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02/23/2022 08:12 AMMembers of the town-wide Guilford Welcome Sign Committee are celebrating the completion of the signage installations at all of town’s exit/off ramps on I-95. According to the group, the signs will inform travelers that Guilford is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places and will direct them to the historic districts, visitor kiosk, Town Green, local businesses, and the marina.
Committee Chair Mike Meisel said the project has been in the works since 2015 and was the result of a dedicated and coordinated effort by a number of organizations and private citizen volunteers.
“These beautiful signs,” said Meisel, “will welcome travelers to our town’s unique heritage and will direct them to the historic districts, Town Green, shops and restaurants, and the marina.”
First Selectman Matt Hoey said at a dedication ceremony several weeks ago that the project will help area merchants who need every boost they can get after struggling amidst the pandemic and also highlight the heritage of Guilford.
“This project couldn’t happen at a better time, with our full rebound from the pandemic underway and Guilford regaining its full vitality as a great place to live and visit,” Hoey said, “This project fills the need to welcome travelers and introduce them to Guilford and its incredible array of historic places, and it couldn’t happen at a better time.”
According to Shirley Girioni, president of the Guilford Preservation Alliance (GPA), which is the key sponsor, the completion of the project is a great day for Guilford and only succeeded with generous contributions from the community.
“The installation of these welcome signs fulfills the GPA’s several years of planning to promote our incredible array of historic attractions. We’re thrilled,” Gironi said. “It is a dream come true for heritage tourism. The GPA gave most generously to fund the project. Many institutional donors including the Guilford Foundation, corporations, family foundations, civic groups, local professionals, and individuals have donated generously as well.”
Meisel echoed the need to assist area merchants in any way possible, as the COVID pandemic affects every aspect of business. He also spoke gratefully of the effort by all of the volunteers involved.
“We’re especially grateful to the GPA and thank all our other generous sponsors, as well as the members of our hard-working Committee, John Miller at Autografix, which made the signs and Barronlee Grasso who is doing the hardscaping, and, of course, Brian McGlone and Sheri Cote, past and present economic development coordinators who supported us throughout the process,” said Meisel.
The effort to design, install and pay for the signs has been undertaken by a joint committee of members from three town organizations, according to Meisel: GPA, the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce, and the Economic Development Commission.
Other Guilford Welcome Sign Committee volunteers include Chamber Chair Kim Spanier; EDC members Wendy Dockray, Dave Eagan, Damian Gunningsmith, Karen Stevens, and Beth Brause; and community representatives Roberta Flannery, Mary Repetti, and Sue Robbins.
Cote also serves on the committee and helped guide its efforts. John Miller and his firm Autografix manufactured the signs, and John Cunningham designed the hardscaping to minimize maintenance. Barronlee Grasso coordinated the hardscaping and Todd Ingarra from the Connecticut Department of Transportation all donated time and effort.