New village group blossoms

Spring has sprung in Brightwaters Village – and residents are making it known.

In an effort to beautify the village as flowers start to bloom, Brightwaters residents have come together to form the Brightwaters Garden Group.

Village Hall office assistant Jeanne Pirkl was part of the effort to form the group earlier this year.

“The mission behind the Garden Group is to have fellow Brightwaters residents come together whose common goal is to enhance the village’s public spaces through our enjoyment of gardening,” Pirkl said.

To kick off the spring season, the organization had its first public meeting Tuesday, March 9 at Wohseepee Park cabin, where mayor John Valdini briefly addressed the group.

“It’s great that a bunch of residents are getting together to help Brightwaters,” Valdini said. “Oftentimes, residents don’t want to overcommit themselves and take on too much, but they’re happy to help out where they’re needed. I’m looking forward to working with the group to help beautify the village.”

The group’s public spaces consist of the downtown business district flower boxes and decorative lampposts, eight Brightwaters signs, village parks and the Cascades at the Lakes, Pirkl said.

Roughly 24 residents have already expressed interest in the first planting event, which is tentatively set for mid-May, Pirkl said.

Valdini noted that the village only has a six-man highway crew that is responsible for all landscaping and gardening in Brightwaters. This group may be able to assist with some of these projects.

“I’m grateful to everyone in the village for stepping forward and doing their part,” he said.