May 13, 2025
Members present: Kara Marshall, Zachary Donais, Jim Szipszky, David Desiderato. Members absent: Will Madsen, Kent McCord, Andy Small. Also present: First Selectman Mark Fiorentino, Stephanie Harper, Peggy Lareau.
Barndoor Hills Farmland
Marshall inquired if there could be a role for the conservation and agricultural commissions with monitoring and management of the farm property.
Fiorentino reviewed the process regarding the town’s creation of farm leases and the bidding process, particularly with the farmer leasing the Barndoor Hills Property. He also discussed DEEP’s response to the complaint filed against the farmer, the farmer’s follow-up and the town’s subsequent discussions with him.
Fiorentino noted he believes the requirements for town-owned farmland and private-owned land should be the same. Szipszky noted there are some differences, such as farmland that is adjacent to trails used by the public. He suggested the agricultural commission and conservation commission work together to make recommendations regarding the leased properties.
Lareau believes that any town-owned land that involves a threat to natural resources has to be treated the same as private property and she would like the conservation commission to weigh in on this as a health and safety issue.
Marshall stated it is important Granby remain a proponent of farmers. She would like the commission to make some suggestions for future RFPs (Requests for Proposal).
Donais stated holding town-owned farmland and private property owners to the same standards regarding pesticide use can create issues and if too many restrictions are put in place, the town will not have any farmers interested in the leases. He suggested the practice of IPM (Integrated Pest Management), which tends to mitigate the use of some chemicals.
Harper does not want to make restrictions beyond what DEEP allows but would like to know ahead of time what is going to be used.
Szipszky would like to see more communication and suggested other pest management strategies be considered, such as IPM and the NRCS conservation plan used by the Granby Land Trust.
Marshall would like to continue the discussion on IPM, continue to work with the agricultural commission and continue the discussion at next month’s meeting to make recommendations.
Plan of Conservation and Development
Fiorentino explained the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) needs to be revised every 10 years and is due September 2026. He explained the planning and zoning commission oversees the process and noted a representative from various committees/commissions will sit on the review committee, including one representative from the conservation commission. Marshall will contact Abby Kenyon to get more information.
June 10, 2025
Members present: Kara Marshall, Kent McCord, Zachary Donais, Will Madsen, Jim Szipszky; David Desiderato and Andrew Small.
Continued Farm Lease Conversation
Kara Marshall noted that Agricultural Commission Chairman Heather Lombardo is stepping down.
In April Szipszky and Marshall met with the agricultural commission and are now working together on leasing guidelines, such as prudent practices. He distributed a working draft for commissioners to review.
Szipszky discussed programs that preserve farmland. Two are administered through the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. Marshall would like a representative from one of them to speak at a conservation meeting—Szipszky will look into this.
Energy Conservation
McCord reported he, Szipszky and Desiderato met with Town Manager Mike Walsh regarding energy conservation. The town has renegotiated a longer-term supply contract for electricity that includes some commitment to renewable energy. Walsh has initiated working with the Connecticut Green Bank to assess solar on one or two town-owned buildings and noted the DPW garage and the church building at Holcomb Farm are possibilities.
McCord will connect with Jenny Emery regarding the church building. He would like to meet with Walsh again regarding energy efficiency measures. Marshall noted Eversource has some new weatherization incentives for buildings and she will provide the contact information of those involved.