South Windsor Agriculture, Arts & Nature Center

SOUTH WINDSOR AGRICULTURE, ARTS & NATURE CENTER COMMITTEE

 

TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR

 

Minutes                                                         Page 1                                          October 8, 2014

 

 

Madden Room – South Windsor Town Hall

 

1.    Call Meeting to Order

 

The meeting was called to order at 5:37 p.m.

 

2.      Roll Call

 

Members Present:     

                                       Pat Botteron, Open Space Task Force

                                       Councilor Tom Delnicki, Town Council

                                       Stephanie Dexter, Planning & Zoning Commission

                                       Mary Etter, Director of S. W. Public Library

                                       Katie Graham, Park & Recreation Commission

                                       Michele Lipe, Director of Planning

                                       Virginia Macro, Historic District Commission

                                       Councilor Andrew Paterna, Town Council

                                       Councilor Jan Snyder, Town Council

                                       Betty Warren, IWA/CC

 

Members Absent:       Ray Favreau, Director of Parks & Recreation

                                       Jeff Folger, Senior Environmental Planner

                                       Sandy Jeski, SWALPAC

                                       John Mitchell, Economic Development Commission

                                       Councilor Liz Pendleton, Town Council

                                       Tim Shepard, South Windsor Land Trust

                                     

3.      Approval of Minutes

 

Councilor Snyder made a motion to approve the July 18, 2014 and September 10, 2014 minutes.  Councilor Delnicki seconded the motion; and the minutes were approved, unanimously.

 

4.      Public Input

 

None

 

5.      Discussion Item

 

A.       Review of Completed Community Farm Visits

 

None

 

B.       Community Farms – Visits/Dates

 

Chairman Paterna stated that there will be a visit to Auer Farm on October 9, 2014.  The other farms that need to be visited are Terra Firma Farm in Stonington, Community Farm of Simsbury and Boulder Knoll Community Farm in Cheshire.

 

Councilor Snyder stated that she has drafted a Community Farm Summary, as shown in attached Exhibit A.  Ms. Lipe suggested that on the summary, the identity of ownership be included.  Councilor Snyder said she would add that to the summary and also requested that if anyone would like any other information added to the summary they should email her.  Councilor Snyder then stated that that anyone who visits a farm should email that information to her and it can be added to the summary.

 

C.      Questions/Discussions:  Farmhouse use; Water use, Barns; Silo; Land use

 

Ms. Macro announced that the Historic District Commission has been approved for the CLG Certified Local Government which gives access to federal money.  The grant would be for $10,000 non-matching grant.  The Town already has $4,000 set aside.  A request can be sent in to the Town Council for a Matching Grant.  That would give this Committee approximately $20,000 to do a feasibility study.  Chairman Paterna explained that he would work on applying for the $10,000 grant with Ginny.  The application is due November 10, 2014.

 

Ms Lipe told the Committee that she was able to reach out to Bond Counsel for an opinion to see if there are any limitations on the bonding based on the fact that this property was bought with the Open Space Bond.  Councilor Denicki stated that even if there are limitations, there is the ability to put a referendum question on the table at the election time and modify it for the property.

 

Ms. Lipe explained that there is a septic evaluation scheduled for later this month and she also spoke with Sherry McGann regarding the water issue.  Ms. McGann gave all of the paperwork related to either hooking up to the water or appealing.  There are steps that would need to be followed if it is decided to use the well.  Councilor Snyder requested that Ms. Lipe give a summary of the steps so the Committee will have a better understanding.

 

Committee members discussed the silo and felt it should be part of the feasibility study.

 

Ms. Macro felt that the Farmers Market would be a great attraction on this property and would be a key component.  A decision on what to do with the buildings can come at a later date.

 

Councilor Snyder said she would love to see something with farming the land and renovating the house for a Farm Manager to live there and take care of the farm.  Councilor Snyder stated she was impressed with the Massaro Farm and felt that a CSA would be very successful in South Windsor.  The barn could have historical equipment geared towards our local community.

 

Ms. Etter said she would like to see programming done at the property that is geared towards agriculture.  Committee members discussed an educational component which would be complimentary to the Town.

 

Ms. Warren felt that the Committee should also consider how to include the South Windsor Food Bank.

 

Ms. Dexter said that the CSA portion would be a way to bring money into this project and may help with costs for renovations on the property.  Ms.Etter felt that another component to bring in money could possibly be a Connecticut Product Store.  Committee members discussed the ability for a Farmers Market and CSA to co-exist.  Ms. Lipe warned the Committee that parking and traffic issues need to be considered.

 

Chairman Paterna told the Committee that Mr. Mitchell has suggested that an Artist be brought in to advise the Committee on what could be done on this property.  The Artist was asked if she would like to go the property and start painting scenes of the Priest Farm that could be used by the Town.

 

Ms. Lipe suggested sponsoring a day for Artists to come on the site and paint.

 

Chairman Paterna then told the Committee that Mr. Shepard suggested clearing more of the property and holding an open house so people can come on the property and make suggestions.  

 

Ms. Etter recommended a special camp program for kids during the summer to be used as a learning experience.  Ms. Michele felt that trails should be incorporated into the property, maybe a perimeter trail.

 

Ms. Botteron told the Committee that in a report given to the Town Manager it was stated that there is a significant amount of wetlands consisting of about 1/3 of the property including at least one pond.  There are 72 acres.  A map will be brought to a future meeting.

 

Clearing of the Land

 

Chairman Paterna stated that Mr. Folger and himself located a map that was done by an Arborist approximately 8 or 9 years ago.  Trees were identified in the plan.  Chairman Paterna said he has a call into UConn to see if they would send a Botanist down and do an inspection.  Councilor Snyder felt that the Park crew should be contacted to see if after leaf pick up and prior to a snow fall they could go in and do some work.  Ms. Warren stated that the Garden Club has said most of the brush is invasive species.  Ms. Lipe said she would contact Ray Favreau and John Caldwell regarding this issue.  Councilor Delnicki felt that they should be made aware that Tim Shepard is willing to bring in a brush hog.

 

Committee members discussed the bamboo poles that are on the property.  Chairman Paterna said he will contact MCC to see they would be interested in coming in and taking it.

 

Ms. Warren reminded the Committee that there is a farmer who is leasing the property and he should be made aware of any equipment being brought onto the property or if there will be people there for any reason.  Ms. Lipe said she would talk with Clay Major to make he contacts the individual leasing the property.

 

Councilor Delnicki suggested that the Committee invite the JI Reporter into a meeting and to the site when this project is moving forward so the public can be informed.

 

Answering questions, Chairman Paterna stated that a visit to the Priest Farm could be scheduled for anyone who was not able to visit the farm yet.

 

Ms. Botteron requested that history regarding open space throughout Town be gathered.

 

Answering questions from Committee members, Ms. Lipe stated that promotional materials can be prepared when something starts happening.

 

Ms. Dexter recommended that some thought be given to a Strategic Plan Committee being established.  Ms. Macro felt that the feasibility study should be done first and then the Committee considered.

 

As the Committee discussed uses for the barn, Ms. Dexter felt that the barn may be a practical use for the farm.  Ms. Lipe felt it may be a good idea to review the possibility of relocating barns in Town to this property.

 

7.      Next Meeting Date

 

The next meeting is scheduled for November 12, 2014 in the South Windsor Public Library in the Friends Room at 5:30 p.m.

 

8.      Adjournment

 

At 6:26 p.m. Councilor Delnicki made a motion to adjourn.  Ms. Graham seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

___________________________

Deborah W. Reid

Council Clerk