Minutes20090916

President, Dave Pasqualicchio Report:

Tonight the FVA members assemble after a summer snooze. With the summer of 09 behind us, it is time to focus on the work ahead to complete the 09 calendar with much success.

We have exciting news to tell you about. We have been approached by the Bristol Library Board, specifically, Jessica Dumont, to host and organize the Bristol Pumpkin Festival. With much thought we decided this would be a wonderful way to showcase Central Square, bring community together and a way to enjoy the season of fall, foliage and color.

More exciting news; the FVA has been selected as recipient of this year’s, Bristol Girls and Boys Club, Humanitarian Award, truly an honor. Working together, the membership of this FVA organization continues to establish ourselves in this community. A testament to hard work, pride and commitment to our mission statement, pays dividends. The Humanitarian Award Dinner is scheduled for October 21^st at the Clarion Hotel.

In closing, I do have a request. I would like to see more members attend monthly meetings. There are only 9 meetings a year. Take the opportunity to attend and enjoy our remaining events in 2009; the fall Pumpkin Festival, Turkey Shoot, Holiday Carol Sing and the Holiday Membership Gathering. More participation, more fun!!

City Village Report:

We have a great opportunity tonight to introduce the candidates for council for the 3^rd district. Councilmen, Frank Nicastro and Craig Minor have decided to step down, not running for reelection. All are newcomers to the election process:

Dave Mills, a retired BEHS teacher and football coach, wants to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. Mills says, Bristol shouldn't settle for less than best. As a coach, his philosophy was “to make your players as good as they can be” and as a councilor he would aim to make the city as good as it can be, and project a better image.

Kate Matthews is a life-long Forestville resident and an active member of the Forestville Village Association. She is a wife, mother and practicing attorney. Kate is committed to this community and its values. As your Democratic City Councilor, she will work hard to ensure that Forestville takes full advantage of the opportunities that are coming with the new Route 72 expansion and the planned K-8 school. Kate would greatly appreciate your input and be happy to answer any questions you might have. For contact information, please visit her website at www.electkatematthews.com, or call her at home (before 9 p.m., please) at 860-261-7463.

Terry Parker has over twenty-five years of experience in state and local government and is presently in charge of the day to day operations of the DEP Records Center, one of the top five facilities that citizens use to find information about their communities. He has served on the following boards, Bristol Community Organization, Building Committee for the two High Schools, Charter Revision Commission and presently serves on the Zoning Board of Appeals and has been the moderator for the 79C precinct for over twenty years. More needs to be done to figure out how to take advantage of the soon-to-be-completed Route 72 extension, to use it to help downtown and to bring growth along its length.

Gary Lawton, Independent Mayoral candidate, is a 46 year old welder, ready to lead the community in a new direction, to lend a hand to residents who are suffering through hard times and remove politics from the decision-making. He would like to see Forestville as the historic entryway to Bristol.

Membership showed great interest with this segment format.

Tom Dickau, (Forestville/Bristol Historian, lead Duck Man and now, Pumpkin Man) update:

FVA has decided through much thought process, to sponsor and co-host this year’s Bristol Pumpkin Festival. The location will be at Central Square, downtown Forestville. With Tom at the helm and the help of an expanded committee, under the tutelage of Jessica Dumont, Forestville resident, as well as other Library Board members, this event has the potential to become very special to the community.

Tom encourages all members of the Forestville Village Association to take part in this event, by carving a pumpkin, which will be provided, and/or build a scarecrow. We need you!!! We also need a volunteer, willing to carve the FVA Logo into a pumpkin. Call Tom 582-1537 or email him tdickau@sbcglobal.net or Marsha 582- 6245 mmtldml@sbcglobal.net , if you would like to take part in this community event or want a pumpkin or more information. We will illuminate the evening on Oct. 17^th with the rain date, Oct.18^th.

For this cultural event, FVA, with a unanimous vote, agreed to help fund this event. Other financial sources include, the former Pumpkin Festival Committee, the Mayor’s Team, the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce, and the Friends of the Library used to purchase 1000 goodie bags and stuffing. The 3 cash prizes, totaling $100, for the scarecrow contest winners and the option to have a FVA table at the Mum Festival on Oct 3^rd and 4^th, was agreed upon, as well.

We need Bristol Pumpkin Festival sponsors. Any donation is appreciated.

· The Christmas Ornament 2009 is now available for purchase. Sixth in the series, is Sarah E. Reynolds School, depicting the upper building on one side and the lower building on the reverse side. Our thanks go to Rick Fitzsimmons, artist, for the great rendition of the Reynolds’ buildings. It is truly a good looking ornament, at $10.00 each. The series of 6 ornaments are available at Nuchie’s.

· Thank you, Paul Kowalczyk, webmaster of www.fvact.org . We urge members to visit our website for event information, pictures, past minutes/newsletters and a current list of FVA business members, supporting them when possible. The website is a wonderful way to keep informed. Paul also provided a link to www.bristolpumpkinfestival.com. On this site is a cute children’s pumpkin game, listed under “fun stuff”, along with a list of festival events.

· Leo Bonola Remarks:

v The FVA 5^th annual Al Barnes Memorial Golf Tournament, held at Pine Valley on Sept. 10^th was a sell out and a great success. Great hosts, Lee and Larry DellaBianca of Pine Valley Country Club.

v Leo reminded all of the new Pine Lake Pole and Flag dedication held on Sept.19^th at 11am.

v Claire Girard was the name drawn in the monthly membership drawing. Sorry Claire, you had to be present at the meeting to win the six-$25 gift certificates. Another $25 certificate will be added for the October 14th drawing. Attend the meeting; you may be our next winner!!

Treasurer’s Report: Nancy Blanchette, treasurer

The treasurer’s report has been compiled by a wonderful young lady, Suzanne, Nancy’s assistant.

Beautification:

· Matt Strauss has been asked to locate and report on deserving property owners who deserve recognition in beautifying their surroundings.

· Thank you, Ron Trafford for your patience completing the 2^nd phase of the Central Square brick sales. Installation of 24 bricks has been completed. They look great and it is a wonderful opportunity to be forever engraved at Central Square, in the wonderful village of Forestville. Wouldn’t you like to be engraved in FVA revitalization? 3^rd phase brick sales to be announced.

· Nice idea….. Why not get a trash bag, take a nice stroll and pick up litter. It makes a difference and is great exercise!

· Thank you to the Lockhart’s, Marsha and Don, who have completed a seasonal display in the Golarz building windows. Also, thanks to Gerry Golarz for allowing FVA to do so.

· Paul Kowalczyk will search for a decorative trash receptacle to purchase for Central Square. It would be nice if it was green and matched the clock base, blending in. Any suggestions?

· Our gateway sign area is in need of maintenance such as trimming, mulch, mums etc. It is appreciated that Penny Crtichley has showed interest, in the cleaning up of this area.

Quinlan Park Project:

Our leader asks, “What is going on with Quinlan?” The Quinlan Park Committee is requested to attend the October meeting, to report on the time line and phases of this project. Do we need to reestablish the committee? Is there a need to set up future committee meetings to discuss overall plan, brick sales, and whether or not we need to scale down this project? It is time to focus on this elongated project and show some progress.

Fundraising:

· The night at the ball park was a great success. In addition to the profit on selling the tickets, we profited $335 from our volunteer members running the food concession.

· 2009 Turkey Shoot will be held at the November 18^th meeting. We are envisioning each FVA member will take a target and sell a slice of the target, to family and friends, at only, a $1.00 a slice. The winner, a winner on every target, will receive a $15 gift certificate to South Side Market. You may return your target at the Nov. meeting or you may call Marsha at 5826245 or email mmtldml@sbcglobal.net for more information or to arrange pickup of your completed, target and money. Please participate, this is an easy fundraiser for FVA.

Correspondence Report:

· Welcome back, Mary Ellen Holden, FVA Volunteer extraordinaire! Great job, you are a local legend.

· Thank you to Frank Owsianko for setting up the American Flags throughout the center, on the Patriotic Holidays.

· Welcome to Forestville a new Latino restaurant. We wish much success.

· Thank you Mike Pasqualicchio for the great job with the Al Barnes 5^th annual Golf Tournament. It was a success.

· Thank you to Lee and Larry Dellabianca, owners Pine Valley golf club, for coordination of the tournament; very nice to work with.

· Scoops and Dreams; sorry to see you leave. You were all about what FVA would like to see in the center. We will miss you.

· Thank you to Ultimate Co. staff and especially Nancy, our treasurer for hosting the summer concert. The property looked great.

· Received a Thank you from United Way, Adopt a student program. Ours was the best dressed kid.

· Thank you Gail Leach for writing the very special letter for FVA.

· Sympathy notices were sent out to the family of Angelo Ziotas, passing of mom, and to the John Tyne family.

· Received thank you from the family of Desi Deschaine.

· Beautification notice sent to 53 Overlook Ave. Very nice.

Reminder: Forestville Village Association accepts memorial contributions in memory of loved ones.

Community Requests and Donations:

· Paint the Town Pink, the Bristol Hospital, breast cancer awareness

· Bristol Historical Society towards their annual fundraiser.

· Bristol Chamber Holiday Parade

· Veteran’s Council Educational Services of Memorial Boulevard for buses

FVA Coming Events: Mark Your Calendars!

· October 14^th Meeting - Nomination of FVA Officers with elections at the November 18^th meeting.

· Pumpkin Festival - Oct, 17^th, rain date Oct 18^th, Carve a pumpkin, build a scarecrow and join the festivities. We are illuminating Central Square!

· Veteran’s Day Service at Quinlan Park - November 11^th Leo Bonola and Rick Leach will put a brief program together.

· Turkey Shoot – November 18^th meeting – Let’s sell those slices of the targets and make this not only a fun project, but a successful fundraiser.

· Holiday Carol Sing – to be announced

Next meeting – October 14, 2009 at Nuchie’s – 6pm

Please make an effort to attend.