This exciting contest challenges property owners and tenants in Springfield and North Springfield to boost the appearance of their properties with a home or landscaping improvement.
Improvements may be major, or just that small touch that adds style or pizazz to the property. Whatever the project, it must be highly visible from the street. Tenants must provide written approval for the project from their landlord. Discounts on relevant materials will be available through mid-August. Details about consultations and discounts on materials will be provided upon entry.
“The Challenge can be a friendly competition among neighbors, provide positive action for Springfield, and help build community spirit and pride” said Mike Martin, who grew up in Springfield and currently serves on the Selectboard. While listening to concerns about attracting new home owners and businesses to the town during a Project Action meeting, Mike explained how these competitions have been used in other communities to improve visual appeal and community spirit. He continued, “I know we have a lot of issues to address here in Springfield. There is no one thing that will solve all our problems. But no one can deny that sprucing up the community will help improve our spirits”.
A panel of judges from neighboring towns will choose three winners of the Challenge. The Grand Prize winner will receive $500 for the greatest overall impact of improvements to a yard, the exterior of a home, or both. A second prize of $200 will be awarded on the same basis. A Biggest Bang for Your Buck Prize of $150 will be awarded for the greatest impact of a home or yard improvement that cost the owner $300 or less. Prizes will be awarded at a public event in mid-September. Winners do not need to be present at the event to receive their prize, but it will be more fun if they are.
To enter the Springfield Curb Appeal Challenge, official entry forms will be available at locations in Springfield beginning on June 19th, or you may register online at https://upna.wufoo.com/forms/springfield-vermont-curb-appeal-challenge. Or you can request an entry form by contacting Union/Park Neighborhood Association at upnainc@gmail.com or 885-6388. The $15 entry fee (to cover administration costs) can be paid by credit card at the online site, or by check with an Official Entry Form and “before” photo mailed to UPNA at 101 Union Street, Springfield 05156.
The Curb Appeal Challenge is a joint effort sponsored by Muse & Associates real estate, Union/Park Neighborhood Association, Bibens Home Center, Woodbury’s Florist, Sherwin-Williams Paints, Mascoma Savings Bank, Claremont Savings Bank, Muse & Associates, Inc., the Town of Springfield and the Springfield Reporter. If you want to make an improvement but aren’t sure where to begin, the Challenge organizers will arrange for a free one-time consultation from a local real estate or gardening expert.
For questions or further details about the Curb Appeal Challenge, call 885-6388 or email upnainc@gmail.com.
Click Here for entry form to print out
Lipstick on a pig....
ReplyDeleteA worthy program that will only benefit the community. As additional motivation perhaps a booby prize can also be awarded for the most disgusting eye sore. Let's call it the "Hunter Award." (Rather fitting, don't you think?) Establish a point system for, trash, peeling paint, unregistered vehicles, dilapidated garage, worst lawn, creative use of Tyvek and tar paper, old tires, junk gas grills, lawn mowers and bicycles, front lawn dumpsters, rotting/sagging porches & decks, cinder block door steps, broken windows, dead/fallen trees, permanent Christmas lights, empty/dilapidated swimming pool, wood pile in the front yard, etc., etc. Allow for bonus points if a double wide. Have to admit, would be tough choosing with all that abundant criteria. Damn I love this town! It's like one, big, Sunnyvale Trailer Park.
ReplyDeleteThis exciting contest challenges property owners and tenants in Springfield and North Springfield to boost the appearance of their properties with a home or landscaping improvement.
ReplyDeleteWho the heck has money enough left over after paying Springfield's exhorbitant "rental fees" (taxes) to be able to afford such improvememts? Once again, the dreamers have convinced themselves that silly contests and other dubious feel good initiatives will have some magical placebo effect that will transform a town that has fallen to the bottom of the well of economic despair.
If the town is serious about property improvement, they'd offer taxpayers a 1 to 1 property tax credit for accomplishing such work instead of a booby prize of a couple hundred bucks.
Communities live by "norms," standards which are accepted as the usual by almost all. For example, while we are appalled at the idea of an adult male having sex with a teenage or pre-teen boy, in ancient Greece it was considered "normal."
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, there are neighborhoods across America where publicly strewn trash, broken windows, vandalized siding and neglected lawns are considered "normal."
While some might not be moved to upgrade the appearance of their own place when a neighbor does improvements, almost all appreciate the touch of beauty that has appeared, and quite a few will upgrade their expectations for the neighborhood's "normal" appearance.
And would-be purchasers of a Springfield home will believe that the appearance of the home they see indicates the neighborhood norm. If they like the norm, they will be more likely to move there and to uphold that standard.
As for property improvement, WE are the "town." Tax credits are simply government's way of transferring more money to those who don't need it, and do not serve us. It is up to us to do this for ourselves and our neighbors, and if somebody wants to toss money our way for exercising initiative, it's their privilege to do so.
I am entering today, and have had it in mind since I saw the announcement at the library... this is FUN. I do hope there will be some kind of go-see-the-yards event around your judgement time... and maybe we can even get together to share ideas! Carol Stone
ReplyDelete