Saturday, January 30, 2010

Notes: Wintonbury Land Trust
Present: Chip Caton, Anne Farnum, Tamara & Oliver Hochman, Jay Stoccatore, Himali Shah, Paula Jones, Kevin Gough, Vikki Reski, and Dale Bertoldi

1. Call to Order
2. Review of Properties
-Received and closed on an additional 3.9 acres from Mrs. Speer to add to the Speer preserve. We have received and deposited a check for expenses. A letter of thanks will be written.
-Thrall Preserve Internship has revealed some interesting facts about the barns. The Potato Barn was built around 1934 and used for potato storage. During the ‘war years’ the Thralls grew a food crop on this property to make them eligible for fertilizer. It is one of Windsor’s only potato barns left. The Tobacco shed was built in the 1920’s and is of smaller size than most sheds because it was used to dry broadleaf tobacco. A charcoal shed is still attached. Most sheds of this type burned down. The power point presentation is available for officers to view and comment on through the basecamp. Dale will write a letter of appreciation for the work that was done. Vikki will check historic barn options for roof repair on the potato barn.
- Kevin will approach Sam Hammer at Holcomb Farms with the offer to use this land for organic farming. It has 6.5 acres of productive land, an irrigation pond, and a storage barn.
-New Stewards for Tunxis Heights are Paula Jones and Kevin Gough. They bring forward experience in the Farmington Valley Watershed. Great to have them join our team.
-Closed on the Privilege Rd. parcel of 22 acres of property given to the Land Trust. A check for taxes is expected in the mail.
3. Reviewed Bloomfield Grange photos and maps. Roof has at least 5 additional years on it. Ideas to help preserve the building were as follows: local non-profit joint use, town dialogue with maintenance in mind, neighborhood outreach (community gardens), farming community, summer camp and near neighbors such as the Swim and Tennis Club. The Board voted to meet w/ the Grange to propose a strategy to preserve this Historic property sharing costs.
4. Treasurers report:
In 2009 we spent nearly $ 4,000 and had an income of $1490. We therefore operated in the negative ($ 2510).
5. Next meeting is scheduled for March 14. Discussions will be centered on marketing and membership.
6. The Farm Viability Grants have been announced. The grant submitted by the Town of Bloomfield with the CEEC and the Wintonbury Land Trust was not one of the selected projects. Elizabeth Moore from the American Farmland Trust expressed surprise but has encouraged us in pursuing our goals outlined in the grant with the volunteer hours. Anne Farnum has done a good deal of initial research on Natural Resources. An open space meeting has been scheduled for February 5 to kick off work between Open Space and Wintonbury Land Trust. Open Space Grants have been announced from DEP which include moneys for open space and community gardens. Vikki Reski will be sitting on the Bloomfield Plan of Conservation and Development Committee. The first meeting will be February 22 or 23.
7. John Hochman will present a workshop on the basecamp and editing the web site on February 5 at 7:00 at 171 Still Road. John has been a key player in the web site development. The Land Trust appreciates his continued support. Himali Shah has volunteered to work on membership and the web. Vikki will e-mail Himali the membership files.
8. New Business
- Chip Caton been in contact with the Colchester Land Trust. The Colchester LT has offered that our Board members attend their next meeting to discuss the success and failures in local fund raising. Colchester has been quite successful in increasing their membership of recent. Chip, Anne and Dale expressed interest in attending.
- The large salt pile stored at Loretti Farm is too close to the wetland and is stored improperly. Loretti has been informed of the salt pile. He will ask that the pile be removed by the party who placed it there without his permission. The Wetland Commission has been informed through David Mann.
-Tamara filed the Quadrennial Report Forms in Bloomfield, Simsbury, West Hartford and Windsor. The 990 was also filed.
10. Adjourn

The Thrall Property

Donated December 2007 by Win-Stanley Properties, this 12 acre parcel represents the only land owned by Wintonbury Land Trust that is in Windsor.
Located just off Day Hill Road, exit 38 off 91.
This property was once part of the Thrall Tobacco Farm holdings in Windsor. Its history is preserved in the 1961 film entitled ‘Parrish” about tobacco farming. In fact the two barns and pond that still remain on the WLT parcel were used as background in the film.
Most of the meadowland near pond has succession overgrowth in transition. There is a staggering of fruit trees near the two barns on the property. Once past the roadway growth, one can easily walk this property unencumbered on established paths while envisioning the prosperous ‘Tobacco Valley’ farm industry. The Potato Barn, 40’x62’, built during WWII in order to grow a food crop and thus have access to fertilizers, is one of the last remaining Potato barns in the Windsor area. The barn has a drive level access and on the lower level, truck bed loading. The Tobacco shed, 30’x180’, built between 1918 and 1929s, is an example of an early charcoal fired shed. The pond on site is most likely a factor in its survival.

Fall at Van Otterloo

Fall at Van Otterloo reveals water features such as the pond, bridge and stream bed. Stewardship is in progress. MDC Right of Way sits to the North of the Property.

Notes: Wintonbury Land Trust, Sunday, November 8, 2009, 4:00-5:30 pm, 52 Duncaster Rd
Present: Chip Caton, Gail & Vic Herson, Anne Farnum, Tamara & Oliver Hochmann, Jay Stoccatore, Himali Shah, Chuck Anano, Vikki Reski, Dale Bertoldi
1. The application for Farm Viability Grant will partner the Town of Bloomfield, WLT and the CEEC open space subcommittee. The proposed grant will identify, photograph and map farmland, develop a checklist to evaluate and prioritize them for preservation and assemble a resource guide. This work will be incorporated into the Plan of Conservation and Development. The WLT has volunteered 120 hours to assist the Town in performing the Grant. Key WLT player are Vikki Reski, Chip Caton and Anne Farnum.
2. Review of Properties
a) Speer property- E. Speer has decided to donate to WLT the remaining 3 acre parcel to the north of the preserve; transfer is scheduled for Dec. 15
b) Van Otterloo walk- revealed the parcel is best accessed from the Balbrae parking area adjacent to the pool or the MDC right of way off Mountain. A house exists west of our parcel between the parcel & MDC. More cutting of undergrowth will need to occur to maintain a clear walking path.
c) Roof repair work is a priority before the wet season- we have one contractor pricing work. WLT will cut the trees closest to the work area.
d) New Stewards update: Jay Staccatore is our Steward for the Speer Preserve, and Ann Farnum is our Steward for the Van Otterloo parcel
e) Privilege Rd. parcel- inadequate deed info at this time. Tony D. will request a proper deed, and add that all accrued taxes in 2009 must be paid by the donor.
3. Treasurers report
a) We spent nearly $2,981 this past year for property transfers, taxes, dues etc., and we received $540 of income mostly from interest. Although we currently have $ 23,800 in our account, there is growing concern that we must increase our membership to remain financially healthy.
b) Fundraising strategies were discussed. Many feel seeking Corporate sponsors is a good strategy based on the public awareness expected by Corporations to support Local Green Initiatives.
c) Also it was suggested to visit the Duncaster and Seabury retirement communities to brief these residents on the current activities taking place in the WLT.
4. www.wintonburylandtrust.org and Blog www.wintonburylandtrust.blogspot.com are now linked on the main page of our Web Site. Tammi is working on the membership portion. Membership will soon be accepted on line.
a. Jay offered to help update the web site w/ Tamara
5. The Land Trust Alliance Challenge Grants has a deadline of January 14th. The Land Trust Alliance was impressed with our last grant that was not accepted. The Alliance has encouraged us to reapply in January. Vikki, Tami and Chip will look at this grant.
6. Tree for Faith Mac Mahon planted end of May and dedicated in the Town of Bloomfield Memorial Day Ceremony. Ceec would like a plaque. Bloomfield Journal had an article about the dedication in which the Land Trust was mentioned.
7. The Land Trust Alliance has developmental education for Land Trusts online as part of our membership.
8. The Easement Initiative will run out at the end of December. The Initiative allows 50% maximum on gross income for fifteen years instead of 30% for five years. Contact your US representative to encourage him to extend this initiative.
9. New Business:
a. The Stouts and Chip have been in contact over the destiny of their field that lies between Stone Hill and Gun Mill. The Board decided to approach John Stout to discuss the options that the WLT can offer. Chip will contact John to set this up.
b. GIS mapping of the Schafer parcel will help in locating property corners. Jay has experience with this technology.

Meeting Notes WINTONBURY LAND TRUST Sunday, May 9, 2009, 4:00-5:30 pm 52 Duncaster Road
Present: Dale Bertoldi, Chip Caton, Tamara Hockman and Vikki Reski
1. Approved Agenda and Meeting notes March 1, 2009
2. Approved the use of Land Trust 2007 Standards and Principles from the Land Trust Alliance.
3. It was agreed that WLT would submit an application for June 6th Grants Program. The project would use the approved mission statement. Vikki Reski will spearhead with Chip Caton editing.
4. Accreditation: The Land Trust will follow 2007 Standards and Principles concentrating on Stewardship Development, Web site development, membership and fundraising. Officers are encouraged to utilize the Land Trust Alliance education and development programs on their site to improve their management skills.
5. Web Page is being developed and soon to be up and running. www.wintonburylandtrust.org. Vikki will get a map update from the Town that contains the correct key. Blog www.wintonburylandtrust.blogspot.com is up and running.
6. Membership discussion
a) Modified Membership Form for web site.
b) Received two new members. Send maps with membership receipt
c) Stewards Responsibilities Document was approved with a couple modifications. Chip Caton will be the new steward contact person.
7. Review of Properties
a) Mapping with town has generated a good map, which has a key that’s needs updated. A couple of properties need to be refined.
b) Roof work at #15 Thrall Preserve Barn # 1. Vikki and Dale to contact a roof contractor.
8. Chip will contact Bloomfield Journal for an announcement about the Wintonbury Land Trust.
9. The Wintonbury Land Trust and Bloomfield CEEC jointly will start a fund for a Commemoration Tree in memory of Faith Machanon

Speer Preserve Stewardship

10/23/2009

Vikki Reski and Anne Farnum

(obtained 3/1994, Nature Conservancy and Mr. & Mrs. Speer)
10 acres

The Speer Preserve is located to the northwest of the end of Juniper Road. A limited amount of parking is near the Preserve along Juniper Road. The property was subdivided and Mrs. Speer still retains 3.9 acres (The Speer Property) mostly north of the Speer Preserve. A Plaque dedicating the Preserve is on a rock near the Speer Drive not far in from Juniper Road.
The Speer Property follows the original Speer House Drive until that road turns west to continue to the original Speer house foundations and out buildings located in the preserve. Three iron pins are located along the east Speer Property line. The Speer Preserve property line is 25’ to the west of the first two iron pins. The last iron pin locates the northern most property line of the Speer Preserve that starts 100’ west of the pin.
Walking through the upland forest in fall two plants become most obvious; Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida) with its scaly bark and Christmas Fern (Polystichum arostichoides) with smooth evergreen fronds.
As we walked up the road we noted some used lumber piled along one side of the road on the Speer property.
After the road turns we continued to walk it uphill through forest and boulders till we crossed a small ridge. The two chimneys with the house foundation were obvious as the land pitched slightly less. The barn and well house were located to north and west of the house with the water tank foundation is further upslope near the northern property line. The barn shows signs of vandalism. Neighbors reported some activity that was broken up by the police a couple weeks ago.
Walking along the northern boundary the gas line easement creates a 30’ walking path that moves to the southwest corner of the property. An obvious growth of small sassafras is evident in this right of way.From the west side of the easement the preserve crosses into Simsbury about 140 feet to the ledge that forms the west property line. Along this ledge 195 feet from the corner a mirror stone locates the corner of the Simsbury and Bloomfield town lines. The ridge is a dramatic feature that can be followed to the Southwest corner of the property where there are several features help locate the property, MDC fence lines, gas line easement, a maple with a fence through it, and a large oak. From this point follow the fence lines and the stonewall east down to the paved end of Juniper Road.

ANNUAL MEETING
WINTONBURY LAND TRUST
Sunday, April 26, 2009, 2:00-4:00 pm at Thrall Preserve, 490 Old Day Hill Road, Windsor, Ct , Barn #1
Sunny 88 deg.
Present: Dale Bertoldi, Tamara Hochman, Chip Caton, Vikki Reski, Hanna Bertoldi, John Whiting, Ken Whiting, Parker, Diane Wassell and

Anne Farnum
1.The 12-acre Thrall Preserve was donated in 2007 by Win-Stanley Properties. The fruit trees around the property were in full bloom, and greeted

the WLT and visitors. The path to barn #1 traversed meadowland containing

shrub clusters near the pond. At the tobacco barn a display of the property map produced jointly by WLT and the Town of Bloomfield was set up. WLT

will write a letter to Thom Hooper thanking him for allowing Thangu Narasimham,GIS specialist at the Town of Bloomfield who helped with this effort. This map will be featured on the web site soon to be available at www.wintonburylandtrust.org.

2. Diane Wassell, the neighbor across Old Day Hill Road provided some

background about the property, originally owned by the Thrall Tobacco Farm who received it after their participation in the Revolutionary War. In the 1960’s

the property and two barns were used in a film entitled ‘Parish’. Diane has

spotted bear, fishers, jackrabbit, possum, raccoon, fox, coyote and deer on this property. Francis Mocklis in Windsor was a foreman at Thrall for many years and could give additional background. Other neighbors on Old Day Hill are Dan Giridian, Sandy Silvers and Shelia Banks.
3. Vice President Chip Canton spotted two Brown Thrashers, #4 on the

Conservation Composite Score and a priority for the Ct Audubon Society

and Partners in Flight.
4. The stewardship program was discussed. Vikki asked Daine Wassell and

Ken Whiting if they would be neighborhood representatives for this parcel. The

Blog at www.wintonburylandtrust.blogspot.com is currently being used for notes and steward information.

5. Tamara spoke to several prospective members and has e-mailed their information to Vikki.
6. Diane led the group on a hike around the property. There is pear, wild rose and blackberries near the barns in the meadowland, woodlands behind the barns, and wetland within the woods. In addition to the barns and pond site features are established paths, fence lines, and flagged trees. There are no paths in the WLT woodland west of the Town of Windsor wetland property. This woodland has thick growth.
7. Chip spotted a Wood Anemone 4”-8” which blooms April to June. The early spring sun highlighted the lycopodeum
(interrupted club moss ) ground cover that we found in the wooded area around the wetlands.