Academy Fountain Formally Handed Over to Town of Bridgewater

On Tuesday May 16th, the Bridgewater Improvement Association (BIA) formally handed over the newly renovated Academy Fountain to the Town of Bridgewater

The BIA, formed in the late 19th Century as a private group of citizens (now a non-profit corporation) focuses on the beautification of Bridgewater. For the last many years, Shirley Krasinski has been its president. The BIA plants trees on Main and Broad Streets, and has maintained the Common, Little Park, Dubin Park, grounds around the Academy Building, Library, Memorial Building, Town Hall, several traffic islands and much more here in Bridgewater. It has contributed millions of dollars to the beautification and maintenance of municipal grounds in Bridgewater.

On that Tuesday evening, the Academy Fountain, originally built in 1977, was officially handed over, in restored, excellent condition, to the Town. The Town was presented with a symbolic photo of the new fountain from the BIA and the Town presented a proclamation of thanks to the BIA. Michael Dutton, Town Manager, then announced the winner of a Town bid for landscape maintenance of much work the BIA has traditionally done.

At the same meeting, BIA President Shirley Krasinski stepped down from her presidency of the BIA after 14 years. Ms Krasinski will remain an active member of the BIA continuing her 40 year membership. She has provided excellent, quiet and strong leadership for the organization which, for over a century and until June 1, 2017, has provided landscaping and maintenance service to numerous municipal properties throughout the Town.The BIA will continue to maintain the Common, Dubin Park (in front of D’Angelo’s), the Little Park on Plymouth St and the grave sites of BIA benefactors, Flora T. and Walter Little. Properties formerly maintained by the BIA which will now be under the care of the Town are, in addition to the fountain, the Academy property, front, side and rear of the Library, the Memorial Building, Town Hall, the Boston Lantern street lights throughout Central Square, the Birch St. traffic island and several other traffic islands throughout the Town. Ellis Landscaping, long-time landscapers for the BIA, submitted the winning bid to provide services to those properties for the Town.

Respectfully Submitted,

Marilee Kenney Hunt
Bridgewater Town Clerk