Thirsty?

Two new water fountains and a dog fountain will be installed in early spring along the new trail at Fairfield Hills. Walkers and joggers passing by the Victory Garden will be able to quench their thirst there and at another location near Glander field. The estimated cost of $28,000 will come from a Fairfield Hills Authority (FHA) account.

Parks and Recreation Director Amy Mangold and Assistant Director Carl Samuelson met with Fairfield Hills Authority members in September to talk about the project, prompted in part by a phone call to Ms Mangold from FHA Chairman Tom Connors. He had called her to say he enjoys walking the trails, and asked about water fountains, “and did we have any plans,” she said.

She and Mr Connors started talking about possibilities. She turned to Mr Samuelson, who said that water “is one of the most requested items.” Many people bring bottled water, he said.

“We only really have the infrastructure [to install fountains] in two spots,” Mr Samuelson said. While those locations would leave the fountain’s availability “unbalanced,” and serving only certain areas of campus, Mr Samuelson thought the two places were feasible. He also said that fountains would need to be winterized. He found “freeze free” fountains and a pet fountain, he said.

The pedestal style black fountains, produced by Haws, resemble the light poles throughout the campus, Mr Samuelson said.

After listening to the brief discussion from the recreation staff, Mr Connors said that bringing fountains to Fairfield Hills had seemed simple, “But it’s not that easy,” he realized. Although a small addition, “This would be an enhancement.”

“Where’s the money coming from?” asked authority member Terry Sagedy.

“We have [roughly $200,000] in our ‘bucket,’” Mr Connors said referring to a Fairfield Hills account. He felt they should tap that account to pay for fountains “to enhance the campus,” he said.

After briefly discussing costs, member James Bernardi moved to appropriate $28,000 for installing two water fountains and a dog fountain. The Parks and Recreation Department staff will oversee the project.