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REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING
TOWN OF GREENWICH
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS FOR
June 2008 MEETING
ITEM NO.: 1 – postponed from April meeting
DEPARTMENT: Selectmen
CONTACT: Selectman Peter Crumbine 622-7710
REFERRED TO: Appointments, Town Services Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed a member of the Alarm Appeals Board for a term expiring 3/31/12.
SEAN TURPIN
Explanatory Comments
Sean Turpin. 24 Prospect Street, Greenwich. Renomination as a regular member of the Alarm Appeals Board for a term expiring 3/31/12.
Graduate/Degree Electronics – JM Wright Tech. School. Traffic Signal Technician – TOG. EMT, past GEMS volunteer, volunteer, Round Hill Fire Company, Red Cross Disaster Services.
ITEM NO.: 2 - postponed from April meeting
DEPARTMENT: Selectmen
CONTACT: Peter J. Tesei , 622-7710
REFERRED TO: Appointments, Education Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named persons, nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed members of the Greenwich High School Music Instructional Space and Auditorium Building Committee:
Robert Brady
Leslie Cooper
Aris Crist
Genevieve Krob
Steven LoParco
Frank Napolitano
Joseph Ross
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS: updated since April meeting
A building committee must be appointed for any school building project which involves an application for state aid, which committee shall supervise the construction of the project in strict adherence to the Board of Education's educational specifications. The powers and duties of this committee, specified in Article 9 of the Greenwich Municipal Code, include:
1) selection and employment of an architect,
2) approval of plans and specifications (both of the foregoing subject to BOE approval), and
3) requests for necessary appropriations and acceptance of bids.
The committee submits quarterly progress reports to the BOE and RTM.
Bob Brady, 16 Terrace Ave, Riverside. 49 year resident. BSE Princeton University, MBA Columbia University. RTM Education Committee Chair, 1994 GHS Building Committee. Retired. Financial system consulting, financial management positions in commercial real estate development, power project development. CPA. 16-year RTM member, Director & Treasurer, Friends of Greenwich Point. Past Riverside Association Board, past Trustee, First Congregational Church.
Leslie Cooper, 26 The Ridgeway, Greenwich. Lifelong resident. BA Smith College. GHS PTA Co-President, previous business experience with major opera companies. Part-time athletic coach, Greenwich Academy. 10 years previous experience Metropolitan Opera Association, Connecticut Grand Opera Company. GHS PTA Co-President, Board Greenwich American Red Cross, United Way. Past PTA Council Executive Board, Co-President of WMS and Glenville PTAs, Chair First Presbyterian Nursery School, Greenwich Academy Alumnae Board & Parents Board.
Aris Crist, 34 Glen Rd, Greenwich. 11 year resident. BS University of Vermont, Masters Architecture Syracuse University. Architect, construction management experience. Principal and owner, Aris Crist Architects - commerical & residential projects. Construction management from design inception through construction site supervision. Registered architect, state of CT. Historic District Commission, Historical Society Board, Boy Scouts, Church of Our Savior (Rye), United Way.
Genny Krob, 44 Valleywood Rd, Cos Cob. 21 year resident. BA Dartmouth College, MBA University of Chicago. GHS Project Team (GHS Music/ Auditorium Feasibility Study, Ed Specs), former WMS Building Committee, BOE Facilities Committee. 20 years previous business experience in financial services, management consulting. Current member RTM. Former Board of Education (Chair), GHS 2005 Accreditation Team, PTA Council Executive Board, GHS & Cos Cob School PTAs.
Steve LoParco, 10A Moshier St, Greenwich. Lifelong resident. BSE Columbia University School of Engineering & Applied Science. Contractor Builder, former BOE Facilities Committee. President, LoParco Association Inc. Glenville School Building Committee. Former Board of Education, Hamilton Avenue School Building Committee, RTM member.
Frank Napolitano, 40 Thunder Mtn Rd, Greenwich. Lifelong resident. BA Columbia University, JD Brooklyn Law School. Law practice - land use, zoning & real estate. Former Commissioner, Greenwich P&Z Commission, and Project Manager, NYC Public Development Corp. Private law practice in Greenwich, CT. Director, Children's Day School, Captain, Glenville Volunteer Fire Company.
Joe Ross, 210 Riverside Ave, Riverside. Lifelong resident. BSE, University of Connecticut, MSE University of Connecticut. 34 years construction management experience, review of bid packages, bid & award of contracts. Henry Miller Theater, New Amsterdam Theatre, Lincoln Center, NYC School Construction Authority. Executive Vice President and Project Executive, Tishman Construction Corp, NYC. Construction management specializing in projects requiring critical advanced planning, difficult staging and logistics. Glenville School Building Committee, Hamilton Ave School Building Committee.
The GHS Building Committee will also include representatives appointed by other town bodies:
Voting members
Board of Education Leslie Moriarty
Board of Estimate Bill Kelly
Ex-Officio
Board of Selectmen
Planning & Zoning
Public Works
RTM
Schools Administration
DEPARTMENT: First Selectman
REFERRED TO: Finance, Land Use, Legislative & Rules
VOTES: Board or commission name vote (y/n/a)
RESOLVED, TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE PURSUANT TO PUBLIC ACT 07-170 APPROVED ON JUNE 29, 2007.
WHEREAS, Public Act 07-170 was approved on June 29, 2007; and
WHEREAS, Public Act 07-170 permits any municipality to abate real or personal property taxes due with respect to any tax paid or payable by a nonprofit land conservation organization; and
WHEREAS, such an ordinance must be approved by the legislative body of the municipality; and
WHEREAS, the Town desires to adopt such ordinance pursuant to Public Act 07-170 and to make it applicable to property transfers that occur on or after July 1, 2008.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY ORDAINED, that the Representative Town Meeting of the Town of Greenwich hereby approves the ordinance attached hereto and made a part hereof to abate certain real and personal property taxes due by a nonprofit land conservation organization.
TAX ABATEMENT ORDINANCE FOR NONPROFIT LAND
CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS
For transfers on or after July 1, 2008, of property exempt under § 12-81(7) of the Connecticut General Statutes and Section 12-1 of the Municipal Code of the Town of Greenwich, the real and personal property taxes due for any portion of a tax year with respect to any tax paid or payable by a nonprofit land conservation organization shall be abated, even if the real and personal property taxes were due for a period before the date of acquisition but were paid or became payable subsequent to the date of acquisition, but in no case shall delinquent taxes or interest thereon be abated.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
In June 2007, the State legislature enacted Public Act 07-170 (a copy of which is attached) which allows a municipality, “upon approval by its legislative body, to abate real or personal property taxes due for any portion of a tax year or the interest on delinquent taxes with respect to any tax paid by a nonprofit land conservation organization that were due for a period before the date of acquisition but which were paid subsequent to the date of acquisition.” This legislation is applicable to assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2007.
The Greenwich Land Trust initiated the request for a Town ordinance in accordance with Public Act 07-170.
The Current Tax Exemption and Abatement Provisions
Taxes in Greenwich are assessed every year for the period October 1 to September 30. This is the Assessment Year. The Town’s Fiscal Year runs from July 1 to June 30. Payments on tax bills for an Assessment Year are due and payable in two installments – the first payment is due on July 1 and the second payment is due on the following January 1. For example, for the 2007 Assessment Year which runs from October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2008, the first tax bill is due on July 1, 2008 and the second tax bill is due on January 1, 2009.
The Connecticut General Statutes provide tax exemptions for certain types of organizations. Section 12-81(7) of the General Statutes provides an exemption for property used for scientific, educational, literary, historical or charitable purposes. Land trusts acquiring or owning property qualify as one of the types of organizations pursuant to General Statutes § 12-81(7).
Greenwich has adopted an ordinance on property tax exemptions pursuant to General Statutes § 12-81. See Greenwich Municipal Code, Chapter 12, Article 1. Under the Town ordinance, a land trust can apply for a property tax exemption pursuant to General Statutes § 12-81(7). If the Assessor determines that the property acquired by the land trust is entitled to the exemption, the property acquires tax exempt status. No taxes are assessed on the property as long as it continues to qualify for the exemption. However, the land trust still owes any taxes on the property that were assessed prior to the transfer of the property, even though the taxes may not be payable until after the date of acquisition. This tax treatment was required by the Interlude case described below, which Connecticut Public Act 07-170 addresses.
Impact Of The Proposed Ordinance On The Current Tax Laws
The proposed ordinance would provide relief to land trusts from Greenwich real and personal property taxes in that it would abate those taxes that become payable on a date following the transfer of property to the land trust, even if such taxes were assessed for a period prior to the date of transfer of property to the land trust.
Reason For The Passage of Public Act 07-170
Public Act 07-170 was passed in response to the Connecticut Supreme Court’s decision in 2003 in the case of Interlude, Inc. v. Skurat, 266 Conn. 130 (2003). In Interlude, the Supreme Court held that General Statutes § 12-81b provides only for an exemption from taxes assessed after the date of acquisition of property by a qualifying organization. Any taxes assessed prior to the date of acquisition must be paid even if the payment date is some time after the date of acquisition. Public Act 07-170 was enacted to avoid this result and, if approved by local ordinance, will allow land trusts and similar organizations to
be able to abate taxes assessed prior to the date of acquisition.
The practice in Connecticut, including the Town of Greenwich, prior to Interlude had been to abate all taxes assessed prior to the date of acquisition in addition to granting tax exempt status going forward from the date of acquisition. The Supreme Court’s decision in Interlude put an end to that practice. The proposed ordinance, if adopted pursuant to Public Act 07-170, would bring back the longstanding practice that was in place prior to Interlude.
Nonprofit Land Conservation Organizations
Public Act 07-170 uses the term “nonprofit land conservation organization.” However, “nonprofit land conservation organization” is not a defined term in the General Statutes. Legislative history indicates that this term was intended to include land trusts and similar land conservation groups. A similar term that is used in the General Statutes under section 47-6b is “nonprofit land-holding organization” which means a nonprofit corporation having as one of its principal purposes the conservation and preservation of land, including, but not limited to a land trust. However, since the legislature has used the term “nonprofit land conservation organization,” the same term is used in the proposed ordinance.
As per the Town Assessor’s Office, the following organizations in Town currently qualify for tax exempt status as land trusts and similar organizations: Greenwich Council of Boy Scouts, Inc., Greenwich Land Trust, Inc., National Audubon Society, Inc., Nature Conservancy of Connecticut, Inc. and Stamford Land Conservation Trust, Inc.
Types Of Taxes To Be Abated And Relevant Timeframes
Public Act 07-170 allows for an abatement of real and personal property taxes as well as the interest on delinquent taxes. The proposed ordinance allows for the abatement of real and personal property taxes but does not include a provision for the abatement of interest on delinquent taxes.
Public Act 07-170 is effective only for assessment years starting on or after October 1, 2007. Taxes for the 2007 assessment year are due on July 1, 2008 and January 1, 2009. Therefore, since July 1, 2008 would be when the first tax bill for the 2007 assessment year would be due, the proposed ordinance is drafted so as to apply to transfers of property to a land conservation organization that take place on or after July 1, 2008.
The proposed ordinance, if approved by the RTM, would be included in the Greenwich Municipal Code under Chapter 12, Article 1, Property Tax Exemptions.
DEPARTMENT: Registrar of Voters
CONTACT: Veronica B. Musca, Republican Registrar of Voters
REFERRED TO: Finance, Town Services
VOTES: Board of Estimate & Taxation 12-0-0
RESOLVED, that the sum of $57,089.00 be added to the Registrars of Voters
Budget as follows: A120: A/C 51450 Democrat Primary mandated personnel for twelve (12) polling districts $45,415; A/C 54200/Maintenance Machines, for transport and set-up $7,000.00; A/C 53010 Office Supplies $150.00; A/C 5110 OT Services for (4) police officers $4,524.00.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Original budget is based on one (1) Primary, as requested by the Board of Estimate and Taxation. On February 5, 2008 the Registrar of Voters conducted two (2) primaries for the Republican and Democrat Presidential Preference Primary.
DEPARTMENT: Board of Education
REFERRED TO: Education, Finance
VOTES: Board of Education 7-0 Board of Estimate and Taxation 11-0-0-
RESOLVED, that the sum of $700,000 be and the same is hereby appropriated from RESERVED for CAPITAL & NON-RECURRING FUND to account Z68059560, Project 28139 for GHS Clark House roof.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Separate packet
DEPARTMENT: Board of Education
REFERRED TO: Education, Finance
VOTES: Board of Education 7-0 Board of Estimate and Taxation 11-0-0
RESOLVED, that the sum of $500,000 be and the same is hereby appropriated from the General Fund Balance to the accounts for cost associated with the Hamilton Avenue School Relocation.
A |
600 |
177251490 |
Professional Svces. NOC |
114,887 |
A |
600 |
178652020 |
Printing & Binding |
70,602 |
A |
620 |
179351310 |
Temporary Svces. - Teachers |
33,329 |
A |
640 |
178951440 |
Profess'l. Svces. - Consult |
171,407 |
A |
640 |
178952500 |
Cleaning Svces. |
48,061 |
A |
660 |
176652120 |
Transportation - Pupils |
61,714 |
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Attached is an estimate of year end budget position as of 5/1/08. Some of the variables in this forecast illustrate identified challenges in the $119+ million budget, along with anticipated offsets. The projection considers high risk accounts throughout the district but generally does not include school and instructional program budgets. This is based on an assumption that these funds will be spent as budgeted to support teaching and learning, and any net variance would be immaterial to the analysis. Challenges include but are not limited to responding to enrollment variances which impact staffing, and special education costs and reimbursements (excess cost). The forecast also suggests that despite these challenges the school system would have been on target to end the year within its appropriation
prior to the modular emergency. Estimated current year operating budget costs associated with this emergency include but are not limited to consulting services (environmental, forensic, architectural & engineering, etc.), student transportation, moving and storage, personnel (overtime, security, etc.).
Attachments
Separate packet
DEPARTMENT: Hamilton Avenue School Building Committee
CONTACT: Frank Mazza 622-2259
REFERRED TO: Education, Finance
VOTES: Hamilton Ave Building Committee 5-0-0 Board of Estimate and Taxation 11-0-0
RESOLVED, that the sum of $200,000 is hereby appropriated and added to the following account: Z6801792 59550 25110 for the Hamilton Avenue School Reconstruction. Said appropriation to come from the Capital and Non-Recurring Fund.
Explanatory Comments
The Building Committee has voted to request and additional appropriation of $200,000 to complete the school. We anticipate substantial completion of the school by the end of June and our number projections show we will use all of the available funds to get to that point, We asked the contractor a month ago to give us a summary of any potential change orders he might still have and we are just receiving them. We have reserved $75,000 for this work, but it appears it might be more than that. Because there are no RTM meetings in July and August and the deadline for submission to the June meeting is May 16 we will not have all the numbers available at this time. We will keep you updated with new figures and report them to the appropriate committee’s as they become available. We are being proactive by working with
town agencies to determine if there will be any glitches at the end of the project, but as you close out a large construction project, many unforeseen issues can come up. We don’t want to be in the position in late June that we must do something but we can’t issue a change order because we have no funds.
DEPARTMENT: Board of Education
REFERRED TO: Education, Finance
VOTES: Board of Education 7-0 Board of Estimate and Taxation N/A
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education be authorized to accept the donation of a Veteran’s Memorial at Hamilton Ave. School from the Chickahominy Reunion Association.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
Consistent with Policy E-020 and related Procedure E-020.3, the Chickahominy Reunion Association would like to donate a Veteran’s Memorial at Hamilton Ave. School. This project will involve the donation of Real Property with an estimated value of $15,000. Donations of Real Property require RTM approval. As with all donations which involve site or facility improvements, the administration develops and executes a Memorandum of Understanding (DRAFT attached) outlining terms and conditions in addition to the standard donation form.
Attachments
Separate packet
DEPARTMENT: Selectmen
CONTACT: Peter Crumbine 622-7710
REFERRED TO: Appointments, Land Use
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission for a term expiring 3/31/11.
PAUL S. MARCHESE
Explanatory Comments
Paul S. Marchese. 15 Greenbriar Lane, Greenwich. Renomination as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission for a term expiring 3/31/11.
BS degree – College of Art & Architecture. Masters Degree, Sociology/Urban Planning, The New York School for Social Research. Member, American Institute of Architecture, Industrial Designers Society of America.
Internationally recognized ex-chief architect of the World Trade Center and award winning residential architect.
DEPARTMENT: Selectmen
CONTACT: Peter Crumbine 622-7710
REFERRED TO: Appointments, Land Use
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, that the following named person, nominated by the Board of Selectmen, be appointed a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission for a term expiring 3/31/11.
FRANK FARRICKER
Explanatory Comments
Frank Farricker. 14 Mead Avenue, Cob Cob. Renomination as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission for a term expiring 3/31/11.
BA George Washington University, MA – Columbia University. SVP Real Estate Financing Company. Board member -The Mary Fund hospice care,
DEPARTMENT: Law Department
CONTACT: John Wayne Fox, Town Attorney Contact’s phone #622-7876
REFERRED TO: Finance, Legislative & Rules Committees
VOTES: Board of Estimate and Taxation 11-0-0-
RESOLVED, that the sum of $300,000 be and the same is hereby appropriated to be added to Account No. A140-51400, Professional and Other Special Services – Attorneys.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
This request is for an additional appropriation of $300,000.00 to meet attorneys’ fees for outside counsel through the end of the fiscal year. At any given point in the course of a fiscal year, the Law Department will be handling somewhere between 270-290 individual items of litigation. These may constitute tax appeals, land use appeals, CHRO claims, FOI claims, personal injury matters, contract disputes and other items. This work is separate and distinct from contract review, opinion writing, and advice to individual departments and boards. Of the 270-290 litigation matters being handled by the department, approximately 25 matters involve outside counsel. As you know from prior discussions, that is broken down to cases where a conflict exists and those cases where it has been determined
that outside expertise is necessary. Outside counsel has been hired by choice in some ten matters. I anticipate of the three most expensive cases we have had in the last fiscal year, two of them will be disposed of in the near future. It is also my belief that the proposed budget for outside counsel in the coming year for $1.2 million will be sufficient to cover attorney expenses in that account.
DEPARTMENT: Selectmen
CONTACT: John Crary 622-7710
REFERRED TO: Finance, Health & Human Services
VOTES: Board of Selectmen 3-0-0
RESOLVED, pursuant to State Public Act No. 95-268, An Act concerning Neighborhood Assistance, the programs set out in the Explanatory Comments (attached) and complete applications filed in the Town Clerk’s office are hereby approved for the purpose of encouraging business contributions to non-profit organizations and government agencies providing important services in Greenwich.
Explanatory Comments
The Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act provides tax credits for businesses that contribute to community programs that have received both municipal and state approval. The programs include providing neighborhood assistance, job training or education, community services, crime prevention, energy conservation, or construction or rehabilitation of dwelling units for families of low and moderate income in the State.
Municipalities interested in submitting programs for inclusion in the 2007 program must hold a public hearing on their proposals, and the legislative body of each municipality must also vote to approve the programs. The programs should be detailed on the proposal forms. When the tax exempt organization and/or municipal agency receives both municipal and state approval for its proposed program(s), it is then up to that organization to secure funding for the approved program(s) from businesses, which in turn will receive a tax credit from the State of Connecticut. Basically, it is a way to give corporations and businesses an incentive to give money to non-for-profit, tax-exempt organizations and government agencies that aid the community.
Submitted for your approval for 2008 are 7 programs from organizations with a total funding of $ 356,697.44.
ATTACHMENTS
Separate packet - list of 2008 applicants.
A complete set of applications with program information is available in the Town clerk’s office.
DEPARTMENT: Public Works 0806PW09
REFERRED TO: Finance, Public Works
VOTES: Board of Estimate and Taxation 11-0-0
RESOLVED, that the sum of $300,000 be and the same is hereby appropriated to be added to Operating Account Number A321-52510, known as “Waste Removal Services”.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
This request is for additional funds in the amount of $300,000.00 to be allocated to line item A321-52510.
This request is due to several factors:
On April 15, 2007, the Town was hit by a Nor’easter. The cleanup of storm debris continued into the current FY. E.g. July 2007 organic material tonnage was 1500 tons. The average tonnage in the past has been 500 – 600 tons per month.
During the late summer and early fall, we experienced several other storms accompanied by high winds causing additional trees and branches to be brought down, further increasing the monthly organic material tonnages.
In FY 07-08 the average tonnage for organic material was 750 tons per month. In past years the monthly average was between 500 and 600 tons. We based our FY 07-08 budget request on the historical average.
Due to wet weather, the FY 07-08 tonnage of leaves disposed of was increased.
As of July 1, 2007 a new contract was awarded for the operation and management of the Holly Hill Recycling Drop-Off Center. This item was budgeted for in the fall of 2006 and the bid came in after the budget cycle was complete. Monthly operating costs have increased with the new contract.
DEPARTMENT: Public Works 0806PW07
REFERRED TO: Finance, Public Works
VOTES: Board of Estimate and Taxation 11-0-0
RESOLVED, that the sum of $90,000 be and the same is hereby appropriated to be added to Operating Account Number J361-52220, known as “Electrical Service”.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
This request is for additional funds in the amount of $90,000.00 to be allocated to line item J361-52220.
These funds are being requested to correct an on-going deficit in the electrical service line item. The deficit in budgeting for electrical service has been carried forward since FY 05-06, due in part to escalating energy costs and in part to budget shortfalls.
DEPARTMENT: Public Works 0806PW09
REFERRED TO: Finance, Public Works
VOTES: Board of Estimate and Taxation 7-4-0
RESOLVED, that the sum of $30,000 be and the same is hereby appropriated to be added to Capital Account Number B345-59560-28021, known as “BOE/Senior Center”.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
This request is for additional funds in the amount of $30,000 to be allocated to line item B345-59560-28021.
The FY 07/08 budget included funds to permit a study of the programming requirements of the Senior Center at the Old Town Hall building and of the space needs of the Board of Education at Havemeyer Building or at an alternate location. When funds were appropriated it was decided that the study would be divided into two parts and would commence with the Senior Center to permit an understanding of their program and how it could fit within the Old Town Hall. Once this study was completed the Board of Education would be in a position to review their options for a future home of their central office. These options included renovating the Havemeyer Building, moving into a renovated Old Town Hall (if not needed for the senior program), or moving to another building as a tenant or perhaps as owner.
The recently completed study of the Senior Center indicated that if all of the programming desired for senior services was met in one building that the Old Town Hall was not of a sufficient size or layout to accommodate their requirements. The Senior Commission therefore, has asked that an additional $30,000 be appropriated to study the Havemeyer Building to determine if the senior program could be met either wholly at the Havemeyer Building or perhaps partially in combination with a renovated Old Town Hall.
The Office of the First Selectmen supports this request to permit a decision to be reached on the future home of the Senior Center. Once the feasibility study of the Havemeyer Building is complete the utility and the cost of such a use for the senior program will be clear. The finalization of this study is a necessary first step to permit the Board of Education to move onto the next phase of considering options for housing the central office.
DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation Department 0806PR01
REFERRED TO: Parks & Recreation
VOTES: Board of Parks and Recreation vote (y/n/a)
Board of Selectmen
RESOLVED, that the Town of Greenwich, Department of Parks & Recreation accepts a gift of a new gazebo valued at $25,000.00 to replace the existing gazebo in Bruce Park. The gift is from the Hortulus Garden Club.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
The Department of Parks & Recreation respectfully requests the members of the Representative Town Meeting to accept the following generous gift offered to the Town of Greenwich by the Hortulus Garden Club.
In May of 1988 the Hortulus Garden Club presented a gift of a gazebo to the Town to be placed in Bruce Park adjacent to the Rose Garden. This gazebo was located in an aesthetic and natural setting within view from visitors in the park as well as travelers along Bruce Park Drive. This gazebo has become a fixture in the park in those 20 years and has been background scenery for untold family and formal wedding photos.
However, over the years the gazebo has aged and is now in need of replacement. The Hortulus Garden Club has generously offered to replace this gazebo with a new gazebo.. The 11 foot diameter gazebo will be replaced with a 15 foot diameter gazebo in the same location and to be built with superior materials for increased longevity. The value of the gift has been determined to be $25,000.00. The Parks & Trees Division will provide in-kind services for the demolition of the existing gazebo and site preparation for the new gazebo installation.
This gift has met with the approval of the Department of Parks & Recreation administration, the Board of Parks & Recreation and the Town of Greenwich Board of Selectmen. We are now requesting the approval of the RTM to accept this gift for the beautification of Greenwich.
Attachments
None
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