DPW Workers Clean Up Colony

Editor's note: The article below was written by Chatham Township Committee Member Kathy Abbott.

"We are planting these strong-rooted plants to beautify the grounds and to protect our municipal investment in a new fence," said Kathy Abbott, Township Committee Liaison to the Colony Pool Advisory Committee. “We have very sandy soil here and there was significant erosion at the footings of the old fence.”  

Township Resident Pete Coviello, who is on the Colony Pool Advisory Committee, advised the pool on which plants would thrive and hold the soil the best.

Dawn Ferguson, a longtime Colony member, happily answered the call for planting volunteers. “I raised my children here and I still enjoy it. When my husband and I came from Brooklyn, we were especially attracted to its green, park-like feeling.”

Julia Fiumara, a Colony Advisory Committee member, also helped install the plantings, along with her daughter Olivia. Julia owns a garden design company called "Simply A Garden," and has volunteered her expertise over the last several years to design new flowerbeds and lead volunteers in the planting of annuals and perennials.

"People have told me the flowers make a huge visual improvement," said Fiumara. “These new plantings will hold back erosion and buffer the view of the fence.”

George Foot, who heads up Paddle Tennis and is a Colony Advisory Committee member, also pitched in.

Pool member Andrea Harris joined the planting volunteers, as well. “For me and my kids, Colony is that special great place to meet up again with all our summer friends and sit under those big glorious trees in the peaceful shade or in the sunshine.  It is a wonderful community-- and it's only minutes from the house!