Beautification Commission Minutes

NORTHVILLE
BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
Tuesday, April 20, 2004

Members present:
Hansknecht, Hayes, Lenk, Lestock, Rewald
Members absent: Cusmano, DeMattos, Tague
Guest: Phyllis Hollinger

The meeting was called to order at 7:15 PM

Guest Hollinger was introduced to the members. Lestock advised that she was in contact and invited (4) ladies interested in perhaps joining our group.

OVER THE WINTER:

Lestock discussed the internationally known David Barr ‘Base Line Road’ monument that was installed at the corner or 8 Mile and Center Streets in December. This sculpture is steeped in history. Stop by and take a look. Also discussed were the (4) new entrance signs to the community. Two of these signs are double-sided. The sign at 8 Mile and Novi Roads has three (3) pictures on it.

Steve Heidt is the new Assistant Director DPW (the new Paul who retired in December). We look forward to a continued cohesive working association with Steve and his department.

ARBOR DAY SEEDLING GIVE-AWAY:

This annual event will take place on Saturday, May 1 at 9:00 AM at the Township Civic Center. Lestock ask that all members make every effort to be there to help with set-up, distribution and clean up. The township again ordered the seedlings and again the city did the flyers. (Members at the meeting counted out flyers which were then delivered to the schools by Lenk and Lestock. Along with the flyer packet a cover was included for each school.)

Two (2) maple trees will be planted this Friday near the entrance to Rural Hill Cemetery. Lestock has been in contact with the Northville Record for a picture and a story.

DPW:

Gallogly advised that their will be no Andrew this year. But not to worry watering would be taken care of.

Lestock has been in contact with Gallogly and Heidt in regard to using double cut hardwood mulch in the ‘high profile’ areas of the city:

*The lower clock area

*Sign at the corner of 8 Mile & Center Streets

*The islands on Randolph and Center Streets

*The daylily bed in front of city hall

*The (2) beds and the curb area on the curve on Dunlap Street

*? South Main Rose Bed ?

PLANTINGS:

Plantings will be discussed further at the May meeting. At this time the 2004 NBC Calendar will be distributed. Lestock will contact Donahee Greenhouse to find out if they have (5) large ferns for the downtown band shell.

Lestock purchased 300 tulip bulbs late last November at 75% off and planted and mulched them in the clock planter. (She was skeptical as the 125 daffodil bulbs planted the fall before never came up.) But they all have come up!

The tulips planted by the Elaine Kozar (the bulb lady) are now also emerging. Northville looks beautiful!

Lestock is waiting for a return call from Jan Purtel (Education Partnership Facilitator) in regard to IF the students will be planting this year. Due to the school system cutting back on programs, she is now working part-time.

Lestock also waiting for a return call from Nancy, P&R ‘gardener’ to see what the status of the Community Center plantings will be.

The Genitti building next to the Witch Wall bed had a leak in the basement last November. Gallogly asked that we remove all the plantings to allow them space to dig and repair this problem over the winter. Fortunately it got too cold for us to relocate the plantings until the work was completed. But the work was done in another manner and nothing was disturbed.

MEETINGS:

Lenk advised that the reception for the Jody, the new Chamber Director has been postponed.

Lenk and Lestock will meet tomorrow morning with Lori Ward, DDA Director and Elaine Kozar, the bulb lady to discuss the downtown area plantings.

Lestock will attend the 7:30 annual city ‘Budget’ meeting on Thursday night.

CORRESPONDENCE:

In December Lestock sent thank you notes to Mary Walters, PEO President for their bed maintenance on South Main; and, Tommy Tree for the ash tree removal on the Hillside/8 Mile Road property. The tree removal will continue to allow the Amerman students to use the treed area as an outdoor class room for fieldtrips.

BCSEM:

A 40^th anniversary celebration of the BCSEM will be on Sunday, May 16 at the St. Clair Inn. No members were interested in attending.

NOTES:

Chris Davis has left the Record. Speeding Printing is not longer in business.

Meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM. The next meeting will be Tuesday, May 11. Would appreciate a call if you cannot attend.

Linda Lestock
NBC – Co-Chair

FYI:
Gary Word
Dianne Massa
Jim Gallogly
Steve Heidt
Lori Ward