160727 Beautification Working GroupTown of Tillsonburg
Beautification Working Group
Report from the meeting of July 27, 2016
1. Attending
Christine Nagy, Matt Fenn, Corey Hill , Penny Esseltine, John Kirkland
Regrets/Absent: Wendy Cameron, Paul DeCloet, Sue Saelens
Chair Christine Nagy called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
2. Broadway Beautification Continuing Assessment
Response to the urns on Broadway at the intersections of Broadway and Ridout Streets
and Broadway and Brock Streets has continued to be excellent. Plants in the planters
have continued to grow and thrive.
Christine to take canna lily to Matt to replace the one in the container in front of the
Bulk Barn.
Matt to revisit the placement of a planter in front of Scotiabank at the Library.
Matt says 2017 prices for containers will be available at the end of September/early
October when buying shows with major distributors are held.
Christine asked for ball park prices on a sequence of sizes including large (what we
have this year) medium, and small in both round and square shapes. In 2017 we
anticipate purchasing 22 large containers. In 2018 our plan would be to purchase 22
medium sized containers and in 2019, 22 small sized containers.
Christine has marked places for 22 planters on Broadway at intersections between
London Street and Bridge Street. All intersections would have planters at four corners
with the exception of Washington Grand Ave where only two will be placed.
A very rough estimate of cost for 22 large-size containers planted would be $8,000
(22 X $350)
It is anticipated as well that we could provide a smaller container, planted and
delivered with fertilizer, a watering can and watering instructions for individual
store/business owners at about $100.
3. Hanging Baskets
Discussion relating to the hanging baskets on Broadway included the following points:
John reports that hardware is available that would allow us to move the brackets
lower on the poles so that they could hang down from the same height as street
signs.
Currently between Venison and London Streets there are 49 brackets available and in
2017 27 have had baskets planted and hanging on them. The cost of a basic arm for
hanging the baskets is $150.
4. Banners
New banners to hang from the light posts would cost about $110.00 for a 28” X 72”
banner which attaches to a fixed arm at the top and a wiggly arm at the bottom. There
was some discussion about the condition of the existing banners.
5. BIA Watering
Of the $5000 budget for watering downtown Virginia Armstrong reports that in June
the cost was $1400, July $1921, August $1921 with September to be determined.
There has been an extra $25 charged each month for each of the large urns.
It was suggested that we ask Nature’s Choice to continue watering through
September on an every other day basis. The cost for this would be approximately
$1400. These dollars will come from the accumulated donations in the Tillsonburg
Beautification Account.
At the end of September everything will come down.
In continuing discussions about the cost of watering John reports that the BIA puts
this out to tender each year and selects the best proposal.
Municipal support in terms of dollars or labour for watering efforts would benefit the
entire town.
The plan to continue downtown beautification efforts on a multi-season basis would
result in watering requirements throughout the year.
6. Amenity Spaces
Matt has spoken with a few local landscape firms (Courtland Gardens, Shackleton
Landscape) about the Oxford Street and Broadway parkette asking for a cost for the
design work. The committee has agreed to ask for a proposal which includes an idea
(drawing) and pricing. John suggests Oxford Property Management may be interested in
this project as well. It would be the intent of the committee to choose one of these
proposals.
7. Gateway Plans
There was some discussion about beautification in the area of gateway signs. Penny has
talked with Colleen Pepper who says that changes to the frames of gateway signs will not
be included in the 2017 budget. There may be a swap out of the plastic sign itself to
include the new branding logo but the frame and positioning will stay the same.
With regard to plantings there may be a requirement for maintenance and watering
depending on the selection of plant material, especially during the establishing period.
Penny volunteered to take photographs of the existing town signs on Broadway, Highway
3, Simcoe Street, and John Pound Road to aid in planning for beautification in these
areas.
8. Donor Recognition Stakes
Penny has ordered plant stakes to recognize financial contributions to the beautification
project for Tillsonburg Garden Gate, the Knights of Columbus and the Tillsonburg
Horticultural Society from Cutting Edge Signs. The estimated time for completion is one
week.
9. Canada 150
John has secured the services or an artist/consultant to prepare a drawing that will show
a long view of the Broadway streetscape complete with urns (clustered in groups of
three), planters in front of stores, banners, and hanging baskets facing the road as well
as trees and a gazebo in the amenity space at Oxford and Broadway Streets for 2017
and Canada’s 150th. This will be of benefit when presenting proposals to potential donors
to support beautification efforts. The cost for the drawing is expected to be $250 plus
HST. These funds will come from the Tillsonburg Beautification account under the
auspices of the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society.
10. Other Business
Christine suggests that in the absence of Wendy Cameron (who is unable to continue for
health reasons) it would be beneficial to have an additional representative from the B.I.A.
appointed to this committee. John will follow-up on this.
11. Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday, September 14, 9:00 a.m. Marwood Lounge, Tillsonburg Community Centre
Chair: Christine Nagy
Recorder: Penny Esseltine
08/04/16