He stated Parks & Recreation Director Scott Johnson, Jr. and many Town
Councilors also attended the event. He stated because it was an Informal
Gathering there was not an agenda, and no minutes were taken. He stated during
their conversations with the residents, they learned there was a lot of
miscommunication, explaining that the residents did not know who to contact,
where the authority lied, or what was already in the works. He went on to explain
with the concerted efforts of the Parks & Recreation Department, Public Works
Department, and the Police Department that the Park on East Drive was now
beautiful. He stated that brush was removed from the entrance, it was now well
lite, the parking lot was re- done, a new playscape and woodchips were installed,
and residents were enjoying the Park. He stated it was great to engage with the
residents to talk about things the community wanted to talk about.
Councilor Paul went on to state the previous Committee also held an Informal
Conversation on May 14, 2022 at the Nathan Lester House for residents to meet
the members of the Town Council and the Mayor and to learn about the needs of
the community. He stated the hope was that it would give residents an
opportunity to talk with their elected officials in a setting that was less formal
than a public meeting that was being recorded and broadcast. However, he stated
despite advertising efforts, with placing something in the Thames River Times,
on the town’s website, and on Councilor’s social media pages the event was not
well attended.
Chairman Rodriguez stated the Informal Conversation for Christy Hill Park on
East Drive was well attended, noting that letters and flyers were mailed to the
residents in
the area.
Administrative Assistant stated the reasons the Christy Hill Park on East Drive
was successful was because: (1) The Committee was responding to residents’
concerns; and (2) It was well advertised, noting that Councilor Paul, as the
Chairman of the Community Relations Committee, at that time, sent letters to all
the residents who lived within a certain area of the park, which was followed up
with a Flyer reminding the residents of the event.
Ms. Maher continued by noting as an example if the Committee was planning to
host an Informal Conversation at the new Lantern Hill Waterfront Park (Long
Pond), which was the property Mr. and Mrs. Graham donated to the town (leased
for $10 per year) with the following objectives: (1) Showcase the Lantern Hill
Waterfront Park, (2) Provide some history regarding Long Pond; (3) Provide
information regarding the importance of preventing invasive plants from being
transferred from different bodies of water, and (3) Engage residents. She noted
that Mrs. Graham spoke at both the Town Council’s February 14, 2024 meeting
and the Finance Committees’ February 21, 2024 meeting about the danger of the
invasive plants and the Lantern Hill’s Association interest to develop a
Sustainable Boat Launch Monitoring Program at the Long Pond State Boat
Launch. She stated the Committee could send a letter to the residents in that area
to garner interest in attending the Informal Conversation in the Park.
