Commission on Conservation & Agriculture

Chairperson Elisabeth Holder (’22) Commission Vice-Chair Members Brian Gartner (’23) Michael Thomas (’20) Kate Miller (’23) on Jane Brawerman (’23) Katharine Owens (’22) Larry Owens (’20) Bob Daniels (’22) Conservation & Agriculture Barbara Schukoske (’23) James Miller (’23) David Bauer (’22) Alternates Ellen Lukens (’23) Judy Konopka (’22) Staff Marek Kozikowski, AICP, City Planner REGULAR MEETING MINUTES DATE: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 TIME: 7:00 p.m. Meeting was held online. Public Access was provide by: 1. Going to https://webex.com and joining the meeting using the appropriate meeting number and password 2. Launching the WebEx application and joining the meeting using the appropriate meeting number and password 3. Via telephone at 1-408-418-9388 and the appropriate access code Meeting Number/Access Code: 1295479321 Event Password: Conservation In attendance: Commissioners Elisabeth Holder, Michael Thomas, Jane Brawerman, James Miller, Kate Miller, Bob Daniels, Barbara Schukoske, Ellen Lukens, Katharine Owens, David Bauer, and Judy Konopka. Marek Kozikowski, City Planner A. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:09pm. B. Accept the Agenda A motion to move to accept the agenda made by James Miller and seconded by Katharine Owens passed unanimously. C. Public Forum None. D. Approval of Minutes 1. Approval of Minutes from the February 18, 2020 Meeting A motion to approve the minutes of the February 18, 2020 meeting made by Judy Konopka and seconded by Bob Daniels, passed 8-0 with Katharine Owens, James Miller and Kate Miller abstaining. 2. Approval of Minutes from the June 2, 2020 Meeting A motion to approve the minutes of the June 2, 2020 meeting made by Jane Brawerman and seconded by Michael Thomas passed unanimously. E. Request for Comment None. F. Officers and Committee Reports 1. Chairman’s Report i. POCD Update Marek is seeking assistance in mapping open space parcels and the greenway corridors that will be specified in the POCD. He will set up a time with some Commissioners to help identify the properties. If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638-4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting. Michael Thomas left the meeting at 7:31pm. 2. Trails Committee i. Trails Work at Guida Elisabeth Holder reported that Michael Thomas has been clearing the trails, including an old trail that can be used by emergency vehicles. He has been mapping the trails with GPS. Kate Miller suggested organizing a volunteer cleanup day for the trails. This could be event or several small events. Marek will contact the Director of Health for input. Kate suggested maybe that the Commission could offer video education on removing invasive species. 3. Agriculture Committee i. NEAT Urban Farm Update No update. ii. Farm Survey Update Bob Daniels reported that there has been no movement. Marek offered to find a list of property owners of PA490 properties to start building a distribution list. iii. Urban Soils Health Project Jane Brawerman reported the results of the application will not be available until the end of June. 4. Outreach Committee No update. 5. Open Space Management Committee- No update. 6. Open Space Acquisition Committee i. Pending Properties (Livingston, Country Club Rd, Chiaravallo) No update. ii. 2020 Acquisitions (Newfield Street, Westlake Drive, Majestic Oaks Drive, and East Street) Marek provided an update that the owners were contact and he is in the process of hiring an appraiser. iii. DEEP Open Space Grant Upon a discussion by the Commission, a motion was made to establish the following guidelines for seeking grant or other funding, and/or partnerships in acquisition, for properties where feasible made by Kate Miller and seconded by Judy Konopka passed unanimously. Feasibility will be based on: - Funding application requirements and suitability of the property - Timing issues - Funding agency constraints on property use - Cooperation of the property owner - Opportunity to maximize match funding - Interest by another party (e.g. land trust, another municipality) and suitability of joint ownership A motion to pursue an application for Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) Grant funding for the Majestic Oaks subdivision property made by Ellen Lukens and seconded by Jim Miller passed 10-1 with David Bauer voting against. If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638-4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting. G. Old Business 1. Landfill Trail Marek provided an update that the project has obtained approvals from the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency and the Planning and Zoning Commission. 2. Harbor Drive Remediation & Bank Stabilization Marek provided an update that the project has obtained approvals from the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency and the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Commission discussed the process for planning for the future development of the Riverfront. The Commission was in favor of improvements to the riverfront. The Commission discussed the possibility that the City may be pursuing a consultant in these efforts. A motion to recommend that a request for proposal (or other vehicle) for a consultant be reviewed by a Riverfront committee or by existing Commissions such as the Conservation & Agriculture Commission prior to issuance to allow for input made by Kate Miller and seconded by Jim Miller passed unanimously. 3. Timber Management and Southern Border Safety No update. 4. Open Space Map Update Marek is seeking assistance in mapping open space parcels and the greenway corridors that will be specified in the POCD. He will set up a time with some Commissioners to help identify the properties. H. New Business None I. Member Forum Elisabeth Holder noted that the trap rock blasting has stopped at the pierce property. The owners were notified that the stone is to be removed from the wetlands and a wetlands restoration plan needs to be developed. Katie Miller volunteered to investigate access issue to the riverfront for water related recreational activities. J. Adjournment A motion to adjourn made by David Bauer and seconded by Barbara Schukoske passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:02pm. If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638-4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting.