Beautification April Meeting

Beautification Committee Minutes​ Wednesday, April 15th, 2025​ Location In person at Johnson Municipal Building and Remote on Zoom Members (P=Present; A=Absent; R=Remote)​ Adrienne Parker P Johna Keefe A Blake Parker P Kyle Nuse P Lauren Phille PR Jo Marsan PR Summary The committee reviewed eight mini-grant applications and approved funding for five of them. A plan was made to present the approved mini-grants to the Select Board for final approval. During this discussion, a $150 budget adjustment was made for a garden project. The group also considered a $1,200 grant request for a public art initiative and discussed potential alternative funding sources. Planning for upcoming events included: ●​ A plant swap scheduled for April 18, with discussions focused on funding and event management.​ ●​ A mulching session planned for April 20 at noon at the elementary school. The group discussed logistics and costs, noting that one yard of hemlock mulch would cost $45. Additional supplies like cardboard and paper bags would be needed to mulch both the school garden and Cold Spring area.​ ●​ Library Move bake sale April 26th. Food donated by Jenna’s Promise Cafe. Action Items ●​ Post about the plant swap event scheduled for May 18th at 11am on the village green. ●​ Coordinate with the town administrator to see if there is a rototiller available for the community garden. ●​ Schedule a mulching event at the elementary school garden and village green for April 20th at noon. Invite committee members to participate. ●​ Prepare to provide an update on the mini-grant allocations at the next Select Board meeting. ●​ Reach out to Amy Schultz about a donation for plant starters.  ●​ Email mini-grant applicants about the funding decisions and reimbursement process. Outline Meeting Commencement and Initial Adjustments Adrienne calls the meeting to order at 6:12 PM, noting the need to adjust the time. Lauren mentions eight applications for mini grants and suggests allowing extra time for review. Adrienne invites public comment, mentioning an emailed suggestion from Alyx about the plant swap. Approval of minutes from the previous meeting is moved and seconded, with all in favor. Chair Updates Green Up Day and Library Move Update Adrienne provides an update on Green Up Day, including a celebration on the village green with lemonade, barbecue, and a raffle. The library move is scheduled for April 26, with advertising done by Jasmine on Facebook. Discussion on school street traffic and ideas to slow down cars, including planting trees and painting crosswalks. Tom (Town Administrator) and Adrienne are working with Vermont Studio Center on 3D crosswalks, with funding to be discussed with the Select Board. Joint Meeting and Conservation Commission Update​ Adrienne gave an update on the recent joint meeting with the Conservation Commission. She shared with the commission that the Beautification Committee is interested in obtaining funding to hire someone to install rain gardens. The Conservation Commission noted that while they have a wide range of skills and are happy to advise, they are limited on time. Both committees discussed possible installation locations. The Conservation Commission suggested using the installations as educational opportunities for residents. The groups agreed to meet again once potential locations are identified, possibly in October. Jo mentions Dr. Zin from Vermont Studio Center willing to help with rain gardens next spring. Kyle suggests getting Dr. Zin on the agenda to map out steps for the rain garden project. Jo offers to be the rain garden point person and requests contacts for city maps. Library Move Fundraiser and Member Updates Kyle discusses the Historical Society's reluctance to sell pies at the library move event, suggesting the Beautification Committee take over. Adrienne and Kyle agree to sell baked goods as a fundraiser, with Jenna's Promise donating all the baked goods. Kyle expresses the need to step down from active membership due to family commitments. Discussion on the possibility of moving to working session meetings to accommodate members' schedules. Hanging Planters and Mini Grant Applications Adrienne discusses the need for an account to accept donations for hanging planters and suggests posting a donation request on social media. Kyle mentions the need to have money in hand before making a public donation request. Finalizing Mini Grant Decisions Lauren explains the mini grant process, emphasizing the importance of public art and planting projects. The committee discusses all the applicants and decides to fund the following: Lee Gregory - $200 Flowers in Front of Building and a New Sign for Business Diane Lehouiller - $125 Hanging Planters and the Community Oven and Ground Planters Crystal Woodward - $150 Replace a Planter and Purchase Flowers Kim Dunkley - $150 Mulch, Flowers, Fence Rail Hazel Landis - Partially funded at $150 Landscaping, Gardening, and Painting (Excluding Flags and Fairy Lights) Total Funds for Mini Grants = $775 out of Annual Budget Declining Town Entity Projects The committee decides not to fund the Johnson Skate Park's sign project due to limited budget. David Perry's request for the community garden is declined as it does not meet the mini grant criteria. Sue Lovering's request for the Johnson Tree Board to replace a tree in front of the Chinese restaurant is declined due to limited budget and the board's ability to cover the cost. Lauren agrees to send a response to all applicants, thanking them for their submissions and encouraging them to apply next year. Adrienne offers to provide an update at the next Select Board meeting, seeking approval for the allocated mini grants. Adrienne announces a meeting to restructure committees and discuss project ideas, aiming for the end of May. Mulching and Scheduling Tasks Adrienne proposes setting a date for mulching to prevent weed growth, suggesting the next weekend. Jo and Adrienne discuss their availability and the logistics of mulching, including the use of a truck. Adrienne mentions the cost of mulch and the locations to be mulched, including the school garden and Cold Spring. Kyle suggests splitting the mulching task over two weekends to accommodate everyone's schedules. Finalizing Mulching Plans and Equipment Adrienne confirms the first round of mulching for Saturday, with a backup plan for the following weekend. Jo checks the weather forecast, noting potential rain but deciding to proceed. Adrienne confirms the type of mulch to be used and the meeting time at the elementary school, with a Google invite to be sent.