Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Beautification Committee Minutes
March 22, 2022
The meeting at the Borough Hall was called to order at 7:07 PM by Committee Chair, Mary Steiner.
The following members were in attendance: Joan Davis-Crowe, Maryann Ellsworth, Dorothy Hadley, Karin Magala, Janine Mastrokalos, Gary Mecca, Penny Mecca, John Palang, Robyn Palang, Sandy Pasola, Monica Post, Christina Ranuro, Chesla Wechsler, Council Liaison Arlene Testa, and Committee Chair Mary Steiner.
Upon motion by Chesla, with second by Sandy, the minutes of the February 22, 2022 meeting were unanimously approved.
Committee Chair Steiner gave the following reports:
Thanked Janine for removing all the Christmas balls from the planters and all members for removing greens from their planters. She also thanked Sue Dietz for donating a ladder which is now in the shed.
As an update, Council will meet with residents adjacent to sheds, but the meeting date has not yet been arranged. John will make shelves for shed 2. Shed 1 contains Christmas decorations.
DPW will replace flags after they are prepped by Beautification members.
Karen Testa will refurbish the Beautification garden signs which are in the shed. Gary has additional spikes if they are needed. The Mayor has instituted a Volunteer Fair which will be held at Fire Company #2 on April third from 3pm to 7pm. Members are needed to man the Beautification table.
The Shade Tree Commission is hosting a program tomorrow regarding native plantings at the Borough Hall at 7pm.
The Boat was removed from the garden on Friday.
A volunteer/volunteers are needed to take over the War Memorial. The hose is being dropped off. There were no volunteers. Gary added that he has a hose reel from Shade Tree with 200 feet of hose.
The planter at the Borough Hall is gone. Plants were not ordered to fill same. The Mayor envisions replacements made of stone or bricks. Gary suggested that the town plant low maintenance plantings and maintain them. Arlene will touch base with the Mayor. There was discussion about giving up planting at Borough Hall entirely. Gary suggested sending an email to all members regarding their feelings on same.
In relation to the Welcome Sign garden, Janine is going to work with Joan and if help is needed will send out an email for aid. Joan, our member Master Gardener, and Janine presented a list of what they might plant. Monmouth County has a plant sale on the fairgrounds one weekend before Mother’s Day. Gary suggested pursuing a grant for substantial planting. Borough Hall sign under tree at corner needs to be redone and the lighting needs to be fixed. Sandy will get pricing and put in for Fisher Family Grant.
Members on list were contacted. Diane M. wishes to remain on the committee but has been battling Covid. She will become active in the fall. Pat P. did not respond. Diane H. and Jim are filling out forms. We currently have 27 members and will go to 29 when Diane and Jim are approved.
Councilwoman Crowley’s email now works.
Questioned the status of the watering truck. Arlene responded that there is only one truck with no current plans for purchasing another. Arlene will touch base with Council Members Crowley and Ramos to speak with DPW Superintendent Trout about scheduling use of the truck during the week.
Town Hall would like to know when Beautification will move supplies from basement. Gary volunteered to go down in the basement with sample bins.
Karin M’s motion, to relinquish control of everything that Beautification maintains at the Borough Hall, was seconded by John and passed by unanimous vote. Maryann will continue to maintain the urns.
Public participation was opened and closed with no member of the public participating.
New Business:
Penny asked that a thank you note be sent to John at Bay Head landscaping for cleaning and mulching the River Avenue garden.
John will get information on builder who donated the wood for the shelves in order to send him a thank you note, as well.
Penny asked about status of rocks at Harvard Garden. DPW has no plans for there. Sandy will see if her daughter is still removing her stones because they can be used there instead of discarded.
Penny also asked about the green paint for the signs. Sandy contacted the original sign painter and will not be able to match the current color. Penny and Gary will pick a suitable color and paint the signs. Penny asked about getting an expandable hose for Parkway and was told to get one at Bain’s Hardware, where the town has an account.
Gary asked about getting Beautification minutes updated on the town website. The agendas are up to date but not the minutes. Maryann will look into it.
Sandy suggested to Arlene that the town clean up the tree trunks by the sheds.
Committee Chair Steiner read from a prepared statement resigning her office of Committee Chair effective immediately. She will remain on the committee and still maintain the gazebo.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:37 pm upon motion by Robyn and second by Chesla.
Respectfully Submitted,
Maryann Ellsworth
