Chairperson Mary Lynn Ritchings called the meeting to order at 7:02.

Roll Call

Attendees were as follows:  Mary Lynn Ritchings, Maryanne Ellsworth, Mary Steiner, Monica Post, Karen Testa, Dorothy Hadley, Chesla Wechsler, Arlene Testa

Review and approve July 25, 2023 meeting minutes

A quorum was not present so we could not vote on the minutes.  Mary Steiner mentioned using the term DPW vs Sprinkler Company but Mary Lynn clarified that sprinkler problems are reported to the DPW (as in the notes) and they will work with the company.

Treasurer’s Report (Gary Mecca)

Gary Mecca is away, but he mailed a report to Mary Lynn.  There were two monarch garden receipts and one receipt for mulch for Broadway garden relating to funding from the endowment fund (current balance $2471).  The balance in the municipal budget, which includes Arctic Butcher donation and reserve fund  is $3773.50.  The Operating budget has $650 left after planning for this year’s expenses, which gives us some cushion for inflation.

Joining Forces Meeting Report (Mary Steiner)
Mary reported that more quotes are still required for town crier sign.

The Reverse 911 service is only intended to be used to warn about flooding, so there was a discussion as to whether emergency management can use this service for more than that (e.g., tornado warning).

Discussion about possibly, next year, improving the bandshell.  Possibilities: pull down movie screen, better porta-potty, sound system.  If anyone has ideas, feed them into the next Joining Forces meeting.

Rec would like to do more bandshell concerts next year.

All committees should coordinate events with other committees to avoid conflicts.  There is a new person working on the Town website which might help further the joint calendar efforts.

The Tube Race is Sept 24.  You don’t need to be in the Tube race to be in the parade.   The Beautification Committee could participate in the parade, if not this year, then maybe next year.

The Nominate your Block program for trees will be revamped and you can apply for consideration to have a tree as a homeowner, not just for the block.

Mary was asked by two people about the Arnold Ave American Flags that used to hang off the back of the posts (pre banners).  We currently have American Flags on Ocean Ave Broadway, and Arnold, and the banners are on the posts in town to highlight other aspects of the town (veterans, art).

Update on Gardens

Mary Lynn reported what happened at the meeting with the DOT about the area near the Welcome Sign.  She contacted Phil from the state and there was a meeting on 8/10 (Janine Mastrokalos, Karen Testa, Mary Lynn, and Louise Stilluffsen from Shade Tree Committee).  There’s a program throughout the state to do improvement projects jointly with the town (Good Neighbor).  The state will get it going, guarantee plants for a year, and the town takes over.

There’s no way to put irrigation in that area (there is a road under there).  DOT doesn’t plan to do anything with that space, i.e., they will leave it grass.  They do plan to do some edging to keep the grass separate from the beds as well as trim the tree.  The best case scenario for doing the work is in the fall, otherwise the work will be done in the spring.

The area behind our space going towards the gas station will be planted like a meadow (similar to the area near McDonalds).  They may also plant a tree(s) there.   There are drainage issues in that area too, but that will take years to resolve.  The state will eventually install basins.

The state will be planting trees and drift roses in the triangle area at the intersection of Broadway and 35.

Regarding other gardens, they are  looking beautiful and show the amount of work put into them.

Mary Lynn has bags from DPW suitable for discarding weeds.

Mary said she’d help with the garden near the gazebo.

The bunting at the gazebo was vandalized and repaired and it’s hard to tell from a distance.   That said, we’ll need new ones for next year.  They are 6 foot buntings and we order them from the same place we get the flags.

Mary Lynn has been helping Karen Testa with the monarch garden.  Mary Lynn’s husband is building a little library for that area.

Arlene suggested we acquired signs to politely remind dog owners to pick up after their dogs.

Update on Planters/Gardens

The  planters are looking good and are getting watered well by DPW.  The flowers are very full.

Monica Post had some issues with her planters; two mandavillas died.  They are drought efficient and may have had too much water.

Garden Tour Committee Report

Arlene Testa, Karen, Dorothy Hadley, Mary Lynn, Carol Vaccaro from the Chamber of Commerce met on 8/21.   The tour will be June 27, 2024 from 10-3.

Hosting the Tour will be simplified if we leverage the Chamber.  Carol will handle tickets and restaurant coupons.  She will set up everything for tickets once we design it.  Carol can get a discount on printing tickets.  We have been counseled to limit the number of online tickets and then offer physical locations to buy tickets to ensure local residents can get tickets.

Volunteers would be at the Gazebo for Ticket Pickup,  which attendees bring to the gardens.   The ticket will have the garden addresses and the map where they are located.  Carol will advertise on the Chamber website.   We may have refreshments, with a presentation by Molly Boards, perhaps some ukelele playing, and perhaps a flower vendor.  Parking will be at the train station.

Mary Lynn will pull the committee together monthly. She has two confirmed gardens already.

We may want to tap Golden Gulls for volunteers to staff the houses.

School Scarecrow Contest

Mary Lynn spoke to Sandy Pasola regarding the School Scarecrow Contest.  Sandy hopes to be back at school at the end of September.  Sandy has the necessary fliers.

Mary will continue to work with Sandy on this.  Set up is scheduled for October 20^th/21^st.  Voting will be on 10/24 at our meeting.  Goody bags and awards will be handed out before Halloween.

Holiday Decorations

Mary Lynn reached out to Caryn Byrnes regarding where she bought ribbon.  There’s no holiday ribbon available yet on the website they looked at.  This leaves us with no current source of new ribbon.  We will take inventory of ribbon in the shed and then make a plan.  We need to start setting up committees and making bows, etc., as the decorations need to be put up before Thanksgiving.

The Business Improvement District could choose to hire a company to decorate the poles, perhaps starting next year.

The holiday ornament balls on the sticks combined with greens in the planter are attractive.  White birch branches would be a lovely addition.  We may get branches and spray paint them.

Dorothy suggested saving the treillises from the mandavillas to repurpose them in the spring.  We could use them as a platform for Valentine Hearts and St. Patrick’s Day shamrocks, for example. Please save your trellises!

Summer Social

The social is on 8/30 at the Ritchings at 6PM (927 Bay Ave).

Open Discussion

Sue Deitz has decided to step down from the committee.  Sue is a very long standing member.

Mary Lynn complimented Monica on our new Facebook page.  Members should like and share to it.  Monica would like photos of other gardens, if people can submit.

Arlene brought up the Ocean County Out and About magazine.  The Ocean County Cultural Heritage committee puts it out. They showcase our type of endeavors in different towns.  Arlene would like us to get some exposure in the magazine.   She’ll showcase our gardens and planters and the cultural arts projects, hopefully as an entire piece on Point Pleasant Beach.

Public Portion

Meeting adjourned at 8:07