Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Beautification Committee Minutes
May 23, 2021
The Zoom meeting was called to order at 7:02 PM by Committee Chair, Mary Steiner.
The following members were in attendance: Danielle Dolan, Maryann Ellsworth, Dorothy Hadley, Maureen Kale, Karin Magala, Jeanine Mastrokalos, MJ Mitchell, Gary Mecca, Penny Mecca, Barbara Palombo, Sandy Pasola, Monica Post, Mary Lynn Ritchings, Alan Steiner, Moises Vasquez, Chesla Wechsler, Committee Chair Mary Steiner, and Council Liaisons Andy Cortes and Arlene Testa.
Upon motion by Sandy, with second by Alan, the minutes of the April 25, 2021 meeting were unanimously approved as read.
Committee Chair Mary Steiner thanked Sue Dietz, Mary Lynn, Gary, Penny, Council Members Arlene and Andy, and all those who helped placing, filling and planting the planters and planting and mulching the gardens throughout town.
Mary Lynn, planter project coordinator, thanked all as well. If there are any issues they should be reported to her. She expressed concern about the planter’s fill-caps. It was approved to order extra caps as there was a little extra left from the planter grant. Watering should be done directly into the water reservoir and a funnel will be needed to do so. Liquid fertilizer, which Chair Person Mary is storing, should also be added several times over the summer. Additionally, the reservoirs will have to be emptied in late fall and filled again in the spring.
Chairwoman Mary announced that there should be 18 vincas planted around each mandevilla in the planters. Old barrels are still in use on Broadway and parts of Route 35.
A question arose about the barrel by the Broadway 7-11, which hasn’t been maintained by the Committee for at least 5-6 years. It was decided to plant vincas there which Danielle volunteered to water. Since “Duke’s” is currently closed, but will soon be operated by a new owner, it was decided to leave the barrel there, replace the tree, and reach out to the new owners once they are established.
Chairperson Mary reported that John & Robyn have bowed out of helping with the boat garden, although, Robyn did apply Preen before she became ill. MJ will therefore require assistance with weeding. Moises volunteered to help at the boat garden; text him when he is needed.
As the sprinkler company does not check the pattern of the individual heads, Penny volunteered to help MJ by showing her how to turn on the sprinklers on the west side of Broadway.
Chairperson Mary stated that Gary and Andy would be erecting the little flags. She also talked to Municipal Clerk Farrell and the Committee can start having meetings in the Council Chambers starting June 22nd.
Discussion ensued regarding placement of restored lifeboat, circa 1980’s, at Route 35 Welcome Sign. The boat would have ‘Point Pleasant Beach’ painted on the side; measures 14’ X 4’; and will take up 22’ as shown in rendering emailed to all committee members. It will be affixed with a lock to cement in the ground and can be easily removed for display at special occasions. While some members were in favor of the project moving forward even on temporary basis, others expressed the following concerns about the following: State requirements and approval as it is State property (our chairwoman is coordinating through Administrator Riehl); will cheapen the Welcome sign; will look like it washed up there; it would be more appropriate by the Inlet ‘Fishermen’s Memorial’; hazardous, as it’s between both 35N and 35S, and it might encourage picture taking there or young people might to tempted to climb all over it (it would have a protective top); might invite vandalism; who will paint and maintain it as current rowboat is difficult to maintain (can be removed for maintenance); who will be removing it, how often it will be removed for special occasions, how long it will be gone, and how the removal will affect the garden planted there; the bright white color will take away from the sign; and vandalism. Discussion was tabled as the boat will not be ready until late July/early August.
Public participation was opened and closed with no member of the public participating.
Gary talked to Anne Lightburn, Shade Tree Commission Chair, as she has extra trees to plant on Borough property. He suggested Elizabeth Avenue or Niblick Street. Council Liaison Cortes reported that there would be a split rail fence and arbor vitaes at Niblick along with the replacement of signs and planter box. Gary and Chairwoman Mary added that the sprinkler system in the planter box was crushed by heavy equipment. Councilman Cortes will check into that.
Penny asked about getting a sign for the northern side of the lake (Louise) like the one on the southern side. She also asked for a dump of white gravel for the Boston and Harvard garden. Dorothy added that it’s a large area to weed. Chairwoman Mary will look into it along with Councilman Cortes.
Sandy reported that she had started weeding at the Point. Penny added that she had spoken with Bay Head Landscaping which will go back there. Sandy and Penny will meet there and review what needs to be done.
Meeting adjourned at 8:03 pm upon motion by Alan and second by Maryann.
Respectfully Submitted,
Maryann Ellsworth
