Commission on Conservation & Agriculture

Chairperson Brian Gartner Commission Vice-Chair Members Bob Daniels Michael Thomas Michael Maier Kate Miller on Jane Brawerman David Bauer Conservation & Agriculture Barbara Schukoske Kristen Rzasa Alternates Ellen Lukens Staff James Sipperly, Environmental Planner SPECIAL MEETING Minutes DATE: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 TIME: 7:00 p.m. Meeting was held online and in person in Room 208, Municipal Building. The public had access to the meeting 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 Via telephone at 1-408-418-9388 and the appropriate access code Webinar Number/Access Code: 2331 577 9589 Webinar Password: Middletown Panelist Password: openspace In attendance: Commissioners: Brian Gartner, Bob Daniels, Mike Thomas, Barbara Schukoske, Jim Miller, Kate Miller, Kristen Rzasa, Jane Brawerman, Ellen Lukens Staff in Attendance. James Sipperly, Environmental Planner. Public In attendance: Dave Schroder, Blue Moon A. Call to Order Chairperson B. Gartner called the meeting to order at 7:11pm B. Accept the Agenda Motion: To accept the agenda as received. Moved by B. Daniels, seconded by B. Schukoske, passed unanimously. C.Public Forum – Partner reports Dave Schroder and Blue Moon appeared before the Commission to discuss an idea regarding food forest in the City of Middletown. The food forest would be a perennial food source which would consist of fruit trees, nut trees and shrubs with berries. A park could also be created for people to sit and plant flowers and vegetables. This idea may help with the CT Sustainability Initiative. The Commission had several questions and Dave Schroder will put together a sort of business plan detailing his ideas and a time frame. The land at the corner of Wadsworth Street and Long Lane is possibly a good site for this as it was discussed at a previous Urban Forestry Commission meeting. J. Brawerman asked about funding sources. K. Rzasa asked about the structure of the organization. A discussion ensued regarding the hiking trail at the land fill. It was stated that the trail was built by the Public Works Department. The Jonah Center wrote a grant to install it. This Commission was not consulted. D. Approval of Minutes: 1. Minutes of the October 18, 2022 Regular Meeting Motion: That the minutes of October 18, 2022 be approved as received. Moved by K. Rzasa; Seconded by B. Daniels approved unanimously E. Request for Comment 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. Page 1 of 3  Chairman B. Gartner reported that the Kaplan Drive apartment complex will probably be withdrawn and the commission will have time to review the plans before it goes to another Public Hearing before the Wetland Commission. F. Officers and Committee Reports 1. Chair’s Report B. Gartner reached out to John Hall and David Brown and there was nothing to report at this time. i. Bylaw Updates B. Gartner will look at the bylaws to see if we can have an opportunity to have non-commission members to serve on committees and maybe create a “friends of conservation group”. B. Gartner reported that J. Miller resigned. B. Gartner will get a list of members and will look to recruit members accordingly. B. Gartner further stated that the staggered terms were calculated incorrectly when the commission was reorganized. K. Miller stated that we need more diversity on the commission and maybe for recruitment purposes, we can put together a general statement about what we do. B. Daniels knows a farmer in town, Bill Gardner who may want to join the Commission. ii. Model Agricultural Land Use Lease Agreement: Fair weather farms, East Street/Plumb Road The lease was reviewed and there were many comments regarding the potential use of chemicals that may not be organic and environmentally friendly. The Commission would like to have more time reviewing these moving forward in the future. K. miller recommended a procedure for moving forward when someone wants to lease city land to farm. B. Gartner recommended perhaps establishing a ranking system for applicants that would prioritize organic use of chemicals and low impact agriculture. K. Miller suggested forming a document with want we want on City owned land. Questions came up about how this land was advertised and asked about an RFP. J. Brawerman suggested contacting small farmers and/or young farmers. E. Lukens asked what other towns do. B. Daniels said that many successful farmers use conventional best management farming practices and are not organic. J. Sipperly mentioned that the farmer is required to file a farm plan according to USDA guidelines and it is spelled out in the lease. 2. Trails Committee i. ATV use on Lamentation Mountain/Land trust properties – David Brown ii. Katchen Coley Trail Sign J. Sipperly reported that Public works will be able to fix the sign and needs direction on what to do. 3. Agriculture Committee i. Ag Program/Grant B. Daniels is grateful that the Ag grants are moving along. J. Sipperly stated that there is some money still available due to two applicants withdrawing. About $25,000 may be available for a second round. J. Brawerman reported that the North End Action Team is losing their space for the community garden and would like to find another place for it. 4. Outreach Committee i. Conservation Corner update B. Gartner reported that he received a great article from J. Konopka. Future articles will be needed. 5. Open Space Management Committee i. Wilcox Management Plans Page 2 of 3  J. Sipperly will start on a RFP to put out there to hire a firm or individual to implement the plan. Perhaps our city contactor J&J Tree may be able to do this. Mike Maier, Jane Brawerman and Kate Miller are on this committee. K. Miller gave an invasive plant management update. K. Miller will organize volunteers to remove barberry and garlic mustard. 29 students will meet on April 21, 2023 to work a central area of the property. K. Miller requested $400 for materials and plants. Motion: To approve the request from K. Miller for supplies and plants not to exceed $400. Moved by J. Brawerman; seconded by B. Daniels; approved unanimously. 6. Open Space Acquisition Committee Nothing to report. G. Old Business 1. Red Maple Swamp Environmental Review Team Assessment The CT RC&D staff has scheduled the site visit for the team on June 22, 2022. The field visits are completed and the reports are being prepared and should be ready by next month’s meeting. 2. Trail Mapping Update Pat Rasch was the consultant who worked on the trail guide was contacted and agreed to work on it doing revisions and updating. A scope of what she needs to do and a cost should be developed. H. New Business 1. Proposed Eagle Scout Projects J. Sipperly knows of a troop in Middletown that is looking for Eagle Scout projects. Perhaps that could install benches or build bog bridges in the open space areas. 2. Annual Meeting schedule for 2023 Motion: To approve the meeting schedule for 2023. Moved by B. Daniels; seconded by K. Miller approved unanimously 3. CT Trail Grant Application – Pistol Creek cart paths and Mattabesset Trail Connections M. Kozikowski and J. SIpperly and other Land Use staff has put together a grant which was explained in a information sheet attached to the agenda. M. Kozikowski would like support from this commission. Motion: To endorse the concept of the grant for this project. Moved by B. Daniels; seconded by B. Schukoske; approved unanimously 4. Open Space Signage – East Street and South Main Street M. Kozikowski would like to install open space signage on properties we purchased. Motion: To approve the concept to install two signs on the open space parcels purchased at those two locations. Moved by B. Schuskoske; moved by K. Miller Approved unanimously. I. Member Forum J. Brawerman mentioned that Kathleen Johnson reported that a bridge has been out for a long time on the state land known as Wadsworth State Park. Perhaps this may be a good Eagle Scout project. K. Miller reported that the Suzio quarry wants to expand in Meriden and the blue trail may be re-routed. The Commission would like to track this item in the future moving forward. J. Adjournment A motion to adjourn at 10:15 pm, Moved by B. Daniels and seconded by K. Miller passed unanimously. Page 3 of 3