Committee reviews park sign and fundraising thermometer after report it has raised $41,600

Amanda Kelly presented a draft, changeable park sign and fundraising thermometer to the Fairpoint Park Stakeholders Advisory Committee on July 7 and asked members for feedback on wording, milestone dates and where the QR code should link.

Kelly said the sign is designed with removable, laminated sticky-note-style entries and a fundraising thermometer that can be updated without reprinting. She asked whether the committee wanted to show a target fundraising goal on the sign or leave it blank. A committee member said a blank thermometer can be discouraging and recommended displaying the current amount raised; the chair earlier reported the committee has raised $41,600 as of June 30.

Members also tested the sign’s QR code and identified a potential navigation issue: the existing QR code directed users to the park homepage rather than the donation page. Kelly said she will coordinate with town web staff (Bob Gloacki) to make the QR code point directly to the donation flow and to ensure it is secure and won’t be redirected by a third-party sticker.

The committee discussed whether to list target dates on the sign. One member suggested adding target milestones that are clearly framed as estimates (for example, target date to conclude fundraising) to build public confidence without locking the committee to a hard opening date. Several members recommended keeping language simple and avoiding technical construction jargon so the public understands milestones.

Kelly said she would finalize the sign language after the committee agrees on minor wording changes, laminate the materials and coordinate installation with staff once the contract and kickoff meeting provide clearer schedule milestones.