Hamden Clean and Green Commission Announces Orchid Award Winners

On Saturday, Hamden celebrates Earth Day at Hamden Middle School, and part of the day’s festivities includes the presentation of the 2013 Orchid Awards by Mayor Scott Jackson.

These awards, sponsored by the Hamden Clean and Green Commission, will be presented at noon and are given in recognition of the commitment demonstrated by town businesses or individuals to safeguard the character and physical appearance of the town for all its citizens.

The members of the Hamden Clean and Green Commission will recognize Betty Murray with the civic award and Specialty Wire and Cord Sets with the business award. 

Murray is a community activist who demonstrates a commitment to improving the living environment for the residents of Hamden. Murray, who works for Hartford Hospital and the CT Cancer Partnership, moved to Hamden four years ago, and although she was happy with her decision to relocate to Hamden from Baltimore, she wasn’t pleased with some of thethings she saw out her front window.

After contacting the Mayor’s office with some of her concerns, Betty decided to get out on the street and take action to shift the mentality in her neighborhood. As she says, “Small interventions lead to hope.”

She worked with her neighbors to form the First Street Community Group, organized community clean ups and reached out to local businessesto raise awareness of the need to maintain property and cut down on loitering and litter. She was especially pleased with the response of Pianca Pizza, located at 1072 Dixwell Ave, for the owner’sefforts to work with the residents.


In the near future Betty hopes to organize a Homeowners Association that will set standards for property maintenance, address the issue of absentee landlord neglect, and create a green space and walk-able area in the First Street neighborhood. Knowing from her professional experience the impact of environment on health, Betty is committed to making her neighborhood clean and green, whether that involves cutting a neighbor’s grass or organizing a rally after a shooting on her street.

This year’s recipient of the business property award, Specialty Wire and Cord Sets, is located at One Gallagher Road. Mr. & Mrs. Liborio Campo, who own this business, are receiving this award because they exemplify the Commission’s goal to beautify Hamden through the thoughtful maintenance and scenic landscaping of their property and for their efforts to protectthe environment.

The Campo’s started Specialty Wire in 1990. As their business grew and their customer basis expanded, they worked with the town’s Economic Development Office to buy and build on a portion of the D’Addio farm off Putnam Ave.

They moved into this new facility two years ago and have landscaped the property, installed recycle and refuse containers, and made a commitment to keep the business and property “green.” A closed water system was installed and all the spools, reels, and skids that are used in the business are returned or recycled regardless of cost to them.

Because of snow storm damage to the property, Lee and Lynn Campo are working on the necessary repairs and installing safeguards to prevent future property erosion.

Their commitment to a cleaner and greener Hamden does not stop at their property line. The Campo’s are active members of the Hamden Rotary and have volunteered for several of their clean ups. In addition, Lynn Campo enjoys walking her dogs along the Farmington Canal Line, which abuts Specialty Wire property. When she does, she always brings along a trash bag and a scooper to pick up litter and dog refuse left behind by other trail users. She says she is “looking forward to walking my granddaughter on the trail” this summer and will continue to clean it up.

The members of the Hamden Clean and Green Commission are delighted to recognize such thoughtful and considerate business owners with the 2013 Orchid Award.

The Hamden Clean and Green Commission, whose members are volunteer citizens working to promote and encourage actions and strategies designed to improve the appearance of Hamden, periodically recognize Hamden businesses and organizations for outstanding effort in maintaining the appearance of our town.

In 2011-12 businesses whose efforts were acknowledged by the Commission include: Café Amici on Whitney Ave, Ibiza Tapas & Wine Bar on Dixwell Ave, DJ’s Liquors Unlimited on Fairview Ave, Mt. Carmel Wine & Spirits on Whitney Ave, the Sunoco Service Station at 1624 Dixwell Ave, the KFC at 1499 Dixwell Ave and MJB Associates, a property management company for their maintenance of the Hamden Plaza buildings and grounds.

If you know of a business/organization that may be eligible for recognition for its efforts in this area, contact Gerry Tobin, the Commission’s administrative assistant, at gerrytobin@sbcglobal.net with the name and location of the business and the reason for the nomination.