2026-11-05 - Beautification Committee

All right.

We'll

bring our meeting to order.

The time it is uh 4:10

[roll call of committee members; names removed]

We have a quorum, which is the

important thing.

Okay, did anybody

minutes from the last meeting?

>> Yep.

All done.

>> Any corrections?

>> No.

>> Anybody else any corrections?

We'll start sending you the um

we've tried to move it up so it doesn't

come right along with the agenda, but

we've still got to work on that a little

bit.

>> Who takes the minutes?

>> Okay. So do I have a motion to approve

the minutes?

>> Moved.

>> Okay. [name removed] has moved. All those in

favor?

>> Aye.

>> Aye.

>> Okay. I forgot this discussion.

They'll make me watch that thing again.

Okay.

Uh unfinished business. Wave fire wave

fire.

>> skipped communication.

>> Oh, I did. Thank you.

Surely you're going to make a great head

of this group.

>> I'm a gardener. I don't do paperwork.

>> [laughter]

>> All right. We have somebody that's going

All right. Uh communications. Are there

anything from the public or anything

you're hearing out on the street? Yes.

>> There's stuff from me

>> Okay.

>> that I sent I think to you and um

and the music

Committee

of Groton.

And

Did you share that with us?

>> So um

I'm just saying that and and um when I

I've been working with [name removed] at Thrive

55

um and [name removed] always wears her best and

then

but she often works on Sunday when

nobody's there, but we've been working

when people are there and it's nice.

People go by and like, oh yeah,

appreciate you doing that and stuff.

They seem to know that we're volunteers.

But um one for safety and two for

um for recognition that we are Groton

Beautification

team volunteers. Um I had suggested

getting

um

vests and and there's

um one that can have our logo the logo

on the front and actually I did it like

that, but

I think this is the one he sent to me.

It says volunteer Groton Beautification

on the back.

And if we got these, they are available

for

my glasses for like um

17.50

each.

And um

with both, you know, with the logo on

the front and the back and they offer

them in small, medium, large, and extra

large, I think.

And so I didn't know um

[clears throat]

if well, I sent it out also to [name removed] and

[name removed]

the um [name removed]

the Parks and Rec

um the person in charge of the grounds

there who's relatively new in his

position and he and [name removed] came and and

talked with [name removed] and I one day

um when when we were working there.

>> [name removed], he's under Park and Rec and he

he's in charge of the horticultural side

of it.

>> Really?

>> And both [name removed] and [name removed] recommend that

we wear these safety vests because part

of the

you know, safety vest thing.

>> I didn't print out the the

um

>> They approve me.

>> Right. I I didn't print out the one

the communication which also went to you

then and and to the beautification email

I think and [name removed] because those are the

emails that I had

um there.

And so anyway and then there is then I

like or maybe

I don't know this is just a different

a different option that they have that

um is less form fitting and that might

be there. But so I don't know

um you [clears throat] know I'd be happy

to buy them for [name removed] and me cuz it

>> No no no.

>> had that but but

>> Beautification committee has money.

>> Yeah, but we can't spend money on this.

>> Yes, we can.

>> We can?

>> Yes, if we vote on it. Absolutely.

>> We have our own account

besides the NIPS money I mean.

>> Well, I have I have a question um if

this is a requirement coming out of

Parks and Rec shouldn't they provide the

vests?

>> Well, unfortunately

>> It doesn't work that way.

>> Doesn't work that way.

>> [laughter]

>> They're they're recommending very

strongly that we wear these vests.

>> I just said

>> I started I have to wear a vest. Nobody

else was instructed to wear a vest. I

have to wear a vest.

>> [name removed] special.

>> Anyway and it seem

>> thought

where we work there are there are

we work there during the week are we're

working near the parking lot um at

>> a second.

>> And with our logo it would be much

better than just an orange.

>> Oh, yeah. Okay.

>> And then we can save our shirts for

ceremonial things.

>> Okay.

[account balances omitted]

So we certainly

uh could afford to do these.

So uh if somebody would like to put a

motion on the floor.

>> Yeah, I move that we buy whatever we

need.

>> Okay. Was this somebody local or is it

online?

>> It's online.

>> Okay.

Um

>> I wonder if

>> Do they come in Do they come in the lime

green by any chance?

>> Yep.

>> That matches our logo and our um

>> Our t-shirts.

>> I can I could send if I get everybody's

email if you put me in the email loop

then I can show everybody you know send

Right now I just printed out a copy

um

of it but it is lime green with little

reflective things.

>> Would you hold it up to the

>> You can see that [name removed]? [laughter]

>> You can see that there is a piece of

paper.

>> Oh they are lime green. Okay.

Yeah, I like the logo and

the logo here and here.

>> So that would be our regular logo or

just our name our golden golden rescue

oh my god. Um or would that be just

Groton beautification?

>> That the camera

>> I can't really understand

>> Can you see that?

>> Is it me?

>> Yeah, okay. Thank you. Yep. Yes,

perfect. Okay, thanks. Yeah.

>> If you were here you would get the job.

You know that don't you [name removed]?

>> I know.

>> bought everything we've needed which has

been great.

Um

Okay. We have a motion motion on the

floor. Any other questions?

>> How many and what sizes would be

>> You can do that and if you Yeah.

>> Size Yeah, we're going to do it.

>> Have sizes to those things?

>> Yeah, small, medium, large.

>> I hope there's a extra large

ought to be taking it to

>> How it's just for us, right?

>> Yeah.

>> There's only like what six of us?

>> Yeah.

>> Bigger fit six even.

I I don't know

what the sizes would be though.

Did they have anything over there when

you were there [name removed]? Did Did you

anything that they had that was

>> It's It's online.

I was looking online.

>> Are you talking about the place over in

Groton Plaza where they print

everything?

>> Yeah, no, no. I was just wondering if

Parks had anything to show you that they

use size wise.

When we were talking about this with

them.

>> They did not. They did not.

>> Well, how are we going to determine what

sizes then?

>> I know but I'm a small.

>> Yeah.

>> Yeah, I'm

You're a medium or sure.

>> What? A couple smalls and a couple

mediums and a couple larges?

>> No, no, no. We do each each person

individually.

>> Oh, okay.

>> A small or a medium isn't going to do me

any good. [laughter]

Okay. It would be a small, a medium, a

medium, medium,

XX XX large.

So,

all right.

Um,

[name removed] will get you one.

>> What's that?

>> so what about

some of the other volunteers that help?

How does that work? Are they going to be

required to wear them? I mean, we got

like [name removed] and then there's a few other

people that that help.

>> I'm [clears throat] I'm sorry. We're

having a little trouble understanding

you. Can you maybe move a little back

from your mic or something?

>> How's this? Can you hear me now?

>> Yeah, that's better. That's better.

>> Okay. So, there are some other

volunteers. Is this going to be a

requirement

or

is it You know, there's people that just

show up once in a while to help us.

>> Well, they provide that stuff. They've

always provided those things for us

before.

>> Yeah.

>> Volunteers. I mean, you don't really

need to buy

We don't need to buy it.

>> [name removed], what I'm talking about is I'm

like we have an individual in Mystic who

goes and cleans up around the statue

down there once in a while.

Is she required to have

>> How many do we have like that? Is it

>> Uh I mean like when I do the police

department, all of a sudden a few people

come and help us.

>> Actually

it's like when you're cleaning the road

though, Parks and Rec will bring vests

for people to to wear. It just won't

have our logo on it, which is fine

because they're not really part of the

board you know or a regular one.

So I think if if we start off

by getting what we need for our people

that are working presently

and then if somebody wants one in the

future then

they can pay the $17 or whatever it is.

But I think we probably should only take

it for

I guess it would be say the board.

And but we can always get

uh the their orange ones from Parks and

Rec. They have they have them. And it's

like when the Rotary is out there we use

theirs.

>> Okay, so my my question is it's not a

requirement then for all the volunteers

to have them.

>> No.

>> Okay, thank you.

>> Okay, it would be like giving them a

jersey. We're not going to give them a

jersey, you know.

So

okay.

All right then, all in favor?

>> Aye.

>> Aye.

>> Anybody that's not in favor?

>> I haven't been sworn in yet, so I don't

think I can vote, right?

>> I'll switch the link.

>> I'm in favor.

>> Okay.

All right.

[name removed] didn't send you something saying

you'd been approved?

>> I got the letter but I haven't been

sworn in yet.

>> Oh yeah, you got to be sworn in.

>> I have to go down to the town of Hall.

>> You got to be sworn in or it's not

official.

>> Who said that, [name removed]?

>> You have to go to town hall at the clerk

and then [clears throat] you know do the

and then you're official.

>> I've never been sworn in. I just took

the job.

Okay.

Then we will go forward with that.

And what we have to do is

if you want [name removed], we need to put

together just a little explanation of

this and send it to

who helps us with everything, [name removed].

And um

then you can order them and a check will

be cut from from the town will cut the

check.

>> Oh, for these?

>> Mhm.

>> As a reimbursement?

As a reimbursement?

>> All you really got to do [name removed] takes very

good care of it.

>> What's [name removed]'s email? I don't know.

>> Right there, [name removed] up on the top.

Okay.

Do do

purchase.

>> She's in the town manager's office.

Town Hall third floor.

>> We'll get you up there to get you sworn

in.

>> You did it down at the clerk's.

>> Okay. What else do we have under

communications?

Anybody throw you out anybody please

lately?

>> I I have some.

>> Okay.

>> Um I I just want to let [name removed] know I

run the

Groton Beautification email account.

>> Uh-huh.

>> And also and also the Facebook page.

Um so when things go to the Groton

Beautification email address that just

comes to me. It's not like it's a

distribution. And then I forward that

on. I've been forwarding it on to like

[name removed].

Um just so that's just an FYI for you.

Um and I did receive a couple of other

emails which I forwarded on. One was

from an [name removed].

And I

I did anybody get back to her from the

Beautification Committee?

She's the one that wanted do something

um near Amtrak and also near CVS.

>> Yes, I did act I did get back to them

and I explained to them that by the

railroad

we'd have to go to

Amtrak or whoever to ask permission to

do that cuz they own the land.

And the other one

is that

area in the middle of the highway that I

really am not interested in taking on.

It's just too dangerous.

>> Okay, so you've already I just want to

make sure cuz I didn't get any feedback

that

>> Yeah.

>> when I pass something on everybody is

getting back to those people. Okay.

>> I'm sorry. Next time I'll get back to

you and tell you that I've followed up

followed up on it followed up on it.

>> Okay, that's fine cuz I know a reply

went just to the Groton Beautification

Committee email and

and I didn't know if you sent another

one out, but it sounds like it was taken

care of. Okay, great. Thanks.

>> I appreciate that. Never

hesitate to ask did I.

>> Yeah. No, I do. I do cuz it it can get

confusing um

when things come to me and I have to

forward them on. So okay, that's it.

That's all I got.

>> There was one person that she had put

and left a phone number and I called the

phone number and never got back. So I

don't know if that's accurate.

I got no reply.

>> That was [name removed]?

>> [name removed], yeah.

>> [name removed], yeah. I mean that's the email

that came straight from her. That was

her phone number. So if she didn't get

back to you a lot of times I get a lot

of requests and then I never hear

anything back. So

>> I wondered if it was a scam.

>> I wonder it's all the time.

I got to tell my son I did another one

last night.

Going to kill me.

Anyway,

it seemed so you know it's just

terrible. They're so they're so

legitimate when they come across.

>> Very good at what they do.

>> They are. They are.

>> And you are not suspecting because you

don't have that mentality.

>> They got to get it though.

But it was Costco.

>> I know.

They had one from Verizon.

Anyway.

>> Okay. Any other communications? Anything

anybody's been talking about?

Uh I was with a group today and I asked

them I know they're all politicians.

And so I said to them today, do you guys

all watch the um

the meetings? And they said, oh yeah, we

all do. And I said, well, what do you

think about of our presentation that we

did?

And they were very impressed with it.

They had no idea

the amount of work that we do.

And I think if I think I'm very good.

>> That was wonderful.

>> Yeah.

>> It came off very well.

>> Yeah.

>> Thank you, [name removed].

>> Really professional.

>> Yeah.

Yeah. People are really noticing it. And

I think that when budget time comes that

we should not have a problem to get our

usual money.

Which is mainly the purpose of doing

that.

Anything else for communications?

Okay.

Now we'll move down to unfinished

business.

And um

I have been remiss in doing my part for

the wayfinder sign.

I was supposed to get the blocks to go

around it.

And I have not.

>> Not really a big deal.

>> I'm sorry.

>> It's it's not that big a deal.

>> Well, I said that time I said I would do

it. So I'll get it done for the snow

comes down.

>> If you need help,

you know.

>> I need help.

>> Okay.

>> That's good.

>> Do does [name removed] have the number and size

of of blocks that you need?

Or the type of what we're looking for?

>> Actually, I was going to go over and

take a look at what they have over

at of the, you know, the

supply places.

And um

but

I'll get my son to stop and measure it

for us.

>> Okay.

>> Measure.

Yeah, because the that's real why I

haven't I haven't been able to pin him

down to go in with me because the damn

things are heavy.

>> Yep. Oh, I can help with that.

>> You can hold a bunch of them.

Unless we can find some thin ones.

But

we'll see what we can find.

Okay.

>> Do you have an idea of how high the wall

is?

>> It's not a wall. It's not raised.

>> Okay. These are flat stones that fit I'm

right level with the soil.

>> Okay.

>> So that a mower can just and you don't

need a weed whacker.

>> Okay, I understood.

>> Around and you don't need a weed

whacker. That's why they're not raised.

>> Okay.

>> So they're just flat stone. They

shouldn't be much bigger than a foot

because then they're just too big.

>> Okay.

>> And I can measure and draw a diagram of

about the size if you want me to do that

so you have an idea of how many and what

size.

>> That would be helpful because I I don't

know what your vision was, so.

>> I can do that.

>> Okay.

>> Speaking of that, I found this in with

our stuff and I didn't know for sure

surely. I know it's your

Oh, this is the one for the community

center.

>> Oh, this is ancient history.

>> I I didn't know if you wanted a back or

if I should keep it.

Did you ever get that

When I was cleaning out, I found that

here.

Or is that the one that was the problem?

>> Yeah, I have one I have this.

>> Okay.

>> We got all of them.

>> All right. Is there anything I have to

do or is just laying it on the grass? I

mean, do we need to weed out and put

them down without

grass underneath them?

>> Well, yeah, it's better if there's no

grass underneath them.

>> Okay.

>> That soil is very easy to work.

I did it with my just my hand. It was so

easy. So it's not a big deal. I'll make

up a plan so you know exactly how many

and what size.

>> You are great. Thank you very much.

Okay. Um

completed weeding locations. I I think

we're pretty much in good shape with

that out right now. I didn't know what

we needed to do for fall.

Do we do any kind of a cleanup before

the weather

really changes?

>> room one and 117 has not been touched.

It's a

it's a mess.

>> Okay.

>> But nobody touched it because the truck

went through and destroyed the planting.

>> Right.

>> It was not been touched.

>> Okay, but we still not have the sign up.

>> That's not our department.

>> No, I understand that, but we can't do

anything till they put the sign up.

>> Well, we could clean the area. We could

weed.

>> Oh.

>> We could we could do

but that would be something we would

schedule.

And [name removed]'s not here.

So we could do something.

>> I'm unavailable during the week but if

I'm on the weekends, yeah.

>> Do you know where we're talking about?

>> Yes. Yeah.

>> Weed out.

Would you like to join us when we

>> Where's that that's where 117 comes in.

So right there ahead of

>> Honey Penny.

>> Right there ahead of you.

>> Yeah. Honey Penny would be on your left.

It's straight ahead.

>> And it's straight ahead. Yeah.

I hadn't really noticed

like a garden or a

>> It was really pretty when it was first

put in. I I know exactly what you were

talking about. It was beautiful.

>> Good.

>> Yeah.

>> Truck went through it.

>> Did I tell you about the truck going

>> all the plants at the senior center?

Yeah, we have a problem with trucks.

>> What happened at the senior center?

>> van trucks

>> Truck went through the the spruce,

just destroyed it. Truck over the

viburnum, right over the curb and

through the viburnum and destroyed that,

but the root system was really strong

and it came back.

So

we have problems with trucks.

>> Just hear about that truck up on their

highway, up on the bridge?

Was a large black truck, but a regular

truck, right? And the car in front of it

was small.

Went right over it.

Crushed it.

>> Really?

>> Yep.

>> Wow.

>> Yeah.

>> That's worse than running over a

viburnum, running over another car.

>> Okay. So

would you like to pick a date

that we could do it on a weekend?

>> We can't do it I can't without

without [name removed].

>> You need a calendar?

>> It would

We We're retired.

>> Okay.

>> But you are not. So it it would be

something that you would have to

um

>> [name removed], I'm looking at November.

Oh, really, there's only two Saturdays

until

until Thanksgiving, so

>> Is there anything that would work for

you or

>> Would either be the 14th or the 21st.

>> So I think

California on the 14th.

>> That's the Saturday or

or the following Saturday, 21st.

>> Are you talking morning?

>> Whenever you want me.

Morning. Yeah,

um on the weekends is is whatever.

Morning

>> Say okay.

On the 21st, I am dancing at Otis

Library with my dance group.

>> We can talk about

>> But but that's so I could do like 2:00,

1:30maybe.

>> Okay, you're

>> 1:30? Yeah, that's fine.

1:30this this Saturday?

>> 20

21st.

>> Okay.

Oh my god.

>> Get it done and we'd have incentive to

work get it done before dark.

>> Yeah, right.

>> Room 1 and 17.

>> Okay.

>> 1:30 Saturday the 21st.

>> Anything else that you can think of that

we need to

any time in too?

>> I was at par four. You know, I was there

for 15 minutes. I only go once a month.

I was amazed at how easy it was

because when you get it to maintenance

level

>> Yeah.

>> it's a piece of cake.

>> Good. Oh, this looks good, [name removed].

That's my regular spot down there.

>> Oh.

And they've taken the statue from

Burroughs Field.

>> Mhm.

>> And they're sending it off.

>> Right. Yeah.

>> It was literally defaced.

>> Well, hopefully I think I sent out to

you that hopefully um we're planning on

putting up a camera

when it comes back.

>> A camera where?

>> Burroughs Field.

>> Installed a statue.

>> Down at the baseball field at the bronze

one.

>> And somebody defaced it literally.

Scraped across its face and the town

removed it. They sent it

to be repaired.

>> Yeah.

>> And they're going to um

be pay more attention to the security

requirements for it.

>> Yeah, I think we'll be putting a fence

around it

to try to deter

them

getting into it. I don't know. We'll

we'll work on that a little bit when it

comes back, but I thought if there's a

camera

I think it would deter people also.

It would be one of those usually that

when there's activity it comes on.

But I haven't I haven't looked into that

too much, but [name removed] is, so

he was pretty upset about it.

They might [name removed] being our town manager.

>> Solar um

solar

what do you call it? Activated motion

activated things because that's what

they say that the ones that come on

suddenly when

the bad guy's doing something is

you know in combination with the camera.

>> I think we have power there, but we'll

see. But we're going to do something to

try to protect it better.

>> Oh, that's a shame.

>> So aggravating.

>> All right.

>> Anything about the social services

gotten?

>> Well, we

are you talking for the rain garden?

>> Yes.

>> Yeah, we we cleaned that out. [name removed], [name removed],

me, [name removed], and [name removed] from

the

pollinator pathways. We cleaned it out.

Boy, was there a lot of weeds and we

Christine and I went down and we planted

a bunch of different pollinator and

plants that will probably we hope to do

good in that

in a rain garden. So

we won't we'll see what happens in the

spring. [laughter]

But that was at the request of Parks and

Rec that they asked us to do that.

>> Okay.

Just

I want you all to remember when somebody

comes out and asks you if you will do

something, which has gotten to be the

practice,

and I'm really happy that you know

that you got to tell them

to call the chair of the committee.

>> I that was at the meeting that you

couldn't attend over at um

the community center and I did send out

everything to everybody. Um I don't know

what more I can do with that so um

>> Okay. I mean I I I don't want to make it

awkward for anybody but um

at the when we did the presentation if

you listen at the end I asked if the

different departments would please

recognize the statue the the way the

committee is set up and make requests

appropriately.

I mean I can't go up to somebody at town

at at Parks and Rec and say hey I want

you to do this.

I think that they might be a little

upset with me.

So we'll try to work on that a little

bit.

They love you [name removed]. They come after

you for everything.

>> Well I try to follow the proper

protocol. That's why I had a meeting and

and [name removed] was there and I had asked

for you to attend as well because [name removed]

had things that he wanted and I put

everybody on emails and distribution

lists. Um I I

>> [name removed] I'm sorry I'm still not able to

understand you. Can you understand

>> It's okay.

>> Oh for sure

>> It's okay.

>> Too much echo.

>> She said she tried to follow the

protocol and emailed everyone who

>> Oh I got I got no problem with you

[name removed]. You you're phenomenally do a lot

of work. You help us immensely.

So please don't misunderstand what what

I'm

talking about.

Okay.

New business. Um

I asked them to change this and I don't

see where they changed it.

Okay.

All right. Um first thing we have is um

uh because of some things that are

happening right now as far as my

vision

I'm stepping down as chair of committee.

And

I spoke to

what's her name?

[laughter]

And she has agreed if everybody is

comfortable with it

>> Yes, yes.

>> become chair of our committee.

So I'd like to put it to a vote if we

can.

So if somebody'd like to put that on the

table

>> I move that [name removed]

be the new chair.

>> I'll second that.

>> Any discussion?

>> Have you

Yeah, I do have some discussion.

You don't have a lot of history with the

group, of course, but

we need to make sure that she gets

you know, up to speed with some of these

people. Have you met like [name removed] and

>> No, I'm going to I'm going to need

someone to to guide me or at least tell

me who's involved, who to reach out to,

like all the specific

>> I'm not going to go away

>> If we can make that

adjustment, that would be

>> We'll all help.

>> beneficial.

>> Okay.

>> We'll all help.

>> If you have a question, [clears throat]

just

>> Like I don't I don't know all the moving

parts.

>> Right.

>> That's fine. That's fine.

>> You're warm-blooded and that's what

counts.

>> No, she's intelligent. She operates

>> I know.

>> And she wins.

>> I know. I'll still attend the meetings

because I

I kind of have the history of it in my

head and I know almost everybody. So

it's not a problem. When we need to talk

to somebody, if you want, we can go

together and you can meet them the first

time or

however it's comfortable for you.

>> That'd be good.

>> So not not a problem.

That's my only

claim to fame.

So

we voted, right?

>> Not yet.

>> No.

>> I seconded it and that was my

discussion.

>> Any other discussion? Any other

question?

All those in favor?

>> Aye.

>> Aye.

>> That will now be presented to [name removed] and

we will [name removed] to approve it because he's

the

point.

>> Okay.

>> He's the What's that?

>> Doesn't he have to appoint her?

>> Yes. Yes, that's what I was about to

say. He

>> the town manager?

>> Yeah. But for this particular committee,

he appoints the the members once we

present them to him.

Anybody else that goes to the

the committee that the the board of the

the the council has, but this one's done

a little differently.

>> Okay.

>> Okay.

I feel wonderful.

Okay, the mural.

Um

what

what [name removed] has asked is if we would work

with him

to do a mural

behind the council

on the wall.

I don't know what he has in mind, but I

said I would be happy to bring it up

here.

Uh he uh

I say he, but it probably wasn't him

that actually did it,

but um

they have a person to do it and they

have

um a budget.

And um

so but I didn't want to go any further

with it until I talked to the group.

Um because apparently some of our money

is appropriated for a mural

and because we ran into problems with

the contract, we never moved forward the

way we should have.

So anyways,

I think it would be really nice if there

was something behind them so that when

they having a meeting with

it'll probably have a submarine in it. I

don't know exactly what they

>> I hope I hope they do better than that.

How how has it been structured so far?

Would they have somebody in mind?

>> Yes.

And what I

>> They didn't bother to talk to us at all.

>> No, but we're going to have a meeting

and review it. And just

find out today how if we structured the

right right way so that this committee

is actually making the final decisions

on it, We get to see what they'd like to

put up.

>> Okay, I see what you're saying. I

>> Then then go forward.

>> For the design.

>> Right.

>> The design piece.

>> That be okay.

>> Yeah, sure. You know, it's just as long

as we're we work together on something

like that that

you know, includes our expertise and and

input

and

just the first time I've heard about it

is when I saw it on the agenda.

>> Well, I just found out about it myself.

Um

I got to uh

>> Yeah, let's see let's see what's going

on.

>> Would it be wise to meet with whoever

they contracted so we can kind of

find out where their head is at?

>> definitely. Maybe what we could do is do

a special meeting

where it would be with [name removed].

We can see what they'd like to do, talk

about it, see the cost

and all the information that we really

need in order to make an agreement to go

forward with it.

>> Well, you know how we did our other

mural.

I actually sent out and requested

artists to give me

uh

ideas of what they wanted to do. We gave

them kind of a format of what to do

because it was a very specific purpose.

This really should follow that same kind

of format. It bothers me that they

selected somebody without us even having

any input on it.

>> Well

>> I mean, none of those people are

artists.

>> Yeah, I think it was somebody that does

murals that had offered to do it.

But we'll have a meeting with

>> Yeah, let's find out, I guess.

>> Okay.

You know, we could probably if it's

easier, we could probably do that

by a Zoom meeting

and then have the discussion about it.

>> Is this the room where we did our

presentation?

>> Yes.

>> Okay.

>> Right here, the big room.

>> Oh,

>> And the council sit up like this, and

this would go behind them.

So,

we can see what they have in mind. We

could see you if we think it's

appropriate

and

move forward or make suggestions.

>> Sure.

>> [clears throat]

>> So,

okay. I will talk to [name removed].

[name removed] being the town manager.

I'll talk to [name removed]. Would you want to do

it with a Zoom or do you want to get

together?

[remark about a member's travel removed]

Okay. Moving along. We have

Is there a

I didn't know if if going back to I

think what we kind of discussed it if

there was any cleanups that we needed to

assist with.

>> We We haven't done our

roadside cleanup. We never did our

roadside cleanup.

>> here?

>> No, no.

We adopted an area.

>> Oh, we did.

>> And it's too late because everything's

got leaves all over it. So, it's too

late.

>> So, it'll be a spring

>> It's adopted by the Groton

Beautification

>> Yes.

>> Depot?

>> Is it on Route 1?

>> Well,

it's like a trash

>> We go and clean it up.

>> Is that the Is that the road um

you go down Depot Road and you take a

left and you've got the Amtrak

headquarters. Is it that road?

>> Okay.

>> Yeah.

>> We're supposed to do that every year,

and we didn't

We haven't done it this year.

>> It is pretty clean though. I go down

there and walk occasionally. It's much

much better than it was when we first

did it.

>> Well, I think the town's paying more

attention to it now because of the

things that are at the end of it.

>> Yeah, all that junk that was there.

Yeah, I didn't anything there.

>> And I think it's made the people a

little bit prouder of where they are.

Did you ever seen what's down at the end

of it?

>> Um, yeah, yeah, I have. It was used as a

dumping area.

>> Yeah.

But it really looks nice. Have you been

down there?

>> No.

>> If you get down Depot Road

>> Mhm.

>> down just before you would take a left

to Amtrak or go ahead to go out to

>> Love Point.

>> Thank you.

On the right

>> Mhm.

>> they put in a really nice playground.

They put in a bump

>> Pump pump track?

>> Yeah.

>> Yeah, a pump track.

>> And uh there's something else there now

and

that was an area you didn't go near.

>> Mhm.

>> It it just was not a good area. Now you

go down, you see families there, you see

the guys riding their bikes.

>> It's so nice when

>> Yeah, so it's

great improvement.

>> Transformed.

>> Okay.

This holiday tree lightning lightning

sign

I'm not quite sure where that came from.

>> That's a court is private property.

>> Well, it is and but there is a sign on

there that the uh Groton Business

Association put there.

>> Oh, it says holiday tree?

>> Yeah.

>> It's in front of the post office.

>> Yeah.

>> It was the car wash and the post office

is like a grassy area.

>> a big tree and a sign.

>> Yeah.

>> When we had Groton Business Association,

which

I initiated a long time ago

we brought that tree in and planted it.

It was it was big at the time when we

brought it in.

And we were doing so many events down

there at that time that we

we you know, did the sign.

The sign needs to be buffed up. It's

looks terrible.

And uh I was hoping that maybe we could

individually take a look at it. Let me

know what you think.

I don't know exactly

what it would be because I've got to ask

somebody because I think it was

I think it's gold-plated.

I know it at the time it cost us quite a

bit of money.

We used to have um

some pretty nice things going on down

there.

Um

>> Well, they just had the tree lighting,

right?

>> They don't even do that anymore.

>> Oh, they don't Oh, there's no They don't

put lights on the tree?

>> Mhm.

>> Do they put lights on the tree?

>> No.

I tried this year

to get them to do that

and um the group that was planning

things for the holidays wanted it all

down for tree lighting ceremony library.

[clears throat]

So that's all going to be decorated.

So I'm hoping

next year to be able to bring back some

of what we used to do there. We used to

have a great time down there. You know,

we put a stage up, we put a tent up, we

had Santa Claus, we had all the churches

come and sing.

We had a

um

Oh, I can't think of the name of the

Like a light parade?

>> We used to have that.

>> We still have the parade. That's the

parade.

>> We have it on the Mystic River, right?

The light parade. Oh, there's a

different

>> only parade we have now is the 4th of

July.

>> right.

>> We used to have a Christmas parade where

we used to do when we had the Groton

Business Association.

We did a fall festival

in the park down here.

And the money we made from that, we then

paid for everything for the celebration

where the tree was.

But um

the chamber quite honestly was supposed

to be doing that, but it didn't continue

on.

Oh, maybe someday we'll bring it back.

But I don't know what this lighting sign

is. Holiday tree lighting sign. Maybe

that's a little sign and and got changed

around.

But I would like to

to do it and hopefully maybe we could

participate and getting it cleaned up.

Maybe put some few plantings around it.

>> That's not Groton Town property.

>> No, I know. It belongs to [name removed]

>> Private property.

I think it's the people that own the

plaza. That's their property.

>> Yes, I know that.

But we had we had an agreement with them

and we never got rid of

We just We got rid of what we would do.

Well, we didn't get rid of it. We just

stopped doing it.

But

[clears throat] um

I know how you feel about it, [name removed],

but this sign is kind of important to

me.

If I could get a number, could we at

least discuss it?

>> Sure.

>> Thank you.

Okay.

It's just only about this big.

But it

says, you know, that the Groton Business

Association

managed to agree and

I don't remember exactly

>> So um I have a question. Do you have a

contact for us that we could reach out

to if we make the decision that we're

going to

either like do something to to re to

refurbish the sign that we would have to

contact them and let them know our plans

and

>> That would be [name removed].

>> Okay.

>> [owner names removed]

>> Okay.

>> So

we definitely have somebody we could

talk with about it.

>> Okay.

>> Um

discussion of sculpture installations.

How are we doing with that?

>> Well,

you will recall perhaps that

this was originally an idea that [name removed]

had.

She saw this thing that is down in

New Haven

>> Yeah.

>> which is this

>> big

>> shadow shadow figures

>> Yeah.

>> It's uh

>> close to the hospital down here, and I

[personal remark removed]

case anybody hasn't seen it.

But it's that's a big I don't know what

that would cost to do something like

that today. It'd be like quarter million

dollars easy.

Cuz it it's cross two buildings and it's

like 10 ft high and

Anyway, it's a big deal, but [name removed] has

suggested she'd like to have at that

time when she was talking about

something in front of the community

center

that would be inviting.

So I said I could design something, and

I did. And and

I brought it to the meeting that we had.

This is it.

Just so everybody

And there different iterations of it,

too. There's another one.

I mean, you could

I could do different versions.

>> any any idea of approximate dimensions?

>> Yeah. That would be 7 by 10 ft.

7 ft tall.

>> place for this at the community center

on the side that faces the town hall.

>> Yeah.

>> They're perfect for it.

>> Yeah.

>> It's level and it's just the right size

and

>> It It It'd be great. Yeah.

So that's what that is. Now, I did get

some numbers

from a local outfit down in Mystic. They

do this kind of thing.

[clears throat] It It would be $12,000

installed.

Now, if if we went to a

like if I was a well-known sculptor

[clears throat]

across the United States, nationally

known,

this kind of a thing would be like

$50,000

you know, because that's what it would

cost

to have some somebody do it.

It's not that difficult really

to put together.

It would be 1/2 in aluminum.

And it would be The base is really

important and it would need to be uh

put together by somebody that knows what

they're doing.

And And we have somebody that we could

use like that plus the Public Works

Department.

So it could be done.

Uh the numbers are are fairly accurate.

I sent it over to uh

[clears throat] When we were at the

meeting, I gave it to um

[name removed], gave him a picture.

And they're thinking about it. There was

They had a meeting yesterday, I believe,

to see whether they wanted to do

anything with it or go forward or what.

I haven't heard back, so I don't know.

But that's where it is right now.

>> Okay.

>> And uh

>> You don't think it'd be better in the

front where more people could see it?

>> Well, the problem with the front is soil

is angled.

And when they cut Where

are you suggesting it go?

The The grass would be completely

removed and you put in a ground cover.

>> Mhm.

>> In the front, you've got angled soil,

which creates a problem when you're

going to put something like this in a

turf grass area because when you mow on

an angle

so it's a little more difficult. That's

what I'm thinking about.

That's why I'm not suggesting the front.

>> How about if we leveled it?

>> Leveled what?

>> The ground.

>> Terraced it?

>> I mean

>> Terrace Terrace it?

>> Yeah.

>> It's It's not really

I don't know. I don't know why they It's

angled.

So when you

What they'd end up having to do Right

now, they just use mowers.

You put something like that in a turf

grass area, then they're going to have

to weed whack around it and they can't

mow.

>> Oh, you mean in between the the

sculpture?

>> The building and the side of it

and the sides. That's

I'm thinking about low maintenance

>> Right.

>> because if you put something that makes

it harder for them to mow and then they

have to weed whack as well.

That's all I'm thinking about. That's

why I'm suggesting this area on the

side, because this area on the side is

very suitable for it. There would be

nothing but a ground cover. There

wouldn't be any mowing.

>> I wouldn't be that concerned about about

the maintenance on it, surely. This

would be kind of like the one that is

over in front of the

senior center now, Thrive 55. They put a

big concrete base on there, and they do

mow they do

weed whack around it. And in fact,

they've knocked off a couple of the

lights that are there.

But

this would have to be

pretty good size for a base. I'm not

sure that you can

you can really

put that down into the soil

and have it be maintenance free. I think

I don't know without actually discussing

with the people that would install it,

but I think it would probably have to

sit up on top.

>> And not

>> Yeah.

And I don't think it would be that

difficult to to maintain it

around it, I should say.

>> Yeah, but the base would have to be

level.

>> No, I don't think so.

>> Too much of a slope in the front of the

building. I don't remember what it looks

like.

>> Maybe a site visit with the contractor

with with the the installer where

they're like, yeah, this could work and

then and then

>> I think we're putting the the cart in

front of the horse here,

because really what we need is we need

[name removed] and that bunch to agree to do it,

put it in front there because it's, you

know, town property and everything.

>> Well, would it be public works that we

would be working with more than

>> Yeah, but I mean as far as actually

doing something like this, putting it

together

>> And [name removed] does the mowing.

>> The maintenance would be

something we could discuss after the

whole thing is the project is agreed to

and figured out how to pay for it

and so forth.

>> You thought it

>> might run about how much?

>> You still

>> It'll be 12 to $15,000.

It'd be spectacular in front of that

thing, you know. It'd really look good.

And it would be a welcoming addition

sort of Well, here it is. Welcome to the

community center and thing.

>> Right.

I'd probably like to pursue it.

Uh I'm thinking that maybe what we could

do is um get a little more information

then do a present go to the when they're

working on the budget

go and ask them for some money to do it.

>> Well, they have some money. I think

Parks has some money to do something

with this. And if we wanted to I'm not

sure how much it would be from our point

of view, but we could

maybe chip in something too.

>> Oh, yeah.

>> Make it happen. And I'm The town has

money that they can use for

discretionary purposes too.

>> Do you remember

where we have [name removed] what you can do

with NIPS money?

>> I'm not I'm not sure that I have

anything on that.

>> All right. It's got to be something that

we can recycle.

>> do what we could actually do with NIPS

money because if we could use NIPS

money, we've got almost $25,000 we

haven't used.

>> Yeah, but it doesn't you have to have

something to do with recycling?

>> I don't know.

>> Yeah. I'm

I'm pretty sure that's what it is.

>> the primary objective as much as it was

recycling. It had to be something with

recycling. Who could we reach out to? Do

you have a contact?

>> I beg your pardon?

>> Who would we reach out to?

>> I'd start with [name removed].

>> Okay.

>> Yeah. I mean at town manager.

>> Nothing goes

Nothing goes unless it goes through

[name removed]. Simple as that.

>> to find some history about how you know

>> Um he's actually

really behind this type of thing right

now.

>> Yeah.

>> He really

>> Yeah, he was he was fairly positive when

we did meet with him about the

sculpture.

>> So what we could do is meet with [name removed]

>> Okay.

>> see what his thoughts are about it, find

out if we could possibly use the DIPS

money

and

move forward with it cuz I'd love to see

it happen.

I think it'd be great.

>> Yeah, I do too.

>> I imagine

thinking about what

just what's the depth? Any idea just

approximate?

>> I I do have some dimensions on that.

Um

>> Just ballpark. Is it 1 ft?

>> No, it would probably be closer to 2 or

3 ft.

>> To support the weight of the

>> Yeah, it's it's got to have You can't

see it here, but there'd have to be some

kind of structure on the back of some of

these figures. We'd have to figure out a

way to do that. It can be done.

But do you

Can you recall what the sculpture looks

like over at 355? On one side it's

just metal like that, but on the reverse

side

it's got a lot of bracing.

>> Yep.

>> The same thing would have to be done

here.

>> And I think the base in order to create

the base you're going to need to know

the dimensions of the sculpture and the

weight.

>> We have all that information. I have all

that

>> thinking if it was put right next to the

sidewalk

>> We in front of the building you mean?

>> If you're in front of the community

center, if it was wasn't too deep

it could be put right next to the

sidewalk.

>> yeah, it wouldn't be any bigger than

like 3 ft.

>> of an angle to deal with.

And I think that would give more of a

shadow too.

>> Mhm.

>> All right. Well

I think what we should do is start with

the town manager

and we probably have to

do a Zoom with you since you're leaving.

>> That'd be fine.

>> And you have the expertise

>> Cuz this is going to take a while to put

together anyway.

>> Yeah.

>> But yeah, I have all

>> the information

[clears throat] how to make it, how to

put it together, how much it would cost,

who would do it.

>> Can you get that to me?

>> Yeah, I can.

>> Sure.

>> All right.

Well, actually no.

I know [name removed]'s going to approve of it.

But this is

>> We have to vote on which one we like. I

like that one.

>> Yeah, that's the one that's the one I I

finalized that particular design. Yeah.

>> Yeah, star on it. That's that's neat.

>> Okay.

>> I think it's because

the eye moves this way.

>> Well, the one thing that the parks was

really

important for them anyway was that this

be kind of a universal thing.

>> Ambiguous when you look at it.

>> it to be really inclusive

as far as the way it looked.

So

like you can see there's some like

hairlines here and so forth. Those would

all be eliminated. So when you look at

it, you can't tell if somebody's black,

white, or or aged.

But yeah, exactly.

So I did

I did talk to the uh

>> thinking about the the forms.

The forms fit together in the how the

eye moves.

>> Yes.

>> I don't I don't like that one.

>> Oh, I see what you're saying.

>> Yeah.

>> Oh, it brings you here and then brings

you back here. Is that how you when I'm

looking at it? Yeah. I see her for

whatever I my eyes literally and then I

find the next

>> and the children.

>> You see a a

when I look at it, I see a line like

that which is a nice line.

>> Yeah.

>> Right.

>> So would you like to talk to [name removed] about

it? That's the next step. Okay.

>> Maybe a good time

for you to meet him

and talk about [clears throat] this.

>> I feel like that.

>> Want to hang on that one any reason?

>> Wonderful.

Uh

would somebody like to put on the floor

that we're going to go go forward make a

motion to move forward on the sculpture

for the community center.

>> I move that we move

forward with a sculpture for the

community center.

>> Okay. All those in favor?

>> Aye.

>> We need a second.

>> I'll second. I'll second.

>> Yeah, keep me honest.

Okay. All in favor?

>> Aye.

>> Aye.

>> Great.

Okay.

Okay. I think that just leaves us with

our schedule.

>> Yeah.

>> Yeah, I'm with you. I just write the

dimensions on the back of this thing for

you. Got it.

>> Uh

they've asked for us to approve

the schedule for 27th.

You want to pass that around

>> Is it every month?

>> Yes.

>> Every month on the first Thursday at

4:00.

>> Okay. I've got another meeting, so I'm

going to have to split.

>> Okay.

Thank you very much.

>> My pleasure.

>> You'll be zooming in for us, right?

>> Absolutely. I'll be there.

>> Great.

>> Every Thursday.

>> Once a month.

>> Once a month.

>> I think that was sent out to everybody.

I got it online.

>> Okay.

Every first Thursday?

>> Every first

>> Every first Thursday at 4:00.

>> See you later.

>> Bye-bye now.

>> Thank you.

>> Uh at this other thing that I had

meeting

I was going to try to get the tree lit

down at the plaza, but there's um

there's two things that are going to be

happening down between the library

and the senior center.

>> That's where the war memorial is.

>> Right, but out behind it.

Um they're doing

uh keeping spirits bright.

And then there's a group. I'm not too

familiar with them. I've got to get in

touch with um

you know I know the the woman that's

ahead of the committee.

Um

they do a thing for the kids down there.

Um

and they apparently this year it's going

to be bigger.

Uh

the the two committees are working on

different things that are going to

happen.

[personal background of a private individual removed]

there's going to be a display with

candles.

And then there're going to be activities

that are going on around it.

So um

that 's why I decided not to pursue

trying to do something with the tree

this year.

The couple of the meetings like cuz I've

been going to the meetings. And anybody

that would like to be part of the

meetings there is there on Zoom. I'd be

happy to get the

get the information out to you.

>> What group is it?

Parks and Rec?

>> Actually no, it's [name removed] that's

been doing all the work on it, but she

lives in Florida. So we've been doing

our meetings on Zoom.

We have a local group though.

We have uh

[name removed] from the Parks and Rec.

We have a counselor from East Lyme.

The

senior center is involved in it. We got

several people from there.

The

um

Chamber of Commerce in Mystic is

involved.

So, they've been working together to try

to form this celebration that reaches

out to all different kinds of people.

Basically, it's what what it is.

It should be quite nice.

I got to get the two groups together

though. They're they're get both out

here doing like this and I got to get

them together and talk. But I think it's

going to be nice. It's the first time

trying something like that.

From what I understand,

they'll have the horse

pulled hay wagons again which they had.

And I think they're also going to have

some kind of a train running around the

entire area for the little kids.

>> Oh, sounds nice.

>> And um Rotary's doing cocoa again and

they're having a uh tree

a Christmas tree contest, decorating

Christmas trees.

And

>> They've done that before at the senior

center, right? Or maybe the senior

center does it.

>> Yeah. Yeah. It's all

coming together. They're all trying to

They're

trying to get everybody together to say

what they're doing is Right.

a challenge. But it should be quite nice

because every year it's growing a little

bit. And now they've got this other

aspect of it which I think is great.

Because there are a lot of people that

lost children and

very seldom is there anything where

they're included.

So, I I think I think it's a wonderful

idea and hopefully it'll

be appreciated by the people.

So, I figured we'll

I'll try to work on something for next

year

in my capacity as just a member.

[laughter]

Oh.

Any questions?

>> What

do I need to um

how do I apply in a way that works. I've

done a number of things and and you

still haven't got the message. So if um

and I guess [name removed] would be the one who

could put me on the add me to the email

distribution list.

>> No.

No, I'm not. That that uh you mean for

the meetings and stuff?

>> Yeah.

>> [name removed]? No, that that would be [name removed]

Hilton or whoever is doing it for her.

Again, I'm I just have the Groton

Beautification email address and

Facebook.

>> Okay.

>> I'm just a collector of stuff that comes

in basically.

>> And that's who I would reach out to to

get the application that I filled out to

become a permanent member.

>> Okay.

>> Yeah.

>> It's online, right?

>> Are you Are you on our text She sent it

to me on a text now.

>> How do we get her on the text? You know,

the group text?

>> One phone number is right there.

>> Yeah. I'll

[name removed]?

>> Yes.

>> I haven't gotten the

text time.

>> A group text? I mean there's really not

a group text cuz we all have our own.

>> I will have um

I'll take care of it.

We'll get you on there.

But also, if you go online,

there's a form there for anybody that

wants to join a committee.

And if you fill that out,

send it to [name removed].

>> Would [name removed] have a form or is it only

online?

>> I No, but I think I Yeah, I did it, but

I went to the wrong place. I can also

>> Okay.

>> ask for it.

>> want to send it to the town

>> It might be still sitting at the desk at

at Thrive 55 cuz [name removed]'s like just leave

it for me there.

>> Yeah. Well

>> No.

>> But send it to

>> [name removed].

>> Yeah.

And then she'll make arrangements for

you to meet with [name removed]

>> Mhm.

>> and we'll get you sworn in.

Cuz as I say, it's not a a different

legally because of the fact that he's

only one that can appoint people to this

committee.

Normally it would go to the council. The

council will eventually after [name removed]

approves it

then at the next council meeting they'll

vote on it.

But there will be no problem.

>> And

the presentation that you mentioned is

that that I think you said [name removed] made

that is that

posted? Um is that on our Facebook or

>> [name removed] is it on our Facebook?

>> Or it's on the town's website.

>> I did I did not put it on Facebook. Um

if you guys want me to I can but I you

know I wouldn't do that without

your permission.

Um [name removed] I can send you the link to

it. It's a it's very big so I can send

you a link to it through Dropbox and

you'll be able to view it there.

>> Oh that's a great that's a great idea.

Thank you.

I'm curious to it sounds like it

encapsulates a lot of what you guys have

been working on.

>> She did a real professional job.

>> Did you get to see it?

>> I did. I wasn't there when they

presented but it was nice.

>> They did a nice job.

>> We did before and after.

>> Mhm.

>> Showed what it looked like

and then showed what after it had been

worked on.

>> Yeah.

>> And it was very impressive. The council

had no idea of all that we do.

>> Yeah.

>> None at all so

uh

I wanted them to see that but also I

wanted this so when budget time comes

they've got the information and we

should be

good to go.

>> Yeah I don't think there'll be any

problem.

>> I don't think so. I think we I think

they should be pretty happy with it.

>> So just one thing

so going forward that's why I'm always

telling people to take pictures before

they clean up an area and take pictures

after

in case we have to do that in a couple

of years again.

>> I I sent some before and after pictures

this afternoon. Did you get those to the

beautification

>> I haven't I haven't logged on yet, but

um I will I will look. So yeah, that's

um I just

want to make sure, you know, if there's

a big job done cuz it um

it it worked out well for the

presentation.

>> Yeah.

Yeah, I did send some to the

beautification committee Gmail this

afternoon cuz we just finished the big

section.

>> Great. Thank you. And a lot of times

I'll take those and also put it on

Facebook to show the difference of, you

know, this is what you you guys have

done. So

>> I think it I think it's great. I mean,

it's it's like

the kind of work that a beautification

committee does

you want to be visible and people like

[name removed] and I have said, somehow they

only notice when it looks bad.

[laughter]

But but so you really have need that

before and afterwards.

It used to look bad. Do you remember?

Not really. Well, look at this compared

to that. Okay, you know, it's like I

think visibility is visibility is really

important.

>> starts to look bad, look at that mess.

>> [laughter]

>> People are funny.

Us included.

[laughter]

I'm sure.

>> All right.

And anytime you want, we can get

together and talk about some of the

personalities you're going to have to

meet.

>> Okay.

>> Yeah.

>> Okay.

>> We haven't ever run into any real

obstacles.

>> Oh, no. Everybody's really cooperative

and helpful.

>> That's good.

>> And um

>> Do we have to adjourn?

Yeah, cuz it's it's it's yeah, it's

5:20. Do we have to

>> Yeah.

>> Who who

So you take the notes and then does who

writes them up? You write them up?

>> Actually, those are just for myself. We

have a lady that is going to either be

listening now or viewing it. And her

name is [name removed], [name removed], I

believe it is.

And she does the minutes. I've just got

to get in touch with it and say, look,

we need them

dispensed, you know, so that everybody

has them for the meeting here.

>> Right.

Yeah.

>> So

yeah, fortunately that [name removed] put that

together for us because we were having a

problem trying to find somebody that

could do it.

>> Yeah.

>> So

he's really he's really very supportive.

>> Yeah, that's great.

>> Yeah.

>> It's fun to meet people. Congratulations

on your new unpaid job.

[laughter]

I know, right?

>> You do a pretty good job though, triple

your salary.

>> [laughter]

>> I agree to that.

>> We'll get you on the retirement plan and

you can get two retirements.

>> [laughter]

>> All the weed you can eat.

[remark about a member's employment removed]

Do I hear a

>> Motion to adjourn?

>> All those in favor

at 5:20.

>> Bye everybody.

>> Bye. Hey [name removed]. It's second. There is