Committee on Committees - Regular Meeting

All right. Are we ready to begin? Yes, we are. Perfect. Good evening, Bloomfield. You are at the Committee on Committees subcommittee meeting this Thursday, September 10th, and we're beginning right at 6 p.m. We're going to do a roll call. So, Councilor DeVethan-Brown, are you here? I'm here. Councilor Waterhouse, are you here?

I'm here.

and I'm Councilor Goodwin, and I am also present. Tonight, we're gonna continue the process similar to our last interview time where I'll state the questions at the top of the hour, and you're able to just be invited up to answer those questions. then please feel free to enjoy the rest of your evening after you have shared your answers to the questions. So don't feel that you need to stay through the rest of the process. I'm going to jump down on the agenda and just go to the approval of minutes. So are there any corrections to the minutes on June 17th, July 9th, or August 13th?

I make a motion that we accept the minutes of June 17th, July 9th, and August 13th. I second.

Can I get a vote on accepting the minutes? All in favor, aye. Aye. Okay. nays, abstentions. Okay. I think we passed the minutes. Okay. So we're going to, tonight we're going to be doing youth adult council zoning board of appeals, inland wetlands, parks and recreation, emergency medical services, conservation, energy and environment, public art and Bloomfield beautification committee. I want to just give a note to those who are interviewing tonight. If you know that you have interviewed for another committee, and you have a preference or you'd rather us really consider you for the other committee or this particular committee, if you would just state that for us. As I stated at the council meeting, in times past, people have been able to serve beyond what the charter is calling for. And the charter has very explicit requirements for serving on these committees. Like you can only have five people from the majority party, a certain number of people from the minority party, independent, so on and so forth. So we need to abide by those guidelines because we had some folks serving on committees that were outside of those guidelines. It may mean that you, there is a possibility that you may not be able to continue to serve outside of what the charter and the ordinances state. Again, tonight, if you are so inclined, if you know you've interviewed for multiple committees or a different committee, please feel free to share with us. I know I interviewed for XYZ, but I'm really interested in this and that would just help us in our discernment. The three questions tonight are, why are you interested in serving on the board or commission that you have submitted your interest form for? Can you commit to regular attendance for the full term? And is there anything else you would like us to know? So I'll state that one more time. Why are you interested in serving? Can you commit to regular attendance? And is there anything else you would like us to know? Councilor DeVita-Brown, can I ask you to begin with the first committees and with- Mr.

Chair, can I just ask a question, please? Yes. I do see that we have a discussion and possible action regarding an appointment on the agenda. It's only one individual. Could we take that out of turn so that individual can enjoy the rest of their afternoon?

Absolutely, and since you're gonna kick us off, feel free to begin there. And then when you pause, you would turn it over to Councilor Waterhouse to also feel free to go. And then I will bring up the rear. It's important that we respect and support female leadership in this town. And I'm honored to serve amongst the two of you. So, Councilor DeVitha Brown, can you get us started?

So, we're going to just go with the Zoning Board of Appeals, that appointment. We're going to ask the question because that's how we're going to do it. And then we will let you go, sir, for the rest of your evening and continue. The mayor is here if he would like to join us on the dais. because you can't see and I can't. So please state your name.

Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Ricky Rowe. I live here in the town of Bloomfield, lived here, well, most of my life. I was born, you know, born in Hartford, moved here, lived here all my life, went to school here. Then I went away, moved to Boston, lived in Boston for maybe about 15 years, and I moved back to Bloomfield.

Can you please tell us why you're interested in serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals?

I'm interested in serving on the Board of Appeals to help my community, to give back. You know, I think sometimes when you leave, and you come home and you live here, I think it's my duty to give back. Just like in previous years, I gave back to the community. I used to coach football with the measure of football here in the town. And that was a great experience.

Can you commit to regular attendance for the full term?

Yes, I can.

Is there anything else you would like the committee or town council to know about your candidacy?

Yeah, actually, I went to school for architecture, mine is structural engineering. I've worked a lot in the city of Boston when I lived up there. So I kind of know what towns need in order to be successful. And I think there's certain businesses we can actually acquire here in the town that improves, you know, the area of Bloomfield. I mean, I think we have a lot of potential. I think we just need to explore it, you know, and get it together.

Excellent. Thank you so very much.

Okay, that's it. That's all you had to ask me?

That's it. That's all. Thank you for your time.

Painless.

Just to let you know, Mr. Chair, I'm sure that you do know, and my council colleague, that this is a Republican vacancy, and Mr. Rowe was also recommended by the Republican Town Committee. Yes. Okay. So we're going to go back to the Youth Adult Council. Kiwanda? And if I butcher your name, please forgive me.

Kiwanda.

Kiwanda. Thank you so very much. Do you remember the three questions or are you doing me to ask them again?

No, you don't have to. Why am I interested? I'm at It's kind of like a no-brainer for me. I actually was very involved with the Youth Adult Council through my two children actively participating in multiple, multiple programs. over the last six years. So it was kind of like a, why not? Like, wait, you're here, you're here again, you're here again. So just to be of a service, you know, cause I know a lot of the intricacies of what's expected on the parent side, you know, to be a member and also to be a town member, you know, to also know, what I'm expecting as a, as a, um, town member. So with those dual roles, then to go into the co chair position, you know, I think I bring a lot to, um, to be able to bring in a lot of aspects from both. So from both sides, um, yes, I can commit to regular attendance. I have, um, in the past over the last year and a half that I've been serving. Anything that I would like to add? Yes. Just working with youth is the natural for me. It really wasn't my calling. I saw it in the forefront. It was more so for the first time, it was more as family and community, youth leader at church. But now from a perspective, professional aspect, I do now currently work for DCF and it is now my full-time role to be in the youth role and to lead and to advocate for youth, their safety and their general well-being from a nursing perspective. That's all I have to add.

Excellent. Thank you so very much. Nadine? Tobin?

nadine no okay meredith johnson come on down hello i'm meredith johnson and i do i have interviewed before um wherever the committee on committees deems my volunteerism is most needed. I would accept that I will serve whether or not I'm appointed to a committee or not. I'm a resident, a lifelong resident of Bloomfield and my duty is to serve. I was, encouraged to participate in a youth advisory council based on another appointment that I had. But my professional engagement, as well as working for DCF for 34 years, is strengthening families and youth. So organically, I, in the past, did not navigate to that position or that engagement necessarily in the town because It's something I do full-time, but as I look at exiting my lifelong career, I do want to be more vested in the town officially, engaging with the youth here, although it happens organically because my family's here and that's just the position I'm in daily.

Can you commit to regular attendance?

Yes, I have committed to regular attendance since... I've been serving since January.

And is there anything else you'd like the committee or the town council to know? No. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Thank you so very much. Liz, you'll do inland wetlands.

Okay. Yes. Diane Perry.

Diane is here online, but she hasn't come on.

Yes. I am here. Hello, Diane. Thank you. Okay. Why are you interested in serving on the inland wetlands? And what would you hope to contribute to it?

Okay. That sounds a little different than the questions earlier. But I am certainly interested in participating on the commission. because I've been a Bloomfield homeowner since 2011. And after more than a decade of living here, I feel it's time for me to participate more actively in the topics and discussions that really shape the health, enjoyment, and quality of life of our town for both me and my neighbors.

Okay, thank you. And can you commit to regular attendance?

I can certainly commit to regularly attending and participating in committee meetings.

Beautiful. And is there anything else that you would like the committee or town council to know about your candidacy?

Yes, sure. I would like to emphasize that I take the responsibility of public service seriously. If selected, I view the appointment as a commitment. I would make, as I said, every effort to attend meetings, prepare in advance, understand the materials, and participate constructively. I see this as an opportunity to serve alongside people on the committee who may have different experiences and perspectives. And while I would be leaning in to learn the environmental subject matter, I know how to navigate complex regulatory environments from my compliance background and ask thoughtful questions, listen to different perspectives, and help lead a group to make sound, well-supported decisions. I really see this committee as one that is a working committee and will certainly contribute to the quality of life for all residents for generations to come. So I bring my commitment of curiosity, stewardship, and intellect to the commission and look forward to partnering with the other commissioners and town staff and certainly to engage respectfully with Bloomfield citizens.

Beautiful. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Councillor Goodwin, do you want to do parks and recreation?

Sure. Um, Lissandra Rosario. There you go. Uh, Lissandra, did you hear the questions or do you need them stated again?

Nope. I'm on set.

Okay. Let's go for it.

Okay, so why Parks and Recreation? When I originally applied last year, one of the things I wrote was that since moving to Bloomfield, I'd participated in a number of events of Parks and Recreation activities, and I was just really impressed by what the town offered. I actually said that I wanted to see what happens behind the scenes and understand what makes those programs so successful. And that's also very true. But I also think that is my own background as an educator working with children. and families and my experience in recreation gives me a perspective that could be useful in the committee. When I originally looked at the different opportunities to serve, Parks and Recreation was one that really stood out to me. I've also been involved in swimming and aquatics for many years. So this just kind of felt like an area where my experience and my interests could actually be useful. I'm also interested in how recreation creates community and that is not just the sports aspect of it, but that it's also about the parks and the programs and the activities and the spaces that give children, adults, families and older residents opportunities to participate and to connect. And I'd like to contribute that community perspective. In my current profession, I'm constantly thinking about who is participating, who isn't participating, and what are the barriers that might be keeping people from accessing information or accessing spaces or events or opportunities. Is it language? Is it something else? And I think that that's useful lens for community recreation as well. And so that's what I would like to contribute. And can I attend all the meetings? Yes. And then I would say, just my question to you all would be, what is the expectation of us in the committee besides being present?

So I would say, well, being present, attending the meetings, but then the agenda that you all as the Parks and Recreation Committee come up with, with your chair and the things that come before you. So the question was really, is there anything else you want us to know about you? What's sort of the ending of the interview process?

Nothing else that I can think of.

Perfect. Thank you so much. And again, friends, after you interview, you are welcome to enjoy the rest of your evening. The next person I have is Louis Blumenfeld. Is Louis there?

He's in the room.

Great. Louis, I think you heard the question, so you can go right for it.

I've been listening. The first one isn't the easiest to answer. Why am I interested? I've been on the Parks and Recreation Committee since 1977. If you are kind enough to reappoint me, it'll be my 50th year. I got involved with Parks and Recreation because growing up, I was very involved in sports activities using parks. I was involved with YMCA Camp Hazen, where I was a camper, a counselor, senior staff member, now on the board of directors, vice president, president, got very involved in recreation activities, planning them, maintenance of properties, all of which brought me to an interest in the town's recreation department. I've been very happy and proud to serve on the committee for the last 49 years. and very happy to be involved in what I think is a really great recreation and park system that the council has provided, that the Parks and Rec Department has supported, and that we've been able to help as members of the committee. I can attend meetings, have been attending meetings, rarely miss a meeting, and I've been chairing the committee for the last, 11 or 12 years, I'd like to keep doing that. And the only thing I'd add is an interesting conundrum, not unusual in Bloomfield. The committee could definitely use a few more members. We have a very good core. The core is now down to four people. It seems that we don't get a lot of Republican volunteers. I think I noted that the two new people who offered are Democrats. I'm not sure when you get done with your interviews whether there are spaces for two Democrats. And I'm kind of hoping the council might find a way to perhaps expand the committee so that we can have a couple more members than we have now. Thank you. That's all I have.

Louis, can I have you stay? I'm going to go out of order because you're also interviewing for the Emergency Medical Systems Committee. So I'm just wondering if you want to offer your thoughts about that now, and then we can release you for the evening.

I'm happy to offer them now. The Emergency Medical Systems Committee is something I got involved in showing my age in 1976. That was when the ambulance was being planned and somebody wrote me into the committee to do some of the planning. After the ambulance started in 1977, they created the EMS committee. I was appointed to it. About three years later, well, the first three years of the committee was chaired by a council member. In 1980, the council decided that wasn't a great idea. And at that point, the council appointed me as chair. That went on for a number of years until the council decided that the committee ought to do its own appointing. Despite that, I haven't been able to get away and I've been chair of that since 1980-ish. What I didn't know when I started about ambulances and ambulance systems, I think I have learned over the last 50 years. I'm really pleased at what we've been able to do with the ambulance. It started with people not expecting it to last really long, and next year is the 50th year of the ambulance. And it's still going strong with the support of the council, which has been really great. I'm hoping that I will be able to continue to be part of the planning that is involved with the EMS committee. It is there to keep an eye on what's going on with the BVA, to help with things that need to be helped with, and to report back to the council so that the council can be kept up to date. Since I've been retired, I've been able to come to the public health, safety, and environment committees and do the reporting, and I enjoy that as well. So if you honor me with continuing me on the committee, I'd be really happy. I think in terms of more than you're already doing, I think as long as you can keep going, it would be great. And you've provided us with an excellent police chief who's well-versed, a coordinator, Captain Klomberg, who is even more well-versed as the coordinator, And hopefully you can keep finding enough money so we can keep going. For the most part, the ambulance pays for itself, but it does need a little. And I can make meetings.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I want to just make a note to something you said, Louis, that I hope everybody can hear. Even if you're not appointed to the committee, doesn't mean that you can't still volunteer. And I think we heard that from one of our other interviewers, interviewees as well. So just keep that in mind. If the appointment isn't there because it doesn't fit into the charter or the ordinance, you can still volunteer with the committees and reach out. Thank you so much, Louis, for your time.

Mr. Chair, you did at the top of the meeting, you did say if someone had applied for multiple committees, if they could state which committee they would prefer.

If you're asking that, I would have a real problem with that given 49 and 50 years with each of them.

All right.

Okay. He's currently the chair of both. So thank you so much, Louis, for that. All right.

Thanks.

Is Shinda in the room?

Not in the room.

Okay. And then I'm going to probably not pronounce this wrong, but Nazi.

That's perfect. Okay, perfect. You're up next.

We're going back to the Parks and Recreation Committee. So go ahead, Nazi.

Okay, thank you. Am I interested? I have been serving, I think, about two years now. And I grew up here. I've been in Bloomfield since I was three, moved away, came back, and now I have a family. Parks and Rec is very important to me. Sorry. I really care about the community, its future. I have a small child. She's four. I really enjoyed being part of the committee and having the opportunity to contribute to the decisions that affect residents. I'd like to continue bringing family recreation and wellness perspective and helping strengthen some of our programs, our parks, and our community events. It's been really fun working with Lou and Shunda and Paula and June. It's a great, they all give great perspectives and I've been an active participant. I've not missed any meetings. And we contribute a policy community events that are very well attended uh i the the thing that's really important to me is seeing people into our meetings residents come and tell us about what they like to do their feedback making sure we're considering with families and residents making sure we don't get away from parks This summer, we're looking forward to some of the other events in the fall and the winter. But I guess... Yes, I'll commit. I have committed. And anything else? Professionally, I have more than 15 years of experience in administrative operations, project management, event coordination. I do also have my own fitness and wellness business. So I think that experience with program development and families and youth is and wellness, community engagement. I think all of that translates really well to the Parks and Rec department. So that's all I got.

Thank you, Nazzy. And just again, to offer Nazzy, Lissandra, Diane, unless you want to stay with us for the evening, which you are welcome to, you are all free to enjoy the rest of your evening. I'm going to go back to the Emergency Medical Systems Committee. Is Deidre Gilbert there in person?

She is. Great.

Good evening. I'm Deirdre Donahue Gilbert. I have been a resident here. My parents built our home here in 1955. So other than being away at college and whatnot for about 12 years, I've been a resident here. When I went away, I became a professional registered nurse. I have practiced for more than 50 years as a nurse. Right now, I do volunteer at Malta House as a nurse to help the uninsured people of the Hartford community, which includes the surrounding areas. Uh, in my years of nursing, I think, uh, being on the, um, ambulance, uh, board, uh, through the, um, emergency medical system committee, um, how I ended up on that is I witnessed a non, not our ambulance, volunteer ambulance, a other ambulance coming to town. And, um, providing care for a victim that was inappropriate. So I went to Ellen at the time, who was head of the Ambulance Board, and she said, have I got a job for you? So if you would be willing to serve. So I did join, and I've been about five years, I believe, here. I also, as a Bloomfield resident, knew Dr. Richard Bagnall, who was part of the beginning of the ambulance here. He was a neighbor and he was the reason I went into the healthcare profession. I have worked at Yale. I've worked at Boston Children's. I have worked rural medicine myself in a 13-bed hospital and got very close with the EMS because that was my backup. Those were my nurses and doctors. I finished my career with the Department of Public Health, and I was a federal and state regulator for, it started with nursing homes, then drug facilities. prisons with their programs for substance abuse. So I have a plethora of knowledge that Narcan and whatnot. And I think that's it.

You can attend the meetings?

I'm able to come to the meetings. I'm kind of retired, kind of.

Great. Perfect.

Thank you so much.

I'm going to turn it back over to Councilor Waterhouse to pick up with the Conservation Energy and Environment Committee.

Okay. Do we have Julie Shaw? Hi, Julie.

Okay, first question. Why do I want to do this?

My name is Julie Shaw. As I said, I... Mostly retired about four years ago, stayed on as a contractor a little bit, but in the last year I've fully cut the cord and now fully retired. But in that time, since I stopped working full time, I've started to decide where I want to put my energy. I'm not one to just sit around. So I volunteered at our farm. I've gotten active with the land trust. I'm on their education committee. And I went to DEP and became a master wildlife conservationist. So I've become sort of a wildlife educator. I'm a 4-H leader at our farm as well. But I really wanted to get a little bit more involved. This is a great town. I've lived here for 19 years. And of all the places I've lived in Connecticut, I grew up in a small town in Mass. But of all the places, this is the one that felt most like home. And we have so many great resources and I'd love to see and a little bit more education out there for our residents on how we can keep a nice, healthy environment here, maintain some natural spaces, coexist with wildlife, be concerned about our recycling programs and trash programs and things like that. And I think that there's a lot of opportunity to get the word out to the public a little bit more on how we can all kind of, as a community, make sure that we're still a nice, healthy environment going forward. And yes, I can make the meetings.

Great. Is there anything else that you would like us to know?

Well, the only thing I guess, I grew up in a very small town and it was instilled in me pretty young. My mom was an elected official for decades. My dad worked for the town, you know, just as a volunteer, library trustee, the polls, everything. And it was just always really kind of drilled into all of us that you become a you help your community, you know, that's, that's how it works. So I felt like it was time I've lived here long enough and I have the time on my hands now to make a contribution.

Perfect. Thank you so much.

This is your pen.

Do we have David? I don't think so. No. Okay. Good night. Thank you for coming.

Do you want me to do public art?

Yes, please.

Vivian is online.

Yeah, Vivian's online.

Yes, I'm here. Hi. Do you remember the questions or you would like me to repeat them?

Why do you want to be part of the committee? Can you make the meetings? And please remind me of the third question. I apologize.

Is there anything else you'd like the committee or town council to know about your candidacy? Got it.

Okay. Thank you. I've lived in Bloomfield since about 2008, coming from different towns within the greater Hartford area. And what I really like about Bloomfield is that it's very welcoming and very friendly. And for a number of years, I have wanted to be involved, and I wasn't able to be until... this past year. So last year I was very active with the Public Art Committee. They're a great group of people. My background, for those who might who might not know or not have access to the document. Um, I've worked in and around, um, the greater Hartford area for much of my career. So I've worked, um, in theater. Um, I have worked in, um, fine art. Um, I've also worked in arts and culture. So I do have a background and a knowledge of art and arts and culture that I can bring to the group. Um, and I also, again, I'm a resident of the town who's just really, um, wanting to be involved in doing things to help the town be better, to do things that will help people I think art is restorative. It's also quite powerful. And I think that a lot of times we, a smaller town, sometimes forget what that impact can be. But just being at events and seeing people, whether it's doing the drum circle in the town hall or having events off-site, it's just been really great to see how people come out to support. Yes, I can attend the meetings. I've been attending meetings in the past. And is there anything else that I'd like people to know? I guess that, I mean, that's pretty much everything. I like sci-fi. I don't know if that counts, if anyone wants to talk about that. But in all seriousness, I'm just interested in doing my part to help my town.

Excellent. Thank you. I won't go with may the force be with you, but yeah.

Good. Cause that's the one I'm not quite as good on.

Lee. Thank you so very much. I'm Vivian Lee.

Are you online?

No. Yes.

Lee's here. We just need you to unmute Lee.

You're still muted. Now, can you hear me?

Yes.

Okay. I'm relatively new in Bloomfield. I live in Doncaster, continuing care community. I'm an artist. I very much am interested in making art your beautiful town, even more so. So anything I can do with my experience and my knowledge, I want to do. That's why I want to be on the commission. And I think I have some valuable assets to help make that happen. Can I come to meetings? Yes. The last one, what do I want you to know about me? I don't really care about your town, which is now my town. I want to help.

That was good. Thank you, Lee. That was good. Thank you so very much, Ms. Wendy Williams.

So I have to follow up on Lee. I have to follow up with Lee. So why Public Art Commission? Well, Councilor DeBetham-Brown, you're the one that aligned me to this commission three years ago, and I've been on it ever since. So would it have been my first choice? Probably not. But over the past three years, I've grown with this committee. We've really branched out and done multiple things for the community from a public art relation or relationship. So I do think that I would like to continue doing that and expanding on how we can help continue to create public art. I want to echo with what Vivian said. I think there's so much that we can do. And as a, as a commission that has a full body, I think it's better. We've been running with like four or just enough to have quorums for the past two and a half years. So I really look forward to if elected to a reappointed to just continue on that mission and, really keep bringing art into the forefront, community art into the forefront of the town. Yes, I can commit to the meetings. I have been committed to the meetings up until this time. And lastly, something that I would like, I would love to look at intergenerational art. I would love to bring out youth art into the community. I would love to bring that together, but really bring our intergenerational groups together and really continue to move the Public Art Commission to do fun things, bigger things, and keep engaging more and more of the public, as Lee said. And that's all I got. So thank you.

Thank you so very much. Once again, if you would like, you can leave. If you would like, you can stay for the rest of the interviewees.

Counselor?

Counselor Waterhouse, do you want to pick up the beautification?

Absolutely. Carolina, step on up.

Hello, my name is Carolina Volk. I am relatively new to the town. I moved here just about three years ago. and I fell in love with the town right away. Especially, for example, when I was driving down 185 at the intersection where you can either go towards Simsbury or towards Hartford. I love that little piece or area of garden, really, with these plants and flowers. When I saw that, I'm like, this is it. I am so happy I moved here. It's just so pretty. And then I started traveling through the town and saw different areas. And yes, certain areas are, you know, like any town could use a little bit of improvement. And since my schedule... I have a grown daughter now, so I have a little more free time. I've decided to get involved and I actually made that promise to myself that once I can, I want to give back and get involved. I kind of became aware of the beautification committee at a suggestion of our chairman of our Republican committee, Mr. Dwight Halton. because I share with him my concern for like the Copaco shopping areas that it makes me so sad to see the flying trash everywhere you know it's such a beautiful shopping area. I love going, especially at Lowe's. I don't know, I just do these home projects. And so I shared that with Sima. I said, you know, it's so sad that, you know, people just don't get together and volunteer, kind of clean it and make it nice and presentable. He said, you know, I think I know of a committee that you might be good for. So that's how I was introduced to that committee. I've been attending meetings regularly since, I believe, January. Missed only one due to a medical appointment. I also participate in volunteer activities outside the meetings. Enjoyed planting some flowers just actually across the street here. What I love also about this town, and it makes me smile every time I see it, Bloom with us in Bloomfield. I love that quote. Yes. Other than that, I think that I cover it all.

Beautiful. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Rise? Mm-mm. Norvilla? Mm-hmm. Oh, you're on mute.

Yeah.

Got it. Okay, I got it. There you go. All right. So I've been on the beautification committee for 10 plus years. One of the reasons is as I drive through towns across Connecticut, Simsbury and Avon. I always look at them and I try to see how can we compete with them and how can we keep our town looking beautiful. I mean, I love looking at the town green, the plantings in town hall. We've had a lot of positive feedback regarding how the gardens are maintained. And that's why I continue to serve on this committee.

Perfect.

Would I be able to attend the meetings? I've been attending almost all the meetings, except if I'm on vacation. Now, things I'd like to add. What's the last question? I forgot.

Is there anything else that you would like the committee or town council to know about you and your candidacy?

Okay. So, okay, I'm going to make a couple of comments. Having been on the committee this long, I just want you to know I'm an avid gardener and I pay someone to weed my gardens at my house.

Don't blame me.

But they're beautiful. They're beautiful. Thank you, my dear. And then I go to the town to weed the town's gardens for free. So that shows some commitment. The only couple of things I would like to add, I would like to see more people volunteering. We have a hard time, you know, getting volunteers to help us. It's not easy keeping up with the police station, the electronic green, the town, you know, and one of the things we lack this year, I'm very disappointed with how that strip on Park Avenue looks. We planted a lot of perennials there. And lack of watering. We used to drag the hose from the corner of Town Hall all the way out to just water those plants. Where most of us are over 70, we can't keep it up. So we need some kind of watering system to help. A lot of the plants have died and we've been replanting more and more. Some we brought from our homes. And the other thing, the last thing I'd like to add is that The counselor, the council itself, we would like if you would respond when we send invitations out to you. All right. Touche. I mean, lack of response. I mean, sometimes we get one response and a lot of times zero responses when we ask for. If you're going to just say, no, I can't or something. But if it's an attendance to something we're doing, it's like crickets. And that's my, I'm sorry?

No, no, we hear you clearly.

Yes, we do.

We hear you clearly. So.

Thank you. So that's my feel. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much. You're welcome. Joanne Mitchell?

Still on mute.

There you go. That should be better. Hello. Hello. So, um, I've worked with Gwen and I, I, everything she says, she is an avid gardener and I try to be like when, so sometimes it works sometimes, um, like everyone else who has spoken tonight, we just have a love of this town. I've lived here for 35 years and it's home. to me and uh my husband and um i think that uh the assets that bloomfield has two of the major assets are the um beautiful uh open space the um the the land and also the gardens and as a matter of fact uh just other people notice that too there was an article in the uh journal inquirer i don't know if anybody saw it a few weeks ago about the top 100 uh town halls most attractive and bloomfield came in at 28th and the article said Bloomfield is living up to its name when you look at the beautiful blooms at the town hall. And so it is noticed and I'd like to be part of that and keep that image going that our town has. I did serve on the committee before and I have been active in helping out when I can. I was on another committee a couple of years ago and it was taking too much of my time. So I had to just commit to helping out when I could. I'm since off that committee and I have the time so I can go to the meetings. And was there any other questions? What did I miss?

That was it. Is there anything else that you would like us to know about you or your candidacy?

Well, I'm a home gardener as well. I love plants. And matter of fact, I just put in some plants on my own property today. But it's just a passion. And I think it makes a huge difference in Bloomfield. Somebody was mentioning how when you drive through and you see the parks, you see the town hall. I mean, that's really kind of represents who we are. and our respect for our environment. So that's it. And I'd love to give back to the town that I love. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

And Claire and Ruth are not here or on today.

OK. Mr. Chair, that's it.

I think that completes everybody. So the next part of the agenda is just the possible action regarding the appointment recommendation for the Zoning Board of Appeals. So can I get a motion?

I'd like to make a motion that we recommend Rick Rowe for the Zoning Board of Appeals.

I second.

Okay. All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? No. Any abstentions? Okay. That moves forward. The next thing on the agenda is public comment. And I don't know if there's anybody.

The chamber is clear. It is empty.

Okay. Wow. Anybody online want to make a public comment? Okay. We have concluded our business. So unless there's anything else, we can make a motion to adjourn.

So moved. Or you could have just said the agenda is complete.

But it's nice to have us participation, you know.