151210 Beautification Working Group MinutesTown of Tillsonburg
Beautification Working Group
Marwood Lounge, Tillsonburg Community Complex
Thursday December 10, 2015
Present: C. Nagy, P. Esseltine, M. Smith, J. Kirkland, S. Saelens, C. Hill,
V. Armstrong, P. DeCloet
Regrets: M. Fenn Absent: W. Cameron
Call to order – 9:05 a.m.
Business Arising from the Minutes
Marian Smith was omitted from the attendance of the last meeting’s minutes.
The paragraph & sentence regarding grant money should read: “There is special grant money in
amount of $5,000.00 in this year’s budget.”
With regards to pots on the intersection corners, there are concerns about snow removal. If they
are put within the block, sight lines could also be a concern.
Monetary Contributions from each group
The Tillsonburg Horticultural Society has $1000 to help with Broadway beautification there could be
an additional $1,000 available depending on plans.
The Tillsonburg BIA has a possible $5000 that is normally used for watering that could be redirected
towards other Broadway beautification efforts.
Tillsonburg’s Parks and Recreation Department could access possible funding, depending on the
Business Plan from this committee.
Other possible funding groups:
Wilkinson Fund via Oxford Community Foundation – There are funds available, though we need
to make an application.
ACTION: C. Nagy to find out about Oxford Community Foundation
Tillsonburg Lions Club
All Committee members in attendance agreed that a Short-term and Long-term Plan is needed.
J. Kirkland stated that we need a real clear picture of our phased plan. The BIA budget has been
passed so BIA Committee members have to take the plan for the downtown core to the BIA AGM as
it is their monies. The next AGM is early next year, with another in November 2016.
Are we doing the planning or hiring a consultant?
C. Nagy indicated that a preliminary Phase 1 should be 2016, with the central downtown core of
Tillsonburg as the target. This would be Broadway between Brock & Washington Streets.
All agreed that 2017 would be the official launch year with Phase 2 being all of Broadway between
London & Venison Streets.
All Phases would be dictated by budgets.
Possible Consultants
P. Esseltine shared information from Fanshawe College, who have 3 programs related to the project
that we are looking at. Programs are available during the school year. In the summer student co-
op is available, which is paid at minimum wage. Bachelor, Environmental Design and Planning, or
Landscape Design can be done during the year.
Committee members stressed that the accepted Heritage Theme will need to be followed during the
planning stage.
ACTION: P. Esseltine to contact Fanshawe College before the end of December 2015. To ask
for a 5 year plan, Phase 1 Downtown - Venison to London St. to start and then roll out into
other areas.
J. Kirkland that Interior Decorator Sandy Livermore is not be interested in this project.
J. Kirkland also distributed a proposal from J. Berzins for distribution to all committee members
There was discussion that if permanent planters could not be purchased in time for the 2016
Spring/Summer season, that we rent containers.
ACTION: P. DeCloet to ask M. Fenn if we could rent 2 dozen containers for next year, 18”
round or square
V. Armstrong recommended a sponsorship program for planters, whereas the could pay an annual
fee to sponsor a planter
Bob Marsden needs to be sent a copy of the Committee Minutes
Next Meeting: Thursday January 14, 2015 at 9:00 a.m Annex Meeting Room at the
Corporate Offices (2nd floor of the Tillsonburg Town Mall
Adjournment: 10:07 a.m.