The Carlyle Beautification Committee met on Tuesday at town hall where they discussed several plans for revamping the aesthetics of Carlyle.
The meeting determined the direction and finalized details and ideas that were drafted in the previous meeting held April 29th. The ideas outlined in that meeting were brought over and addressed, including plans to have unified beautification theme along Main Street. As well as the improvements of Centennial and West Parks. However the single predicament that surrounded each phase of their discussion was the committee's budget. The proposed modifications involve the replacement of park benches and the installation of new ones across the town. However the planting of trees and flowers in parks and high traffic areas like Main Street will be the focus during spring. In addition to the budget woes, thier committee highlighted the extensive lack of volunteers to aid in planting trees and flowers across town and more importantly the lack of commitment to maintenance.
"We used to have a good team going. Marylyn used to tell me what to do I'd do it," Alderman Roy Olmstead said highlighting the difference with volunteer work with Carlyle residents of the past.
However Alderman Jennifer Sedor said she would be able to get children to assist with the beautification in effort to alleviate the volunteer problem.
Members also discussed the plan for a beautification competition in Carlyle; the name of the competition is still in the works. The idea is to have residents compete in an attempt to have the best looking yard which would simultaneously improve the town's look. It would also include the businesses in town but as opposed to improving a yard it would be beautifying the exterior of their location with not only flowers but adding any improvement they deem necessary bringing a renewed sense of cleanliness to Carlyle. The idea came on the heels of discussions regarding the high volume of litter that can now be found on the streets in town and committee members stressed how residents have been nonchalant about garbage and yard care.
Huguette Lutz was appalled at the approach many residents have toward yard care and how deplorable the conditions are within some yards in Carlyle. She said the issue will be address at the next council meeting."It's been pretty bad...it's just bizarre what people think is their right," Lutz said.
The plan of action at the end of the meeting was that plants will be purchased, while some will be donated and the gathering of man power will commence. Once this is achieved a date will be set and planting will begin. The next beautification meeting will be on May 27 and the committee are urging residents to volunteer as this department within the committee has been seriously lacking.
