Burlington City Hall flowerbeds are bursting. Who do we have to thank?

Zinnias, marigolds, petunias and others (that someone more knowledgeable than this writer could name) adorn the two beds in front of City Hall. 

The offerings are impressive and delightful, but someone more concerned about fiscal conservatism might wonder: What the heck does it cost the City of Burlington?

A quick review of the city's 2018 financial report (yes, the flowers were brilliant this past summer too) revealed no line item for flowers or beautification, but it did offer a hint at who we might have to thank. 

The report lists Mary E. Waddell as the the person who left in 1988 with a fund "to be for planting flowers in public flower beds."

Who was this woman? A search of Free Press archives makes no mention of her but she does appear in the 1943 University of Vermont bulletin as an Alumni Council representative for the class of 1930. 

If Mary is indeed responsible for the flowers in front of City Hall, all aesthetes thank her.

Contact Emilie Stigliani at 802-660-1897 or estigliani@freepressmedia.com. Follow on Twitter: @EmilieStigliani.