Commission honors Matthies Foundation

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Beacon Falls First Selectman Gerard Smith, right, reads a proclamation declaring Monday, March 18, 2013 Katharine Matthies Foundation Day while foundation committee member Jane Hull looks on during the Parks and Recreation Commission’s meeting Monday in Town Hall. The foundation was recognized by Smith and the commission for the assistance it has provided the town. -LUKE MARSHALL
Beacon Falls First Selectman Gerard Smith, right, reads a proclamation declaring Monday, March 18, 2013 Katharine Matthies Foundation Day while foundation committee member Jane Hull looks on during the Parks and Recreation Commission’s meeting Monday in Town Hall. The foundation was recognized by Smith and the commission for the assistance it has provided the town. -LUKE MARSHALL

BEACON FALLS — The Parks and Recreation Commission and First Selectman Gerard Smith came together Monday night to show their appreciation to the Katharine Matthies Foundation.

Commission Chairman Joe Rodorigo said the foundation has helped the town and commission in completing numerous projects that benefit residents including include new playscapes in Matthies Park and Pent Road Park, a pavilion at Matthies Park and bridges around the trail at Matthies Park.

“Many of the major expenditure projects just couldn’t have been done without their generosity,” Rodorigo said.

The commission presented Katharine Matthies Foundation committee member Jane Hull a book of photographs of the projects the town has been able to complete with help from the foundation. The commission also unveiled a new plaque commemorating the foundation that will be placed at Matthies Park.

Hull said the committee would be very happy with the book of photographs, since it doesn’t always get to see the end results of its assistance.

“This is great because we love to see the feedback. We get the paperwork feedback but we don’t get the pictures unless we go there ourselves. So this is a real treat. On behalf of the committee I thank you and they will be very pleased,” Hull said.

The foundation, which began in 1987, was created to honor the generosity of Katharine Matthies, according to the foundation’s website. The foundation serves towns in the lower Naugatuck Valley with grants towards projects that help better the community.

Smith said as first selectman he has come to see just how much the foundation helps the town.

“I just want to say that, even before I was first selectman, I understood the Katharine Matthies did so much for the town. Now that I’m involved, and I see it, the foundation is just so, so great for the town.” Smith said. “I want to say thank you. Your contributions mean a lot.”

Smith presented Hull with a proclamation thanking the foundation for its work it has done and marking March 18, 2013 as Katharine Matthies Foundation Day.

Hull said that Matthies would have been honored by the recognition.

“I think it is a wonderful honor that they made March 18 a day to remember her,” Hull said.