FFHA Welcomes

New Officers, Honors Volunteers

By Kendra Bobowick

The Fairfield Hills Authority started its new year with new officers.

Member James Bernardi was quick to accept the chairman’s position, while Michael Holmes soon agreed to be vice chair Wednesday, January 18.

Nominating Mr Bernardi during this week’s authority meeting, outgoing Chairman John Reed offered brief comments: “When I look at the history of the people who have been chairman, they are not entirely retired, but they have time to devote…” Working on what turned out to be a correct assumption that Mr Bernardi — an attorney who can put in more than 70 hours weekly at times — would step up as chair, Mr Reed added, “The vice chair should be able to provide support to [Mr Bernardi].”

Member Andrew Willie then nominated Mr Bernardi, which Mr Reed promptly seconded.

“I accept,” Mr Bernardi said, rising to ceremonially switch seats at the table with Mr Reed.

Mr Reed soon asked, “Ok, who is going to be vice chair?”

Recognizing Mr Reed’s “good point” that Mr Bernardi’s work week could be long, he said, “I need a strong vice chair.” Mr Holmes volunteered. He said, “I look forward to it; it’s a rough sea and we have a lot coming up.”

With a significant nod to Mr Reed, the new chairman said, “I have noticed your efforts and dedication and I think you yielded positive results and pushed for and achieved improvements [for the Fairfield Hills campus].”

Mr Bernardi continued, “You held out the campus as a viable center for future development, you worked on various projects…that’s a lot of work, and for free as a town citizen.”

Mr Willie also noted another of Mr Reed’s contributions, “Without you, I don’t even know if the trails would be there.”

In past years Mr Reed had overseen plans for trail improvements, which resulted in resurfacing, extensions, and the groundwork for additional trail work.

Before trading seats with Mr Bernardi, Mr Reed had said, “One of the things I like best about this group is we could disagree and then go right back to normal relationships. It’s a normal part of life to have different thoughts.” He said, “I have enjoyed the opportunity, and I wish you all well. I think there is some work yet to do.”

A Victory In The Garden

One of his last acts as chairman saw Mr Reed offering resident and volunteer Harvey Pessin a certificate of recognition for his efforts in establishing the community Victory Garden planted in Fairfield Hills in 2011. The garden’s yield benefited the town’s food pantries.

Mr Reed said, “[The garden] spoke to the citizens’ utilization of Fairfield Hills that typified the aspirations of [residents] when [the town] decided to purchase Fairfield Hills.” He said, “It’s a project of a worthy cause. It involves volunteers and worthy results, and I wanted to recognize that.” Wishing he could do more for Mr Pessin, Mr Reed joked, “A nice weekend somewhere is not in the cards; a certificate will have to do.”

The Parks and Recreation Department staff also played a large role in establishing the garden, and providing labor hours and equipment to get it going, which Mr Reed pointed out.

Minutes before becoming the chairman, Mr Bernardi read to certificate aloud: “The authority presents this certificate of appreciation to Harvey and all who took part in the profound civic contribution — the Victory Garden.” He read, “The garden improved the lives of people in the community, provided food for the pantries.”

Amid applause, Mr Pessin told his story. “If I had a nickel for every idea I had I would be rich; this was an idea I had.” He said he visited other gardens, attended seminars, read “every book in the library, but it was still an idea.” He admitted that “it wasn’t until [Parks and Recreation Director Amy Mangold] called me and asked if I would do the garden with her group … that’s when it became something.” He had spoken with her and others about the garden, which soon became a reality in 2011. He feels the project is a springboard for other projects. One garden volunteer and mother of a Reed Intermediate School student started her own Reed garden club.

Mr Pessin described one visit to the garden this summer, “I went one day and there were 18 kids there and they were so enthusiastic.” To others who believe they have beneficial ideas, he said, “Do it.”

Remembering when Mr Pessin had explained the idea to Mr Reed, the former chairman said, “The idea was the easy part, but doing the hard work, that’s when everything blossoms.” He said, “Nothing gives us greater pleasure than to take a limited open space and see something productive happen. We appreciate your hard work.”

Mr Pessin is planning a Victory Garden kick-off meeting and garden lecture at the Newtown Municipal Center between 3:30 and 6 pm on February 29. Victory Garden volunteers and friends are welcome. Contact Mr Pessin at Harve9@yahoo.com.