Volunteers Bring a Splash of Color to Burlington’s Human Services Building
A COA member’s idea, a realtor’s donation, and a team of volunteers later — the grounds at 61 Center St. are looking pretty great this fall.
Walk past Burlington's Human Services Building at 61 Center Street right now and you’ll notice something different: mums and seasonal displays of hay bales, pumpkins, and cornstalks have transformed the grounds into something worth stopping to look at.
The project got its start in the fall of 2025 when Council on Aging member Bob Young reached out to local businesses about bringing more color to the property. Realtor Paul Conti stepped up to fund the initial planting of mums and daffodil bulbs in memory of his late parents — longtime COA participants. The Burlington Garden Club joined in that November, helping plant over 200 bulbs that bloomed bright yellow the following spring. The effort has continued season after season, said Young, with Parks and Recreation covering summer plantings and the volunteer crew returning each fall.
“It adds a lot of color to the building that people are really happy to see,” said Council on Aging Director Marge Yetman.
Volunteers who helped make it happen include Alice McCarthy, Jean Golden, Sandi Madigan, Ruth Yanetti, Joan Trubiano, Karen Noonan, Ted Manka, Elizabeth Manka, and Bob Young.
Volunteers ad a pop of color and autumn decor to the grounds at 61 Center Street. From top left: Bob Young and his wife Alice McCarthy; Jean Golden, Bob Young, Ruth Yanetti; Elizabeth and Ted Manka; Jean Golden, Karen Noonan, Bob Young; the side entrance; the main entryway to the property.
