Commission on Conservation & Agriculture

Chairperson Bob Daniels Commission Vice-Chair Members Brian Gartner Michael Thomas Kate Miller on Jane Brawerman Barbara Schukoske David Bauer Daniel Penney Conservation & Alternates William Gardner William Wilson Vacant Vincent Senatore Agriculture Staff James Sipperly, Environmental Planner Corinne Milardo, Administrative Assistant REGULAR MEETING Minutes DATE: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 TIME: 7:00 p.m. Meeting was held in person in Room 208, Municipal Building and via WebEx. In person attendance: Commissioners: Bob Daniels, Kate Miller, Jane Brawerman, Barbara Schukoske, Daniel Penney, William C. Gardner, Vincent Senatore (Alternate) WebEx Attendance: Commissioners: Brian Gartner, Michael Thomas Public: Aiden Nelson, David Winkle, Jack Bosco, Kate Tracy, Will Schneir, Brody Alston Absent: Commissioners: David Bauer, William Wilson Staff in Attendance: James Sipperly, Environmental Planner Corinne Milardo, Administrative Assistant A. Call to Order Chairperson B. Daniels called the meeting to order at 7:06pm. B. Accept the Agenda K. Miller wants to add two items under Open Space Management. One, the upcoming student trip to Wilcox. Two, using management money for restoration of Ravine Park. Motion: To accept the agenda as amended. Moved by B. Gartner, seconded by B. Schukoske. Passed unanimously: 8-0. C. Public Forum 1. Miller/Bridge Street Community Farm Proposal B. Gartner discussed the proposal. He explained that the Economic and Community Development Department are working on a lease agreement for Roosevelt Park and parcels that used to be residential lots that are now one big lot. Dee’s Crafty Bees would like to construct a community farm on the property. This proposal was reviewed by the Economic Development Commission and has been approved. It’s been reviewed by the Anti-Racism Task Force. They want to teach children about keeping bees and chickens. Everything will be done in raised beds since there has been concerns about the soil in that area. Any improvements to the property will have to be reviewed by the City and approved. B. Gartner stated that this project goes hand-in-hand with the CCA’s mission and he hopes the commission will support this project. B. Daniels asked how this project is funded. 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 5 B. Gartner answered that the organization is a non-profit. They are self-funded and funded through donations. There is no fiscal impact on the City of Middletown. J. Brawerman stated that there are a lot of resources that can benefit this project such as through NRCS. J. Brawerman brought up concerns about chickens being on contaminated soil. B. Gartner clarified that they don’t actually know if the soil is contaminated. It will need to be tested. J. Brawerman suggested that the soil be tested. J. Sipperly stated that VHB had done some soil testing along the road a while ago. B. Daniels asked if someone from Dee’s Crafty Bees would be able to come to the next meeting to talk a little bit about the project some more. B. Gartner answered yes. Motion to endorse this project but would like to get a presentation, learn more about their activities, see where the commission can support them, and request that the soil be tested. Moved by B. Schukoske, seconded by B. Gardner. Passed: 7-0-1 (B. Gartner abstained). David Winkle, 418 Mile Lane, asked what the update is on the Red Maple Swamp consideration and on City lot E30370. J. Sipperly explained that the City hired Reynolds Engineering to do the survey work. We need to meet with the Board of Education to see if they need any additional land around their playing fields. This work will probably start in two weeks. Once we have the map, we’ll be able to do a legal description, and then present it to the Common Council for permanent protection through this commission. Mr. Winkle asked how the proposed bike path that’s planned to go from Kaplan Drive to Tuttle Road is going to be affected by the easement for Red Maple Swamp and E30370. J. Sipperly answered that’s gonna be taken up through the Kaplan Drive development so that they don’t use the school’s property. B. Daniels asked about the pallets on Randolph Road. J. Sipperly answered that they will be receiving a cease and desist. D. Approval of Minutes March 19, 2024 Regular Meeting The link to the March 19 minutes was incorrect. Vote is postponed until the next meeting. E. Request for Comment None. F. Officers and Committee Reports 1. Chair’s Report Page 2 of 5  i. Chamberlain Hill Road conditions – Update from Public Works J. Sipperly does not have an update from Public Works. D. Penney talked about the catch basins that have failed on Chamberlain Hill Road. He would like to see some preventative maintenance done on Chamberlain Hill Road. D. Penney suggested phasing for fixing the drainage. ii. Membership updates – Reappointment and Appointment of new Members in May J. Sipperly stated that J. Brawerman, B. Gartner, K. Miller, M. Thomas, and B. Schukoske will be all reappointed to the commission in May. Vincent Senatore was just appointed as an alternate member of the commission. William Harris will be appointed as a member in May. A discussion ensued on commission membership. V. Senatore introduced himself to the commission. iii. Open Space Acquisition Fund Balance J. Sipperly stated that the balance hasn’t changed from the last meeting. 2. Agriculture Committee i. Vo-Ag (Ag-Lab) B. Daniels informed the commission that the grant has been submitted for fifty-thousand dollars. It looks good for Kegigwin with the raised beds. B. Daniels went on to discuss the ten acres of land next to the high school. J. Sipperly continued for B. Daniels explaining that as an alternative to the Keiguin fields, they are looking to do a clearing in part of the ten acres wooded area. The area would have to be surveyed and designed. 3. Outreach Committee i. Conservation Corner Update B. Gartner informed the commission that the article will go out this month. Trails Day is coming up in June. All are welcome. 4. Open Space Management Committee i. Wilcox Management RFP for invasive species study J. Sipperly stated that instead of an RFP, they’ll get three different quotes. J. Sipperly asked the commission for recommendations for an individual or a company. J. Brawerman suggested that the Invasive Species Group may have recommendations for consultants on their website. Page 3 of 5  ii. Open Space Priorities/Signage – 4 New Signs Proposed J. Sipperly showed the commission a prototype of the signs that will be created by SignMart. J. Sipperly discussed the Right to Farm Ordinance signs they will be working on. The larger signs will be displayed on roads coming into town and smaller signs that will be displayed on farms. Farmers can purchase the signs to display. A discussion followed on the design of the Right to Farm signs. iii. Trail Maintenance Needed J. Sipperly stated that the Nature Gardens really needs some work. J. Sipperly said that Gary Middleton will be going out and mapping the trails based on the trail guide and making notes where maintenance is needed. K. Miller suggested having members of the public walk the trails and report back. J. Sipperly remembered that they did something like that in the past. K. Miller also suggested that each commission member take a property and having a section of the agenda for the public to speak to trail isues. iv. Upcoming Student Trip to Wilcox K. Miller informed the commission that twenty-two students will be at the Wilcox property on April 19th at 12:30pm. They will be shown the different features of the property. The students will also be collecting garbage and pulling garlic mustard and mapping the property. K. Miller mentioned that someone is building bridges and cutting. J. Sipperly said he will look into that. v. Using Management Funds for Restoration of Ravine Park K. Miller would like Ravine Park added to the agenda moving forward. J. Brawerman commented that Ravine Park is sorely in need of help. J. Sipperly stated that Ravine Park is owned by the City. It’s under the Public Works purview but maybe we can use some of our open space funds. K. Miller suggested having someone from NRCS do an initial consultation on the property and report back to the commission. J. Sipperly went on to answer the question of funds that were used at the landfill trail from the last meeting. He stated it was used to assess and design the trail at the landfill. 5. Open Space Acquisition Committee i. 470 Chamberlain Road ii. Country Club Road site iii. Pameacha Pond location iv. Miner Street, Map-Lot: 06-0057 v. Saybrook Road Forest Land Page 4 of 5 J. Sipperly stated that three properties will be appraised to see if we will move forward with them. K. Miller asked if the Pameacha Pond location is off the table. J. Sipperly answered yes. G. Old Business 1. Trail Guide updating and reprinting and contract H. New Business 1. Nature Gardens trail maintenance, vegetation management and tree removal and planting J. Sipperly informed the commission that they will be meeting with the contractor this Thursday to determine what trails need to be worked on. They’ll be working on parking and fencing. The Urban Forestry Commission will be planting three Maples out there on Arbor Day. J. Brawerman suggested repairing the boardwalks and expanded into certain areas. J. Brawerman also stated that putting stone down on trails is not a good idea. I. Member Forum J. Sipperly informed the commission that he received a letter from Aquarian Water Company. They do an award program called Stewards of the Environment. Their doing their fourteenth annual Aquarian Environmental championship awards. They’re looking for nominations. The deadline is May 3rd. The winner will be announced on June 1st. J. Adjournment Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 pm. Moved by B. Schukoske, seconded by W. Gardner. Passed unanimously: 8-0. Page 5 of 5