When the community fills the Town Hall Council Chamber it is often to express disapproval for things like taxes, spending or a zoning application.
Last week the chamber was filled with expressions of praise for members of the community who create examples of local beauty, of those who, in the words of Stratford Beautification Committee Chairman Jeff Thompson, use their front yards and curb appeal to “make this town shine.”
People came to Town Hall for the town Beautification Committee’s annual awards to recognize those who help to make Stratford a visually more appealing place.
The committee received more than 45 nominations of beautiful properties from the public and from its members of the committee before selecting the winners.
“It was very competitive,” Thompson said.
Factors in the committee’s evaluations were landscaping, flower beds, gardens, and properties that feature unique fences, walkways, lighting fixtures, or door treatments.
The winners received a glass award, the thanks of the committee and the mayor, as well as a “winner” lawn sign for neighborhood bragging rights.
Mayor John Harkins told the gathering, “As a community we all have to pitch in. It does matter. Thank you for being mindful of your properties.”
The mayor then pledged $1,000 from the Mayor’s Golf Tournament proceeds to go toward next year’s plantings done by the committee around town.
And the Beautification Awards winners are, as listed by address and name of property taxpayer:
Best in Neighborhood
1 Ward Street — Claude Bernadel and Marie LaLanna
780 East Main Street — Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Hey
37 Emerson Drive — Steve Vitka
79 Chelsea Street — Joseph Gaetano
180 Henry Avenue — Gary and Janice Caserta
490 Second Hill Lane — Dan Kurtz
340 Flagler Road — Mr. and Mrs. Walter Brown
732 Conners Lane — Bernadette Lynch
Best Corner Lot
232 Plymouth Street — Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan
Best Shady Garden
98 Emerson Drive — Judith Gardner
Best Cottage Garden
94 Charlton Street — Elizabeth Kipp
Best Wildlife Habitat
57 Cedar Street — Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Pinckney
Volunteer Service Award
Lordship Improvement Association
Most Improved Community Property
2712 Main Street/EMS Headquarters — Michael Loiz, director
Said Loiz, “When wearing the proper uniform you take pride into your work. Our building is our uniform. We take a lot of pride in the work we do for you [the community]. I hope that it shows.”
Best Residential Property
3094 Broadbridge Avenue — John and Kathleen Lombard
Best Commercial Property
125 Access Road — Aptar
Special Award
1130 Huntington Road — Eli Whitney Elementary School at Memorial Day
Said Thompson, “Eli Whitney looks like 100 other schools in Connecticut, except for seven days in May, when it is transformed.”
The use of made-in-the-classroom poppies, which signify persons who sacrificed their lives in military service to the United States, is “tearfully beautiful,” Thompson said. “It is something you can feel. The fact that the kids do it gives me hope and faith in the future; they remind us what is right.”
In addition to running the Beautification Awards program, the committee partners with Stratford Public Works on Project Greensweep in late April and plants the Honor Garden as well as specific areas around Town Hall throughout the year.
Members of the Beautification Committee are Councilman Brian Dempsey, Councilwoman Stephanie Philips, Donna Caserta, Evelyn Clough, Ann Fariss, Christine Griffin, Florence Kokoruda, Gail Liscio, Sue Prosi, Rita Scacchia, and Thompson.
Thompson expressed great thanks to Stratford Conservation Administrator Brian Carey for being “always very helpful” to the committee.