South Windsor Agriculture, Arts & Nature Center
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Meeting date:
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
SOUTH WINDSOR AGRICULTURE, ARTS & NATURE CENTER COMMITTEE
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 June 10, 2015
Board Room – South Windsor Public Library
1. Call Meeting to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:32 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Pat Botteron, Open Space Task Force
John Caldwell, Park & Recreation Department
Stephanie Dexter, Planning & Zoning Commission
Mary Etter, Director of S. W. Public Library
Ray Favreau, Director of Parks & Recreation
Jeff Folger, Senior Environmental Planner
Sandy Jeski, SWALPAC
Michele Lipe, Director of Planning
John Mitchell, Economic Development Commission
Chairman Andrew Paterna, Town Council
Tim Shepard, South Windsor Land Trust
Councilor Jan Snyder, Town Council
Betty Warren, IWA/CC
Members Absent: Councilor Tom Delnicki, Town Council
Katie Graham, Park & Recreation Commission
Virginia Macro, Historic District Commission
Councilor Liz Pendleton, Town Council
3. Approval of Minutes (May 13, 2015)
Ms. Etter made a motion to approve the May 13, 2015 minutes. Councilor Snyder seconded the motion; and they were approved with Mr. Mitchell abstaining.
Councilor Snyder requested that minutes be put onto the Town’s website.
4. Public Input
None
Mr. Folger informed the Committee that there will be a walk through of the house on Friday, June 12, 2015 with Mr. Ed Sutherland to determine what in the house should be salvaged and warehoused.
5. Discussion items
Driveway/Access – Resident Farmer Program – Farm Museum
Ms. Lipe told the Committee that after review by Town staff, it is recommended that the Farmer’s access be used for the access to and from the property. Councilor Snyder stated that meeting will be scheduled with DOT after the site plan is further along. Mr. Mitchell said that he met with the landowner to the east of the property and that person is willing to donate material to make access closer to the intersection more accessible.
Ms. Lipe met with CL & P and will be having a temporary easement drafted. An appraisal is also being done of the value of that easement. A resolution will be forwarded to the Town Council for a decision on whether to grant the easement. The Town Attorney is reviewing the documents. The funds from this temporary easement could be used for improvements on the property.
Chairperson Paterna brought to the Committee’s attention that there was an article on the Strong Farm and one on Northwest Park. Ms. Etter stated that there also was an article on Auer Farm that they are doing renovating the dairy barn into classrooms and office space for staff.
Chairperson Paterna felt that Committee should think about the possibility of constructing barns on the Priest Farm property for a Farm Museum and where they should be located on the property.
Meeting with Neighbors
Chairperson Paterna stated that the Committee should meet with the neighbors to inform them of this project. Ms. Lipe felt that the Committee should be planning on using the access driveway off of Heritage Drive because the Town has an easement there.
Committee members had a discussion regarding bringing a resolution to the Town Council in order for them to endorse this project prior to scheduling a meeting with neighbors. Councilor Snyder will put together a summary of the plan that can also be put onto the website for public view.
Update on State Historic Preservation Office Grant – M. Lipe
Ms. Lipe explained that the Town has received a grant in the amount of $24,000. She stated that this is Department of Interior money so there is criteria and requirements that need to be completed. Ms. Lipe suggested that a Committee be established consisting of Chairperson Paterna, Ms. Macro and herself to work on getting this through this process. There is a list, as shown in attached, Exhibit A that is required for this grant. An RFP will need to be done which will be for pre-development studies for restoration and reuse of the Priest Farm. There may be an ability to do some master planning with a Landscape Architect and may also be able to get into some of the site layout.
Open House @ Priest Farm – schedule a date: Fall 2015/Spring 2016
It was the unanimous consensus of the Committee that an open house be held in the spring of 2016.
Fund Raising Event – Farm to Table Dinner – A. Paterna
Chairperson Paterna informed the Committee that the Mill on the River is interested in helping host a fund raiser for this project. It was felt that a Farm to Table Dinner could be held. Funds from this fund raiser could be used to renovate the house or for the construction of a Farm Museum. There is the potential to hold the fund raiser this fall.
6. New Business/Discussion Items
Mr. Folger reiterated that he feels the Town Council endorsement is a very important component to moving forward with this project. The Committee decided that a resolution would be drafted that would be brought to the Council.
It was also stated that the Council endorsement should be a priority prior to planning a fund raiser.
7. Next Meeting Date
The next meeting is scheduled for July 8, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. in the South Windsor Public Library Board Room.
8. Adjournment
At 6:15 p.m. Ms. Jeski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Botteron seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________
Deborah W. Reid
Council Clerk