South Windsor Agriculture, Arts & Nature Center

SOUTH WINDSOR AGRICULTURE, ARTS & NATURE CENTER COMMITTEE

 

TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR

 

Minutes                                                         Page 1                                           March 11, 2015

 

 

Board Room – South Windsor Public Library

 

1.    Call Meeting to Order

 

The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m.

 

2.      Roll Call

 

Members Present:     

                                       Pat Botteron, Open Space Task Force

                                       Councilor Tom Delnicki, Town Council             

                                       Mary Etter, Director of S. W. Public Library

                                       Ray Favreau, Director of Parks & Recreation

                                       Jeff Folger, Senior Environmental Planner

                                       Katie Graham, Park & Recreation Commission

                                       Michele Lipe, Director of Planning

                                       Virginia Macro, Historic District Commission

                                       Chairman Andrew Paterna, Town Council

                                                 

Members Absent:       John Caldwell, Park & Recreation Department

                                       Stephanie Dexter, Planning & Zoning Commission

                                       Sandy Jeski, SWALPAC

                                       John Mitchell, Economic Development Commission

                                       Councilor Liz Pendleton, Town Council

                                       Tim Shepard, South Windsor Land Trust

                                       Councilor Jan Snyder, Town Council

                                       Betty Warren, IWA/CC

 

Chairman Paterna informed the Committee that the Town has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Department of Economic & Community Development.

 

4.      Public Input

 

None

 

5.      Discussion items

 

A.    Visioning for SWAN Ctr:  Review of workshop categories identified

 

Committee members reviewed the Talley sheet stating that there are common denominators.  A feasibility study will have to be done for the house and barns.

 

There are basic items that will have to be done in order to use the property.  The house will continue to be used as a residence.  Other structures on the property could be used for other activities.  The Committee also discussed the ability for the farmer leasing the property to be able to use the land while the house is being renovated.  The Town should discuss this project with the farmer so that the farmer is aware of what is happening.  The Town could discuss with the farmer the ability for him/her to use a portion of the land and the Town to use a portion of the land while the project is being designed and constructed.  The contract decided on with the farmer could be a starting point and the contract could be changed to suit the Town’s needs in the future.  Ms. Lipe felt that a site plan should start being developed to decide on the access point and other key areas so the Town will know the acreage that is needed.

 

Chairperson Paterna stated that Councilor Snyder is in discussions with the DOT regarding access at the light.  Ms. Lipe suggested that the South Windsor Police Department be asked to go to the site and have them look for site line to see where the best location for the access could be in case the light in not able to be used.  If access is needed in another area, during times when there is a large volume of traffic, traffic control would be necessary.  Another alternative would be to use Heritage Drive.

 

Mr. Favreau explained that the Town currently has Avery Gardens which consists of 61 plots.  It is hopeful to add an additional 70 gardens at the Deming Property.  Committee members felt that community gardens do not need to be on the top of the list to be located at the Priest property because there are other locations available for community gardens.

 

Committee members discussed the wetlands on the property.  It is hopeful to have parking on the property along Sullivan Avenue to the house.  It has to be reviewed further on where vendors should be situated as well as a defined plan for the parking.  Mr. Favreau informed the Committee that in 2001 this property was proposed for athletic fields and parking, but was not approved through a referendum, so there are areas on the property that are available for use.  The wetlands were not flagged, but there were areas identified on a conceptual plan.

 

Ms. Lipe questioned if the grant will address the silo on the property?  Chairman Paterna said that he felt it would.

 

Chairperson Paterna stated that walking trails on the property are something that could be an on-going project on the property.  The Committee could begin to do the site plan.  The Committee will also review the property to determine if there is a pond on the property.  Mr. Folger, Ms. Lipe and Mr. Caldwell will begin work on a site plan for the property.

 

Answering questions from the Committee, Ms. Lipe stated that once the plan is more formulated; Attorney David Panico can be asked if the plan is in the spirit of the referendum.  The language of the referendum will be emailed to each Committee member.

 

Committee members discussed the ability to have educational workshops at the Priest property and allow South Windsor schools and school districts from surrounding Towns to participate in the programs.  East Hartford and Manchester do not have farms like this, so it could be done regionally.

 

Ms. Lipe told the Committee that she has all of the information regarding the well.  Chairperson Paterna explained that since the break-in at the house, there is much more damage in the house.  There are individuals who are interested in becoming the resident farmer.  Mr. Folger felt that the land could be worked as a CSA while the house is being renovated.  Ms. Etter stated that she would begin doing research on a CSA with Library staff and that information can be brought to the next meeting for a discussion.

 

Committee members then discussed gathering historical information regarding the site so when the Priest Farm project is complete, that information can be displayed on the site.  Ms. Macro, Ms. Etter and Chairperson Paterna will begin to gather historical information.

 

Mr. Folger informed the Committee that he was able to talk with David Sherwood from Sherwood Inspection Services who gave him a quote of $375.00 to do an inspection of the house on the Priest property.  This quote includes a termite inspection.  It was the unanimous consensus of the

 

Committee to move forward with the inspection.  Ms. Lipe stated she would have the Finance Department setup a Priest Property Account so funds can start to be expended in an orderly way.  She said an account for the $10,000 grant will also be set up.

 

Open House @ Priest Farm – Schedule a date:  Late Spring 2015/Early Fall 2015

 

Committee members felt it would be a good idea to have an open house in early fall 2015.  Mr. Favreau suggested having an artist rendering drawing with a vision of what the property will look like in the future.  Councilor Delnicki stated that there still needs to be some curb appeal.  Chairperson Paterna said that there will need to be work done for access to the property for the open house.  It was suggested to consider having hayrides from the Community Center where people would park to the Priest Property.

 

Ms. Lipe explained that the funds that are being received from grants are all monies that have the possibility of being cut due to State cuts.  A letter has been submitted to the State.

 

3.      Approval of Minutes

 

Mr. Folger made a motion to approve the February 11, 2015 minutes.  Ms. Etter seconded the motion.

 

Amendments:  page 2 – Sherman should be changed to Sherwood and on page 3 the date of the next meeting date should be corrected.

 

The amended minutes were approved, unanimously.

 

7.      Next Meeting Date

 

The next meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. in the South Windsor Public Library Board Room.

 

8.      Adjournment

 

At 6:36 p.m. the meeting adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

___________________________

Deborah W. Reid

Council Clerk