FOCUS - Friends of Concord / United South End

Meeting Notes April 16, 2003

Apr 22, 2003

(Friends of Concord / United Southend)
Meeting
April 16, 2003
7: 00 p.m.
72 North Main Street, Concord, NH


Present: Carol Hargrove, Steve Finch, Randy Raymond, Heidi Douglas, Mike
Tardiff, Charlie Bauer, Judy Dickinson, and Amy Currie.

Topics of discussion included the (a) follow-up to the traffic calming
workshop on May 8, 2003; (b) Rollins Park "Green Up/Clean-Up" Day on May 10;
and (c) the Bike to Work day on May 16th. Dickinson pointed out that the Conant
Spring Fair was on May 9th. She noted that this event would not affect FOCUS
directly, but the group should be aware of it.
Dickinson passed out a draft flier for the Green Up Day. FOCUS members
agreed that the final version of these fliers should be distributed along with
the follow up workshop fliers, but separate. The fliers will be sent home with
the students at Conant.
Discussion turned to the follow up workshop, which will be held May 8
from 7 - 9 p.m. at the cafeteria in Rundlett. Bauer volunteered to be in charge
of refreshments, Tardiff offered to provide the PA system, Hargrove volunteered
to contact CCTV, and Currie offered to contact NHPR's community calendar. Flyer
distribution around Town is the same as the 1st Wallwork meeting.
The group turned discussion to Rollins Park Green Up Day. Tardiff
explained that he had met with Sean LaChance of the General Services department.
LaChance had mentioned that a liability form would need to be signed by all
participants of the Green Up Day. He had suggested that participants
concentrate on visible sections of the park. Tardiff recounted that LaChance
had recommended a first aid kit or station.
Tardiff also noted that the swan pond has been selected as a potential
site for wetlands plant education, which would be enhanced if the area were free
of litter.
The group agreed that a representative should meet with general services
as they might be able to provide mulch and dispose of piles of debris. Tardiff
emphasized that we need to know whether or not the city will provide
biodegradable bags and mulch. He recommended that the group determine the best
candidates for a cleaning crew, and keep the children in open areas, while
letting adults deal with less desirable areas.
Dickinson reported that she had been working on publicity. She
recommended that publicity include: the flyers to homes and businesses, CCTV,
posters, Ballard's marquee, and a banner. The group discussed the possibility
of a banner across Broadway.
Hargrove volunteered to go to local hardware stores to solicit donations
of workgloves, potting soil, rakes, etc. Bauer agreed to talk to WJYY and the
local garden center. Fisk volunteered to ask Blue Seal & McLeod's for flower /
donations.
Douglas suggested that the park be divided up and color-coded on a map.
The volunteers will be provided with armbands in colors corresponding with their
section of the park. Discussion turned to where the flowers should be planted.
A member mentioned that the seedling sale at the City Auditorium would be held
before Green Up Day, and that might be a source of donations of plants.
Raymond explained that St. Paul's school was sponsoring a program to
bring elm trees back to Concord. The school has agreed to partially pay for
Liberty Elms, which will be planted at the St. Paul's nursery for two years, and
then later planted in the city's parks.
The next meeting of FOCUS will be Wednesday, April 23, 2003 at 72 N.
Main St., Concord.