Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Beautification Committee Minutes
September 27, 2022
The meeting at the Borough Hall was called to order at 7:01 PM by Chair Mary Lynn Ritchings.
The following members were in attendance: Beth Cox, Joan Davis-Crowe, Danielle Dolan, Maryann Ellsworth, Dorothy Hadley, MJ Mitchell, Janine Mastrokalos, John Palang, Robyn Palang, Sandy Pasola, Monica Post, Chesla Wechsler, Mary-Lynn Ritchings, and Mary Steiner.
Upon motion by John, with second by Janine, the minutes of the August 23, 2022 meeting were unanimously approved.
Committee Guidelines: Chair Mary Lynn asked if all had reviewed the guidelines and many members signed that they would abide by same; other members posed pertinent questions regarding some of the individual line items and will wait to sign once those questions have been answered.
Treasurers Report: Chair Mary Lynn reported that there are no Boat Parade Funds in the Community Endowment Fund; there is a $141 left in the Beautification line item of the Municipal Budget after encumbering for the Scarecrow contest, DPW Holiday luncheon and Holiday decorations; plus the Committee received a donation from Arctic Market and there is also monies left in the Fisher Family Grant for the Ocean/Broadway and Welcome Sign gardens. Janine will check if her vendor takes purchase orders for mums, corn stalks and pumpkins.
Mary reported on the Joint Forces Committee meeting: Senior Committee has lots of events planned; the Home Grown Festival will be held on October 23rd from 12 PM to 5 PM; the Manasquan Inlet Tug of War is scheduled for November 4th.
Garden Report: Chair Mary Lynn reported that there is water at the Randall/Niblick garden but if the Committee wants sprinklers there, Beautification will have to pay for it; Administrator Riehl is getting a quote for the Committee to review; Administrator Riehl will direct DPW to weed whack at the O/B garden while they are doing other areas; the County will not get to installing the apron at the O/B garden until next year but the Committee will need to move the stones on the Broadway side.
Janine will organize removal of stones the beginning of November.
Chair Mary Lynn also reported: Administrator Riehl gave approval for painting of posts and Karen has the paint to do so.
Mary asked when the water to the sprinklers would be turned off.
Robyn asked about cutting back the vincas to see if they would come back in the spring. Most members were in agreement that they would not come back the following season. One or two members have had success in their own gardens with cutting them back for the following season.
Planters/Barrels Report: Chesla reported that people have been stopping by while she was watering and commenting on how pretty the planters looked; Maryann added that she had received similar comments.
Chair Mary Lynn reported that she hadn’t yet made arrangements to remove the two barrels on Broadway; caretakers should keep watering; there are grasses in the barrels by the train station – will contact Councilwoman Byrnes who purchased those planters; will discuss removal of plugs and where to keep them over the winter at the October meeting.
Scarecrow Contest at Gazebo: Sandy reported that she has flyers ready to go for the Scarecrow Contest; bought some candy. Discussion ensued about where to buy it with Purchase Order or charge card at Walmart. Sandy and Mary Lynn will decide where to get prizes to comply with committee guidelines. Set-up will be October 21st and 22nd at the Gazebo. The Committee will vote at its October 25th meeting.
Mary is looking for fall decorations for the Gazebo. Mary Lynn will accompany her to the shed to find same.
Downtown Scarecrow Contest: Chair Mary Lynn reported that the entry fee is $10 and set-up is October 15th; voting is after set-up and they will come down by November 1st through 2nd; they must be waterproof and have a name; asked if Committee was interested in idea of scarecrow gardener watering flowers; prizes are $100, $75 and $50; there will be a planning meeting at Joan’s home at 5 PM on October 6th.
Flags: Mary reported that the DPW would be asked to take the flags down at their convenience; will see what shape they are in and encumber funds from the 2023 budget for replacements.
Holiday Decorations for Planters and Light Poles: Mary also reported that the greens have been ordered for the new planters only; they will be delivered to Sandy’s the 2nd week of November.
Mary Lynn asked if the balls on sticks would be used in those planters again this year.
Janine will take inventory of the balls and sticks and order any supplies needed on Amazon as the Borough has an account with them.
Chair Mary Lynn asked the Committee members their thoughts on the light pole which was decorated as a demo; consensus was to go with that design; will meet at the shed to separate the garlands; need ribbon and two sided tape or sticky dots; Karen was going to test the mesh bows in the outside elements; everything needs to be decorated before Santa’s downtown arrival on November 25th.
Holiday Decorations for Borough Hall: Mary and Dave will decorate the Borough Hall. Mary will also be in charge of decorating the Gazebo. Question was asked about who sets up the reindeer..people in charge of gardens set them up. Dorothy has antlers and legs; some are painted and others will be.
Public participation was opened and closed with no member of the public participating.
Old Business: Chesla suggested contact information be added to the Ocean Star blurb advertising Beautification meetings. Mary Lynn will check with Councilman Vitale about getting an email address for the Committee.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:04 PM upon motion by Maryann and second by John.
Respectfully Submitted,
Maryann Ellsworth
