FROM THE NEWSROOM: Throughout the summer, patrons of downtown Putnam have seen a series of changes to the Union Square parking lot. Due to the work of local businesses, the Putnam Public Works Department, and the Putnam Business Association Beautification Committee, several of the parking lot’s islands have been revitalized with flowers and mulch. This is the latest success in the collaborative relationship the town shares with merchants and residents, according to a recent press release. The parking lots of downtown Putnam see a lot of car and pedestrian traffic throughout the year and often can make the first impression for visitors new to the town. The upkeep of the garden islands and perimeters of these parking lots can be demanding for town workers and this spring some forward-thinking businesses saw an opportunity to help keep the town beautiful. In the spirit of community involvement, Generations Family Health Center got the ball rolling by approaching town Economic & Community Development Director Delpha Very about adopting one of the islands in the Union Square parking lot. Seeing an opportunity for the town and Generations to partner on cleaning up one of four islands in this high-traffic area of town, Very contacted Public Works Director Jerry Beausoleil. In short order, not one but all four islands were prepared for planting and mulching. On June 20th, volunteers from Generations Family Health Center and the Putnam Business Association Beautification Committee gathered to work on the Union Square Islands. With mulch and hoses in hand, the volunteers set to work and quickly gained the attention of several downtown businesses that wanted to lend a hand. Exemplifying the spirit of cooperation that has helped make Putnam a successful community, The Crossings Restaurant & Brew Pub, 85 Main, and Bella’s Bistro each offered to adopt the three remaining Union Square island gardens. With a nod to Putnam’s history, Bruce Dexter, owner of the recently renovated 88 Main Street building, volunteered to build a brick walkway in one of the islands. The walkway was crafted using repurposed bricks from the original 88 Main Street building, dating back to 1851. To add to the increasing curb appeal of the Union Square islands, the Public Works Department has removed old, broken signs and trimmed trees. Similar collaborations are happening all over Putnam. Recently, many of the town’s welcome signs have been adopted by such local businesses and organizations as the Arc of Quinebaug Valley, Adept Bodyworks, and WINY’s Karen Osbrey. Sign adoptions entail planting annual flowers, mulching and weeding throughout the year. The Putnam Business Association also sponsors a town wide Beautification Day each spring. Funded in part by The Last Green Valley, this year’s Beautification Day was held on May 3rd and saw dozens of volunteers from organizations, schools, and businesses. Teams dispersed throughout the town to collect trash and competed to find the most unique items, as well as the most nip bottles. The nip bottles collected will be used to create an art project to “illuminate” the issue of littering within the town and the region.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 21:26:07 +0000
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