52 Duncaster Road, Bloomfield Present: Chip Caton, Dale Bertoldi, Jay Stoccatore, Himali_Shah; Vikki Reski, Tamara Hochman, Claudia Bell
- Special Projects
a. The CCLC has awarded a $10,000 development grant with the stipulation that the grant have some modifications that will require Land Trust assessment. The board has approved this change. CCLC will send a consultant list. WLT does not have to choose the consultant from that list. Chip and Hannah Roditi will work on requirements of this change and report back to the board.
- Lisa Lane Family Fun Fair- September 10, 10:00-1:00, See web site for more information.
- Special election
a) Tami will stay as treasurer for a short time until we find a replacement. Tami and Vikki work on quicken for the accounts. The Land Trust may need a different 990 form this year.
b) Vikki Reski will step down from secretary position. Paula Jones is willing to take this position in a couple of months.
c) Diane Mack and Anne Farnum may be willing to take a board position in the future. There are 11 active board positions available. Chip recommends the Land Trust add an emeritus category to our board positions.
- Fundraising Projects.
a) Stout Fields: NRCS grasslands awarded to DEP and WLT. DEP will hold Development Rights. DEP in process of appraisal. Grant paperwork is being done. Bafflin grant award for $35,000. Check is deposited and Thank you letter written. Chip will check on appraisal progress.
b) Lisa Lane: will receive $89,000 NCRS matching funds to purchase the development rights to the Lisa Lane Farm under the Federal Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program. Land Trust will hold the Development Rights and Bloomfield Town have ownership of land. Letters to update about funding to the anonymous donor and the Hartford Foundation are being written. The appraisal will be paid for by Thomas Henry will cost $3500 and will be completed by November 1. A meeting with the Town Manager and the Town Attorney is being arranged. Vikki and Dale will complete paperwork for the NRCS grant.
c) Thrall: Thrall Barn project will need critical guidance as we work towards an active CSA on the project. Dale and Vikki have spoken to Kevin Gough and Paula Jones about becoming active stewards on this property. We have asked the future farmer for an outline business plan. Critical items on the property are the barn roof and the clearing of the land. The barn roof if not repaired this fall may sustain too much damage this winter to make it feasible to repair. Dale estimated the temporary roof repair would cost about $2500 and could buy us 5 years till we can work on the complete reroofing. We will need some clearing which we will use the two grants the Land Trust received from Hamilton Sundstrand and NEGEF. Dale and Vikki will be working with Kevin and Paula on these issues in the next weeks. Chip will locate an ING contact for possible funding of the Thrall roof. Himali will complete the Hamilton Sundstrand grant.
- Committee Reports
a) Membership: Tami is willing to stay in a position to help with membership and Internet coordination.
b) Stewardship: CL&P planting at Capewell Greene will be done in fall.
c) Grants: Hannah Roditi participated in the teleconference for information on the People’s Garden Grant Program pulls together funds from AMS, APHIS, FNS, FS, and NRCS to facilitate the creation of produce, recreation, and/or wildlife gardens in urban and rural areas, which will provide opportunities for science-based informal education. She has recommended that we are not ready to do paperwork on this grant at this time.
d) Financial: Financials on quick books, Insurance changes, board insurance.
e) Marketing: The Land Trust needs membership to volunteer to help with Internet and Newsletter
f) Board members and committee posts: Individuals can be more involved and train for board positions in the committees. The committee can help us transition board members into critical officer positions. Chip especially needs help with fund raising.
- Next Meeting Date: October 27.
- Adjourn
