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Darien Beautification Commission weighs spending plan as treasurer reports $15,057.85 balance
Summary
At its June 10 meeting the Darien Beautification Commission discussed using remaining fiscal‑year funds before July 1 for additional plantings, reviewed recent expenses and planned coordination with the Department of Public Works on town‑hall plantings.
Sarah Schwarz, chair of the Darien Beautification Commission, called the group to order at 9 a.m. June 10 at Darien Town Hall.
Treasurer Tracey Whitehead reported recent expenditures and account balances, saying the commission paid about $5,000 for flags and has brackets for the Corbin district on order. She said the gift account will receive about $336.76 and that the commission expects additional brick‑fund proceeds. Tracey noted the commission will likely owe roughly $5,000 to a vendor identified in the meeting as “Elder” by the end of the month. The commission's line account balance was $15,057.85 as of June 8, 2026, but Tracey warned that pending bills will reduce that total.
Members discussed using the remainder of the fiscal‑year budget before the July 1 cutoff to add plants across town gardens and noted the commission’s tax‑exempt status when making purchases. Tracey said she will sit down with Ed Gentile of the Department of Public Works (DPW) after the commission receives its new budget to review priorities, including removing juniper at Town Hall. She also said she will consult the tax assessor about landlord questions for sites such as CVS.
Operational items included plans to use and store extra hanging baskets for the Corbin district; Tracey said she will bring four baskets to DR Bank later in the week and suggested ordering extras to sell next year. Danielle Seitz reported that Middlesex 250 flags purchased this year are lower cost and will remain up; annual flags will be taken down earlier to prolong their life. Danielle said David Genovese ordered the flags through Rings End and that she will manage billing and document flag assembly steps so future volunteers can reproduce the work.
The meeting closed with members making a motion to adjourn at 9:55 a.m.; the transcript records the motion but does not record a vote or formal outcome.
Next steps: staff and officers will follow up with DPW, reconcile outstanding vendor invoices, and finalize summer planting purchases before the July 1 budget cutoff.
