Commission on Conservation & Agriculture

Commission on Conservation & Agriculture MINUTES Regular Meeting of July 16, 2019 Present Absent Public Staff_______________ Elisabeth Holder David Bauer Christine Raczka Marquis Jane Brawerman Ellen Lukens Barbara Schukoske Kate Miller Bob Daniels Katherine Owens James Miller Brian Gartner Michael Thomas A. Call to Order—Meeting called to order at 7:08 p.m. B. Accept the Agenda The Chairwoman asked if there was a motion to accept the agenda. Brian made the motion and the motion was seconded by Bob. The motion passed unanimously. C. Public Forum D Approval of Minutes The Chairwoman asked if anyone on the Commission wanted to make any changes to the minutes. The Commission made some changes to the draft minutes. Brian made a motion to accept the minutes with the proposed changes. The motion was seconded by Barbara and passed unanimously. E. Request for Comment 1. Open Space Bond Christine gave an update on the draft bond language that was approved by the EDC. The Commission also discussed the bond language. 2. Guida Mowing Issue Christine gave an update of the Guida property and asked the Agricultural committee if they knew of anyone who would be willing to mow the two fields on the Guida property. Bob Daniels gave Christine the number of Ronnie Hajek and Joe and Tony Guida’s niece, Donna Drouin. 3. City Planner Updates Christine gave an update on the Planning Department’s search for a new City Planner. The position is currently being posted internally. If there are no internal candidates then the position will be open to the public. F. Officer and Committee Reports 1. Chairman’s report i Update of POCD The Chairwoman gave an update on the POCD and listening sessions. She also stressed that the August 14 session was important for Commission to attend since it deals with conservation issues ii Commission Vacancies The Chairwoman gave an update on the commission vacancies including that Eric Mosher does not have time to attend the Commission due to work commitments. She also informed the page 1 commission that Judy Konopka has written a letter to the Mayor. The Chairwoman wrote Judy Konopka a letter of support. Christine also informed the Commission that she had discussed the renewal of other commission members with the Mayor’s office and expects them to be confirmed at an upcoming Council meeting. 2. Trails Committee i. Trails Work The Chairwoman asked the Trails Committee and the Commission if there were any trails/properties they wanted to work on in the future. Jim suggested the Chamberhill property. Michael suggested that the Commission work on mapping the property boundaries. Christine mentioned that she was interested in updating the maps of the city owned trails. 3. Agriculture Committee i. Farm Market and Stand Ordinance Update Jane reported that this is an Urban Garden Conference being held in Middletown. 4. Outreach Committee The Outreach Committee reported that they planned to host another Source to Sea event at Veterans Park. The even would take place either on September 27 or 28, 2019 5. Open Space Management Committee NA 6. Open Space Acquisition Committee Christine gave an update on the Livingston Appraisal. She had a meeting with the appraiser who is appraising the Livingston property. She hopes to have this final report to by August. G. Old Business Staff updated the Commission on the Landfill Trails grant. She also requested that the Commission put together evidence on the sensitivity of the Red Maple Swamp area. The Commission asked that she discuss with Joe how to get the area a more protected status. H. New Business Christine gave an update on her meeting with Eversource in regards to the clearing they are doing along the power lines near Dooley Pond. The Chairwoman made the following motion: We are concerned about erosion in the area and hope that a planting plan will be implemented. The Commission, should Eversource donate native plants for the banks of Dooley Pond, would find volunteers to plant the plants. The motion was made by the Chairwoman and seconded by Bob. The motion passed unanimously. I Member Forum NA J. Adjournment Brian made a motion to end the meeting. The motion was seconded by Bob and passed unanimously. page 2