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) James Miller (’23) Bob Daniels (’22) Conservation & Agriculture Barbara Schukoske (’23) Vacant David Bauer (’22) Alternates Ellen Lukens (’23) Judy Konopka (’22) Staff Marek Kozikowski, AICP, City Planner REGULAR MEETING REVISED MINUTES DATE: Tuesday, November 17, 2020 TIME: 7:15 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: 1734088562 Event Password: Conservation In attendance: Commissioners Elisabeth Holder, Michael Thomas, Kate Miller, Bob Daniels, James Miller, Jane Brawerman, David Bauer, Judy Konopka, and Ellen Lukens. Marek Kozikowski, City Planner. Public In attendance: Gary Cluen. A. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:15pm. B. Accept the Agenda The agenda was accepted by consensus. C. Public Forum None. D. Approval of Minutes 1. Approval of Minutes from the October 20, 2020 Meeting A motion to approve the minutes of the October 20, 2020 meeting with corrections made by Bob Daniels and seconded by James Miller passed 8-0 (David Bauer abstained). E. Request for Comment 1. 148 Arbutus Street- Open Space Donation (Parcel 38-0198) The Commission wants to see how this acquisition would impact the total percentage of open space citywide. A study will need to be conducted to understand how much land area of the city qualifies as open space. 2. 2020-2030 Plan of Conservation and Development Jane Brawerman suggested that the Action item regarding updating the Coginchaug River Plan be revised since it would require a regional effort. The POCD can advocate for a larger update but Middletown can work on its parts. Ellen Lukens discussed zoning in Maromas questioning if the industrial zoning is appropriate in that area when considering the uses allowed in those zone. 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. The Commission agreed to withhold any endorsement of the plan until they had more opportunity to review the plan. F. Officers and Committee Reports 1. Chairman’s Report Elisabeth Holder reported that she spoke at the Common Council meeting regarding the acquisition of the Laurel Grove Road parcel. She opposed use of the open space fund for the acquisition and outlined the process the Commission uses for choosing properties for acquisition using those funds. 2. Trails Committee i. Trails Work at Guida and Wilcox A meeting will be scheduled on site with James Miller and City staff to identify locations where additional protective measures need to be installed to block access for ATVs. 3. Agriculture Committee i. Farmers Market Update No update. ii. Farm Survey Update Bob Daniels reported that he spoke with John Rak who expressed the need for financial assistance to farmers to make them profitable. Bob agreed to look at neighboring communities including Haddam and Durham to see what kind of tax incentives they offer to local farmers. He suggested holding a workshop in the future to bring city leadership and farmers together to discuss issues in local agriculture. 4. Outreach Committee Judy offered assistance with communication for outreach. She suggested that statistics should be reviewed regarding the website to see what the traffic patterns are on the Commission’s webpage. Marek agreed to look into this. 5. Open Space Management Committee No update. 6. Open Space Acquisition Committee i. Pending Properties (Livingston, Mckiernan, Newfield Street, Westlake Drive, Majestic Oaks Drive, and East Street/South Plumb) Marek provided a brief update on each property. ii. OSWA Grant- Majestic Oaks- Wilson Property Update No update on the status on the grant. Marek reported that the owner is exploring alternative configurations of the open space. The Commission noted that a change in the plan could impact the grant application and would need to be reevaluated through the ranking process. iii. Sunshine Realty, LLC Property Marek reported that he is in the process of hiring an appraiser and a deed history/title search will be available within the next week. iv. Millbrook Acres LLC (Parcel 40-0093) Marek will schedule a meeting for the Open Space Acquisition Committee to review this parcel. G. Old Business 1. Timber Management and Southern Border Safety No update. 2. Climate Emergency Declaration 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. No update. 3. Community Service workings for trail upkeep No update. 4. City Website updates (photos, bylaws, ranking documents, sustainability topes Marek reported he started updating and posting more materials on the Commission’s webpage. He will continue to add more information. Elisabeth Holder will send annual reports to post on the site. H. New Business 1. CT Land Conservation Council Correspondence The Commission noted that it has no funding and Elisabeth Holder will respond to the letter. 2. Adoption of 2021 Meeting Calendar A motion to adopt the 2021 meeting calendar made by James Miller and seconded by Michael Thomas passed unanimously. I. Member Forum Jane Brawerman announced that the Conservation District is holding a meeting on November 19 th which will include a presentation on Hydrilla on the Connecticut River and awarding Rosemary Ostfeld the Annual Conservation Award for her Health PlanEat Project. J. Adjournment A motion to adjourn made by Bob Daniels and seconded by James Miller passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:47pm. 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.