Commission on Conservation & Agriculture

Commission on Conservation & Agriculture MINUTES Regular Meeting of January 15, 2019 Present Absent Public Staff_______________ Elisabeth Holder Kate Miller Josh Eddinger Brian Gartner Jon Morris James Miller Katharine Owens Jane Brawerman Larry Owens Barbara Schukoske Bob Daniels Ellen Lukens Mike Thomas David Bauer A. Call to Order—Meeting called to order at 7:06 p.m. Roll was taken. B. Election of Officers—Motion made by Jane Brawerman to elect Elisabeth Holder – Chair and Brian Gartner –Vice Chair. Motion seconded by Barbara Schukoske. Motion passed unanimously. C. Accept the Agenda—Motion to accept the agenda made by Brian Gartner and seconded by Mike Thomas. Motion passed. D Public Forum Josh Eddinger spoke of previous conversations with Commission and presented some recommendations that would create modest changes in Middletown’s farm regulations. Goal -to open up Middletown to more farming. Alerted Commission that at present there is no precise definition of what would be considered to be a greenhouse. Also handed out copies of recent state brewery regulations. The commission thanked Josh Eddinger for his time and input. E. Approval of Minutes December 18, 2019 meeting: Motion to approve the December minutes made by Brian Gartner and seconded by Bob Daniels. Motion passed. F. Officer and Committee Reports 1. Chairman’s report i On January 7, 2019 the Common Council agreed to contribute to the purchase of development rights for the Chairavallo Property on Higby Road. ii. An Environmental Specialist has been hired and will start at the end of February or beginning of March. Elisabeth Holder and Joe Carta were on the selection committee. Iii Elisabeth Holder expressed concern about roles of several subcommittees. Discussion ensued. Several ideas were presented regarding outreach and Elisabeth Holder will approach Joe Samolis regarding the need for money in order to complete the management plan for the Wilcox property. iv High School students will be mapping points of interest and problems as such as invasive species, dangerous branches and garbage on trails. page 1  2. Trails Subcommittee i. Mike Thomas is presently refurbishing the Kiosk at Guida ii Trails Committee is planning to look at Spiderweed and Hubbard to evaluate what is needed. Iii Kate Miller to put new Google document on web site in order to get more information out to more people. 3. Agriculture sub-committee Bob Daniels handed out document regarding Proposed Changes of Ordinance for Farm Markets and Stands. The commission was in agreement that definitions should be as broad as possible and that documents must be in compliance with state regulations. Barbara Schukoske will update document and send it out to members prior to next meeting. 4. Outreach sub-committee Brian Gartner reported need for more sub-committee members. Several ideas presented to be followed up at a later date 5. Open Space management sub-committee No Report 6. Open Space acquisition sub-committee: potential properties to be considered for acquisition to be discussed. Motion was made by Brian Gartner to go into Executive Session. Motion was seconded by Barbara Schukowski. Motion passed. Went into executive Session at 8:01. Motion made at approximately 8:20 to go out of Executive Session by Brian Gartner and seconded by Bob Daniels. Motion passed. G. Old Business No Report H. New Business No Report I Member Forum Jane Brawerman reminded the Commission Members of upcoming movie “Growing Cities“ on February 4th – a part of the Environmental Film Series at Wesleyan Cinema at 7:00 PM. J. Adjournment: Motion made by Brian Gartner to adjourn at 8:33 PM. Motion was seconded by Barbara Schukowski. Accepted unanimously Respectfully submitted, Ellen Lukens page 2