Notes from the Fountain Committee May 20 via Zoom

Present:

• Kate Fletcher, Chair
• Carl Sprague
• Bob Jones

Also Present: Hilary Deely, President Laurel Hill, Michael Canales, Town Administrator

1. Minutes approved.
2. Plantings around the Cat and Dog Fountain and the Watering Trough.
   1. The Basin and the support for the basin were found to be in poor condition. It will require excavating and structural work. The committee agreed plantings precluded plantings this year due to excavation.
   2. Deely suggested a sign as people will wonder where the fountain is; she suggested "At the Vet".
3. Plantings around Horse Trough — Sprague and Deely will coordinate. Fletcher said plantings can be done as soon as Town "fixes plumbing". Suggestion: there be a spigot installed for watering plants. Plantings may be combination of roses, lavender and sage.
4. Basin repair: Jones reported that in the digging they discovered basin and basin support structure are in serious condition. Jones was surprised it was made of brick, and the bricks are crumbling. The entire structure needs replacement. Canales received an estimate of $18 — 20,000 to do the work if the Town does the excavation and the contractor's job is limited to pouring the concrete.
5. Fountain fun facts: as Jeffery Gulick worked on the restoration of the Cat and Dog Fountain, he discovered, one is a male and the other a female; they are fighting over possession of a dead rat. There are a number of animals beside the cat and dog, and there is an open-mouthed serpent. Gulick thought that may be the overflow control. On the other hand, Jones said Warren Haywood — former Building Inspector — conjectured the serpent was symbolic of underlying poison.

Meeting adjourned.

Sun and moon over Stockbridge Bowl. Photo: Patrick White