Commission on Conservation & Agriculture

Chairperson Bob Daniels Commission Vice-Chair Members Brian Gartner Michael Thomas Kate Miller on Jane Brawerman Daniel Penney Barbara Schukoske William Gardner Conservation & Alternates Evan Peterson William Wilson William Harris Vincent Senatore Agriculture Staff James Sipperly, Environmental Planner Corinne Milardo, Administrative Assistant REGULAR MEETING Minutes DATE: Tuesday, July 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, Barbara Schukoske, Daniel Penney, William Harris, Kate Miller (Arrived at 7:11 pm), Jane Brawerman (Arrived at 7:11 pm), Vincent Senatore (Alternate) Public: None. WebEx Attendance: Commissioners: Michael Thomas, William Gardner, Evan Peterson. Public: David Winkel. Absent: Commissioners: Brian Gartner, 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 7:03 pm. B. Accept the Agenda Motion: To accept the agenda as is. Moved by V. Senatore, seconded by B. Schukoske. C. Public Forum David Winkel asked for an update on the Red Maple Swamp activity for the proposed easement. J. Sipperly answered that Reynolds Engineering will be doing the work. It took a while to get the contract in place because there were some issues with the insurance certificate. That has been rectified so the Red Maple Swamp is being scheduled for survey. Mr. Winkel commented that he’s excited to hear that the work will be starting soon. J. Sipperly added that they’ve been working on the Connecticut Loop Trail, a bike trail that’s going through Portland, Middletown, and Meriden. He explained that wetlands and vernal pools won’t be impacted but the trail will be going through that property. It will be used for recreation only. 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 6 Mr. Winkel asked how this will affect the Kaplan Drive project. J. Sipperly answered that it won’t affect it. D. Approval of Minutes 1. May 21, 2024 Motion: To approve the May 21, 2024 minutes. Moved by B. Schukoske, seconded by W. Gardner. Passed unanimously: 7-0. E. Request for Comment None. F. Officers and Committee Reports 1. Chair’s Report i. Chamberlain Hill Road conditions – Update from Public Works B. Daniels asked for an update. J. Sipperly stated that they did do some work there but there is much more that needs to be done. D. Penney added that they did some preventative maintenance. They patched up the road. D. Penney continued stating that as he understands it, Public Works is working with Eversource to improve the runoff that was coming from their property. ii. Membership updates – Re-Appointment and Appointment of new Members in May B. Daniels introduced new commission members. He started with William ‘Kip’ Harris. W. Harris introduced himself. His family has been living in Middletown since 1650. W. Harris said he was a teacher in town for over forty years. W. Harris’s father was involved with the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Wetlands Agency for many years. Evan Peterson introduced himself. He explained that he wanted to get involved and loves the outdoors and this commission seemed like a pretty good fit. He’s looking forward to learning more about what the commission does. J. Sipperly added that other appointments and re-appointments were Barbara Schukoske, Jane Brawerman, Mike Thomas, and Bill Wilson. All new appointments and re-appointments need to be sworn in. iii. Open Space Acquisition Fund Balance J. Sipperly informed the commission on the balance of the fund. J. Sipperly added that we have ten thousand dollars in our operating budget for agricultural grants. They are looking for suggestions from this commission how these funds can be used. Do we want to do two or four grants? Do we want to ask for applications or go out to an RFP? 2. Agriculture Committee Page 2 of 6  i. Right to Farm Support J. Brawerman asked how we are going to communicate what Right to Farm means. K. Miller asked what can we do better to serve new, small, minority farmers in Middletown. B. Daniels suggested he write an article that can be published in the newspaper about the Right to Farm ordinance that just recently passed. 3. Outreach Committee i. Conservation Corner Update None. 4. Open Space Management Committee i. Wilcox Management invasive species study J. Sipperly put together an Invitation to Bid. He’ll have it for next month’s meeting for the commission to review. K. Miller said a lot of the trails are blocked by fallen trees and someone is supposed to remove them. J. Sipperly said he will look into this. ii. Open Space Priorities/Signage – 4 New Signs Proposed J. Sipperly reported that the signs will be installed starting July 22nd. At the East Street property, the Bysiewicz property, there will be a ribbon cutting to unveil that open space sign. Eventually we’ll do every location. V. Senatore brought up concerns about signage not being maintained. J. Sipperly noted that there are funds for maintenance of signs that they will use. iii. Trail Maintenance Needed J. Sipperly said that they’re looking to identify trails that are in need of maintenance. 5. Open Space Acquisition Committee i. 470 Chamberlain Road J. Sipperly reported that they’re still considering this property. We still need to get in there to assess and appraise the land. The Landowner needs to clear the land so that this can happen. D. Penney mentioned that Howard Weissberg opened up a natural swale on Lyceum Road which will help to drain this property. ii. Country Club Road site Page 3 of 6 J. Sipperly reported that the owners are still on the fence about selling. iii. Saybrook Road Forest Land J. Sipperly reported that this property is going to come off the list because the federal government is going to buy this and put it under the Federal Reserve for the Connecticut River Corridor. G. Old Business 1. Trail Guide updating and reprinting and contract – intern working with Gary Middleton J. Sipperly stated Assistant City Planner, Gary Middleton has be working with our intern mapping out existing trails in our trail guide. We’ve done over a dozen trails so far. While they are mapping the trails, they’re noting problem areas, blockages, overgrown brush, etc. 2. Ravine Park J. Sipperly told the commission that Public Works isn’t prepared to actively do any work because they have road bonds they have to take care of. We need a consultant to do an assessment of the property and what will it take for restoration and maintenance. K. Miller would like this property move out from under Public Works and into Land Use. J. Brawerman asked how we can hire a consultant. J. Sipperly said we’ll look into it. He also stated that the way the deed is written would be difficult to move this property under the prevue of Land Use. B. Schukoske mentioned perhaps Wesleyan can provide some support in restoring this property. 3. Nature Gardens trail maintenance, vegetation management and tree removal and planting J. Sipperly informed the commission that they walked the property with three different contractors. We went with Primary Landscaping. What they are proposing to do is lay down 3/8 processed stone, they’ll mow the overgrown trails and they need to take down some trees. They’ll be placing water bars in some areas. They will not be going near the school property or the wetlands. J. Brawerman brought up concerns about the stone being washed away repeatedly. J. Sipperly said that they are going to fix that by putting in under grains and possibly curtain drains. The park will be closed while the work is being done for approximately five days. They’ll expected to start on July 22nd. They will also be planting some trees and new benches and redo the parking lot. H. New Business 1. Right to Farm signs proposed locations J. Sipperly showed the commission two prototype designs that Director Kozikowski came up with. The signs will be two feet by three feet in size and we’re in the process of deciding where these signs should go. We’re proposing putting one on East Street, Newfield Street, in downtown right when you get off of route nine, one on route sixty-six when you’re coming in from Middlefield, when you’re coming up Page 4 of 6 South Main Street on Seventeen, we want to put one in the center of town, and then put one on Saybrook Road and then put a sign off the ninety-one exit up by Atkins Street. K. Miller asked who’s the audience and what is the goal. J. Sipperly answered people driving through town and for anybody. K. Miller asked is this PR for the city. J. Sipperly answered, yes. K. Miller brought up concerns that the signs don’t provide more info on how people who are interested can get more information on how to get started. B. Daniels stated that this isn’t necessarily for new farms. It’s more for existing farms. This reinforces the State laws that are out there. K. Miller suggested there be a point person for assisting new farmers in the Land Use office. She also suggested that the Commission and the Land Use office come up with a one-page fact sheet. J. Sipperly stated that if anyone are interested in farming, anyone in the Land Use office can help. We give people information, some refuse to listen and don’t do what is recommended. J. Brawerman also expressed her concerns about new farmers getting help from the City. B. Daniels stated that new farmers can come to the Conservation Commission to ask for help. Evan Peterson stated that he is happy to help put together a resource for anyone looking for information on farming. W. Harris commented that the farm on Randolph Road won’t be very successful growing anything. J. Sipperly added that within the wetlands regulations that say you can farm on a wetland. You can’t fill it, you can’t grade it. The Wetlands Agency had a field trip to the site. J. Brawerman stated that Matt Mitchell went to NRCS in which they wrote an extensive report for him. J. Sipperly responded that NRCS looked at the soils for food security act only. There was some confusion as to what NRCS did on that visit so J. Sipperly had NRCS write an extensive memo which clarified what they did and didn’t do and they did not delineate the wetlands on the property. E. Peterson suggested having an experienced farmer offer assistance to new farmers. J. Brawerman updated the Commission on the Land Lab and farm at the Ag school is moving along. They’re looking to start construction this summer. There’s a meeting on Thursday, July 18th for people interested in learning about the project. 2. Volunteering on Committees B. Daniels listed the commission members that are on the following committees, Ag Committee is B. Daniels, B. Schuksoke, B. Gardner, and D. Penney. Open Space Acquisition is D. Penney, B. Daniels, Page 5 of 6 and B. Gartner. Outreach Committee is B. Gartner and E. Peterson raised his hand. Open Space Management and Trails is M. Thomas, J. Brawerman, K. Miller, and B. Gartner. I. Member Forum J. Sipperly informed the commission that if the chair of a regulatory or non-regulatory commission want to form a committee, the chair can appoint anyone. Commission members, the public or former commission members. J. Adjournment Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:39 pm. Moved by J. Brawerman, seconded by B. Schukoske. Passed unanimously: 7-0. Page 6 of 6