Speakers to play music in downtown Springfield

By the time Springfield residents are stuffing turkeys and their bellies, Springfield could be abuzz with the sound of easy listening music, originating from the lamp posts downtown.

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2017-09-14 / Front Page Print article Print Speakers to play music in downtown Springfield By KELSEY CHRISTENSEN kchristensen@eagletimes.com SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — By the time Springfield residents are stuffing turkeys and their bellies, Springfield could be abuzz with the sound of easy listening music, originating from the lamp posts downtown. On Monday, the selectboard voted unanimously to authorize Lawrence and Wheeler Insurance Agency, Springfield on the Move, Springfield Regional Development Corporation (SRDC), and the Springfield Rotary to install outlets and speakers in the lamp posts downtown, which will broadcast music throughout the downtown. The selection will include light jazz or Michael Bolton, according to Paul Kendall, owner and president of Lawrence and Wheeler. Kendall got the idea for the project when a friend suggested to him that playing light jazz outside his office would stave away miscreant youths from the premises, though the idea also grew out of a desire to memorialize the late Leland Lawrence, who once owned Lawrence and Wheeler, an avid devotee and benefactor of music in the community. The installation will come at no cost to the town of Springfield, with much of the money coming from a fund created in honor of Lawrence. Bob Flint, of SRDC, and Kendall have also approached the Springfield Rotary for grant money, and netted technicians, including local Ira Wilner of Saxtons River, for consultation on the effort. “I think it’s awesome,” said selectboard member Stephanie Thompson. Springfield will miss the opportunity to treat the downtown to Halloween tunes due to the project's estimated completion date, but holiday music is anticipated in the winter months. The selectboard meeting also included a proclamation of recognition and gratitude to the Springfield Garden Club. Established in 1940 and boasting 71 members, the Garden Club tends to the beds outside of Town Hall, at the Springfield Plaza traffic island, on the Toonerville Trail, and more. They also grant annual scholarships in forestry, environmental studies, and horticulture to college-bound residents and host the annual Festival of the Trees. The forthcoming winter festival will carry the theme Silver Bells. “I want to extend our appreciation and recognition, on behalf of the selectboard and the town,” said selectboard Chair Kristi Morris. Amy Howlett, director of the Springfield Town Library, attended the selectboard meeting to net two selectboard members to contribute to the library’s forthcoming strategic planning process. Howlett says that their previous plan has lapsed, and it’s time to move forward in a new direction. “We will establish a vision for Springfield, and the role the library plays in getting us there,” Howlett said. Consultant Lawrence Webster will aid in the strategic planning process, to take place over two four-hour meetings on the last Wednesdays of September and October. Michael Martin volunteered to take part, while either Peter MacGillivray or Walter Martone to serve as the second participant.