#MiddleburyCT #BeautificationCommittee
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
Middlebury resident Terry McAuliffe took on a mission in May 2023. He was determined to revive Middlebury’s dormant Beautification Committee, and he has been working tirelessly to make this happen. His efforts seem to be paying off. He already has lined up eight committee members and three pending committee members (those awaiting formal appointments by the Board of Selectmen)
Appointed members are PJ Hopson, Jessica Schirano, Joannie Rafford, Chip Kuehnle, Cindy Scannell, Patricia Martino, George Tzepos and Harold Zinno. Members pending appointment are Fran Barton Jr., Joe Bernardi and Peggy Gibbons. McAuliffe rounds out the 12-member committee.
At an orientation and planning meeting held May 21, those attending got to know each other and shared their backgrounds. They also discussed the importance of communicating with and respecting the efforts of others who work on town beautification projects – Parks and Rec, the Greenway Committee, Public Works, and even private citizens.
Discussing what they might do, PJ Hopson suggested a greenhouse at Public Works would allow propagation of plants, thus reducing costs and increasing flexibility. He also suggested creating a detailed map of proposed or current beautification sites and said early projects in highly visible locations will build public support for the committee’s work.
First Selectman Edward B. St. John attended the meeting and, as a member of the Beautification Committee back in the 1960s, was able to share the history of the committee and how it evolved. He also explained how Public Works took on a maintenance role as volunteerism declined.
The group decided their immediate focus will be on two projects: the intersection of Tucker Hill and Regan Roads and the Route 64 and Route 188 triangle. At the first location, a revitalization plan is under way for the memorial garden and its surroundings. The project will involve walls, lighting and resilient plantings. At the second, the triangle is frequently seen, even on a daily basis by many residents. Plans for that area include cleaning it up, mulching and introducing hardy, colorful plantings.
McAuliffe is shepherding the project along by arranging meeting dates and creating agendas for them. At the next meeting, Hopson is to present a site improvement estimate for the Tucker Hill/Regan Road project and coordinate it with Public Works.
Site inventory and mapping will continue, Scannell will advise on pollinator-friendly approaches and pesticide-free practices, and St. John will provide contact information for George Hale, who can assist with planning and coordination.
The next meeting will be Tuesday June 3, at 6:30 p.m. at Shepardson Community Center in Room 26. The agenda will include election of a chair, vice-chair and secretary; reports on ongoing projects; and determining when regular meetings will be held.
