Township Beautification Committee Is No more

The Springfield Beautification Committee began in 1996 as the brainchild of Ruth Schwartz, who would act as its longtime chair. But with the recent change in municipal administration, the Beautification Committee has ceased to exist.

Questions and rumors have been flying around about the group's ending. Some observers have said it was disbanded by a Republican mayor because its members were Democrats.

Former members and others in town are quick to point to the group's accomplishments. Susan Permahos has been director of the Springfield Public Library for almost seventeen years. During that time she has seen improvements to the Library grounds, courtesy of the Committee, that includes two statues, pavers under the walkway benches, installation of an underground sprinkler system and donations of landscaping services. 

"They've done a lot of good" she said. And they did it without fanfare. For example, one day they just showed up with a bronze statute of a boy and girl reading that now sits on the Library lawn.  "You don't realize how many things that the Committee touched, what would have been an eyesore without their contribution."

Cecile Kaplan has been a Committee member for the last six or seven years. Her friend, Rosalie Berger invited her to join. Marge Grossbarth, Elaine Auer, Arlene Newman, Susan Lyons, Ted Lyons and Joy Kalfus made up the rest of the Committee.

Rosalie Berger told Patch she believes disbanding the Beautification Committee was a disservice to the community.  

"It is a wonderful group, everyone gets along and each member did different things," Berger said.

"We all had different days of responsibility"  agreed Kaplan. "But we all worked together on bigger projects such as choosing the sculptures donated to the Library." 

The group worked on projects almost all year round.  The Beautification Committee was responsible for holiday decorations and 'adopt a spot' locations around town. The group also redecorated the Faigenbaum Committee Room in Town Hall.

One of the Beautification Committee's most visible efforts has been the flower barrels seen in various parts of Town. "People love the flower barrels." Berger said. 

Mayor Shehady told Patch "The Beautification Committee was hardly disbanded as it does not exist as far as the state laws or local ordinances are concerned… My goal is to define the mechanism by which volunteers can efficiently continue do good and donate hours to the community. "

"The Beautification Committee consisted of residents who made purchases of items with taxpayer dollars from the budget (they've received over $10,000 a year for the past several years)," Shehady said. "The services of the DPW are almost always required to follow up on their projects (assembly of items, creation of items such as the planters, installation, etc), and the beautification, planting of flowers, and keeping public spaces 'groomed' was done by hiring a private landscaper with taxpayer dollars. 

"Their efforts and motivation is certainly appreciated but the work was not a wise use of taxpayer dollars or worth a duplication of the efforts by our DPW because their activities always required additional appropriations in the budget," Shehady said. 

He acknowledged their activities and accomplishments, but noted that they are the result of many years, over $100,000 in public funds and always required Department of Public Works or Administration to carry out the to-do list."

Shehady noted that it is hoped that a new board will be formed in the near future to plan and organize Township Improvement efforts. All Beautification Committee members are invited to participate.

Ruth Schwartz, currently in California, could not be reached for comment.