FEBRUARY 11, 2025
Members present: David Desiderato, Zachary Donais, Will Madsen, Kara Marshall, Kent McCord, Jim Szipszky. Also present: Carolyn Flint, Danielle Johnston, Mike Johnston, Peggy Laureau, Lee Shaw.
Public Comment
Danielle Johnston noted she was visited by a DEEP investigator who is writing a report on the farmland the town leases to an area farmer. She has two young children and she is concerned about the use of herbicides on that property.
Laureau lives up the street from the property and she is concerned about the farmland that is being discussed at tonight’s meeting.
Flint lives on Barndoor Hills Road, close to the West Branch of Salmon Brook, and she is interested in the conversation regarding the nearby farmland.
Election of Officers
Desiderato nominated Marshall for chairman and Donais for vice chairman. The appointments were approved unanimously.
Barndoor Hills Farmland
Donais noted the farmer has a five-year lease with the town, and opened the floor to commissioners and residents.
Laureau would like the town to review the lease to determine if it was appropriate to lease the property with so few constraints. If the lease continues, the town should be aware of what the farmer is spraying and when. She noted the DEEP investigator informed her there is no requirement for the farmer to notify the public when he is spraying as it is not a commercial business.
Shaw would like the town to inform the farmer he broke the lease and include an addendum to the lease that the farmer notifies the town when and what he will be spraying, as well as post when he will be spraying.
Marshall reported she reviewed the farmer’s lease in December and felt it was broad. She would like to see stronger language in future RFPs regarding pest control and best practices.
Johnston stated the lease should be terminated if the farmer violated the lease.
Szipszky would like to follow up with the Town Manager to inquire if this farmer has broken the lease and if so, which terms.
There was a brief discussion regarding the farmer widening the road to the property and if he had permission to do so.
Marshall pointed out she listened to an Inland Wetlands and Waterways Commission meeting where members reviewed the lease and found vegetation management was consistent with agricultural management.
Next steps: Meet with Town Manager, invite to next meeting.
Composting
Marshall reviewed what Mindy Gould had done regarding composting and Madsen said he was interested in taking this over. He will do some research and make some suggestions. Desiderato will investigate pick up sites, any grants that may be available with Sustainable CT.
Invasives
Donais attended the Jan. 29 Planning and Zoning Meeting to discuss possible changes to the zoning regulations regarding invasive and native plantings associated with future developments in Granby. The proposed regulations are meant to encourage native plantings and prohibit invasive species that tend to be detrimental to native species and reduce biodiversity. The P&Z commission discussed the proposed regulations and concluded that the criteria outlined should be used for guidance purposes only and directed staff to revise the proposed regulation.
Pace
McCord reported he and Desiderato met with Town Manager Mike Walsh about three months ago to review priorities. Walsh discussed some initiatives he is interested in—solar energy on town buildings, bridge energy, LED lighting, etc. McCord would like to start with an energy master plan and Szipszky said he would like to participate.
MARCH 11, 2025
Present: David Desiderato, Will Madsen, Kara Marshall, Zachary Donais, Jim Szipszky, Also present: Andrew Small. Stephanie Harper, Danielle Johnston, Lee Shaw
Barndoor Hills Road Farmland
Marshall thanked Lee Shaw for sharing the DEEP report.
Szipszky noted he spoke to the Town Manager Mike Walsh and set up a meeting to discuss the Barndoor Hills farmland.
Discussion regarding the report
Szipszky—The report stated the farmer did not follow procedures for the application of Command and did not follow worker protection standards. The farmer would like to know what can be done to correct this. The town manager and first selectman will meet with the farmer after they review the report. Donais said that upon receipt of the report, the farmer has 30 days to respond to any violations.
Donais would like to make some suggestions regarding the lease language. Szipszky noted there are good elements to the lease but nothing regarding what pesticides will be used, etc. He believes a decision should be made whether to terminate the lease or monitor it. Madsen agreed that information regarding pesticide use should be strengthened in the next lease, and that lease violations would be decided by the town attorney and the commission can make recommendations to the town manager regarding future leases. Small believes the future lease should make the farmer responsible for cleaning up the property. Szipszky offered to prepare a draft of recommendations.
Donais will get copies of the Worker Protection Standards available on the PERC website and noted the DEEP report is available via FOI. Szipszky would like to refer to specific suggestions made by DEEP regarding corrections. Donais will excerpt relevant information from the Workers Protection Statement and distribute to commission members. The commission will wait for the Town Manager to get the information, see what his recommendations are and meet with him before moving forward.
Szipszky pointed out the farmer has other properties in town and any discussion should include all of them.
Szipszky stated a “monitoring of properties” should include a walk through at the beginning and end of the growing season. He also suggested the creation of a monitoring plan for the farmer. He will create a draft and circulate it to the commission.
Library Programs
Holly Johnson spoke to Marshall about reinstating the library talks that would be held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the reading room. Suggestions include: April, Water Equality (to line up with Earth Day); May, Insects; September, Composting/Food Waste; November, Wildlife Diversity and Habitats.
Desiderato noted Invasives has a speaker’s bureau. Donais stated he will speak to people at the Wildflower Meadow regarding a presentation on pollinators, pest control, etc. Madsen offered to cover composting/food waste in September. Szipszky will contact Connor Hogan from McLean Game Refuge to see if he is available in November.