Commission on Conservation & Agriculture

Chairperson Bob Daniels Daniel Penney Commission Vice-Chair Members Brian Gartner Michael Thomas Michael Maier Kate Miller on Jane Brawerman David Bauer William Gardner Conservation & Agriculture Barbara Schukoske Kristen Rzasa Alternates Ellen Lukens Staff James Sipperly, Environmental Planner REGULAR MEETING Revised Minutes DATE: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 TIME: 7:00 p.m. Meeting was held in person in and phone call option was provided in Room 208, Municipal Building. In person attendance: Commissioners: Bob Daniels, Barbara Schukoske, Kate Miller, Ellen Lukens, Dan Penney, P. Pankaj Wesleyan student Call in attendance: Brian Gartner, Kristen Rzasa, 1 Wesleyan student Staff in Attendance. James Sipperly, Environmental Planner. Public In attendance: Gabe Russo, David Winkle, A. Call to Order Chairperson B. Daniels called the meeting to order at 7:05pm. B. Daniels introduced Dan Penney a new member of the Commission. D. Penney described his background and experience. He grows pumpkins and gives them away for fundraising groups. The phone call in system was not allowing multiple call in numbers. It worked initially but when adding additional calls the system wouldn’t allow it. B. Accept the Agenda Motion: To accept the agenda as is. Moved by B. Schukoske; seconded by D. Penney; approved unanimously C. Public Forum None D. Approval of Minutes August 15, 2023. Motion: To approve the minutes as received. Moved by B. Daniels; seconded by B. Schukoske; approved unanimously with K. Rzasa and B. Gartner abstaining. E. Request for Comment None F. Officers and Committee Reports 1. Chair’s Report Bob Daniels introduced Gabe Russo of Forest City Farms who leases farmland from the city on River Road. Gabe gave a detailed report of his current operations. Gabe is transitioning to more pick your own blackberries, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. He would like to additional greenhouses and high tunnels to diversify crops. Gabe would like some help to start an incubator farm for new farmers. There are programs to help young farmers get access to land. The older farmers are aging out and new farmers like to have their own land for their customers to Visit and buy their products. Gabe can work with the Vo-Ag groups at the High School. 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  Kate asked, what do you need from us. J. Sippperly asked Gabe if he had a business plan or model and he responded he does. Gabe needs support for the fireworks, farm dinners by the way of infrastructure and services. Gabe talks about “buy an apple tree” to start an orchard and people pick their own. D. Winkle said that every ¼ he gets a newsletter from the Mayor. It goes to every house in the city. Maybe this Commission should ask to submit and article for awareness. B. Gartner reported that the EDC coordinates this. i. Bylaw updates. B. Gartner was looking at this to modify the bylaws to let commission members who termed out to be on commission committees. It was noted that the Commission of Arts does this. Brian also mentioned that commission members can stay on until they are replaced. Staff will get the Arts commission’s bylaws. 2. Agriculture Committee i. Ag Program Land Lab-Rebecca reach out to BOE J. Sipperly reported that he met with the Superintendent of Schools and is very supportive of this. There are two sites they discussed. One on Kaplan dive and the other is a ball field across from Keiquwin. The BOE will discuss the options moving forward with the Vo-Ag. 3. Outreach Committee i. Conservation Corner update B. Gartner has the information from Judy and wants to modify the article based on new members being appointed and older members leaving. 4. Open Space Management Committee i. Wilcox Management Mike Maier was reaching out to Eric Hansen to coordinate an invasive species study with another consultant. K. Miller sked staff to look into this and reach out to Eric again for an update. ii. Open Space Priorities/Signage – Improvements: sign design change, grant opportunities J. Sipperly reported that Gary Middleton reviewed a number of open space properties and the signage that exists. A really good sign design was recently put up at heron the Ron McCutchen Park. Staff passed out copies to the commission members present. Everyone like the sign design. Motion: To approve the sign design like the one at McCuthchen Park including a reference to the CT Deep if state funds were used to purchase that particular open space parcel. The commission prefers to use a green side with brown posts and possibly solar cap for lighting. Moved by B.Gartner; seconded by D. Penney; Approved unanimously with K. Rzasa abstaining. Discussion ensued about putting map signage boards up as well. 5. Open Space Acquisition Committee i. 470 Chamberlain Road The Committee visited the site and the site was fully vegetated with briars and dense brush where on could not pass. Staff called the realtor and asked about clearing some paths but never heard back from him. A house would have to be torn down. This is on hold for now. ii. Country Club Road site Mark did a pre-evaluation on this and will send it out to the committee members. Page 2 of 3  iii. Pameacha Pond location Mark will do a pre-evaluation as well. G. Old Business 1. Red Maple Swamp permanent easement. Staff reported that he and Mark met with the Superintendent and they will work together on this. The BOE will look at any future needs at the school and another meeting will be set up to discuss how to move forward. The BOE received a copy of the environmental review study. 2. Trail Guide Kate Miller’s files updating and reprinting K. Miller said she emailed out a file containing list of suggested changes to the trail guide she had to everyone. The person who assisted with the trail guide has agreed to do it again. K.Miller suggested that staff can identify more specific changes and provide guidance on drafting an updated trail guide. Ellen Lukens left the meeting. 3. Proposed Right to Farm Ordinance B. Gartner gave an overview and some history of this document. J. Sipperly reported that this is the draft ordinance that Chris Forte developed and consistent with the Planning and Zoning regulations and the City Health Code. J. Sipperly stated that Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Health. K. Rzasa objected to moving this forward because a draft she created did not go before the City attorney’s. J. Sipperly read from a series of emails between the City Planner and General Counsel that in fact he did review it and that it was not consistent to state and local statutes. Bob Daniels asked if there was a motion. Motion: To adopt the Right to Farm Ordinance as proposed by the General Counsel. Moved by B. Gartner; seconded by B. Schukoske. Discussion ensued regarding the legality of this vote. After much heated discussions, B. Gartner requested from the Chairman to call the vote. The vote was called with all the commission members voting yeas, except for K. Rzasa voting no. Vote carries. H. New Business 1. Annual meeting dates for 2024 Motion: To approve the meeting dates for 2024 as presented. Moved by B. Gartner; seconded by D. Penney approved unanimously with K. Rzasa abstaining. 2. Discussion about meeting in person. At the beginning of the meeting it was the consensus of the commission members to continue to meet via Webex and conduct hybrid meetings. There was discussion by K. Miller to have the meetings recorded to improve decorum of the meetings. I. Member Forum K. Miller sent out via email concerns regarding future lease for farm land. There are a list of criteria we should consider. The Nature Gardens should be mowed every late November, according to E. Lukens and K. Miller. K. Rzasa requested that it took 21 minutes for her to connect with the meeting. J. Adjournment Motion: To adjourn the meeting at 9:35 pm. Moved by B. Schukoske; D. Penney, seconded, approved unanimously Page 3 of 3