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Thursday, September 2, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
July 17th Lisa Lane Tour
The Lisa Lane Farm Tour on July 17 at 10:00 had a great turnout thanks to Hannah Roditi who is coordinated the effort for a Master Gardener Project. Hannah Roditi and Shelley Durocher had canvassed neighborhood surrounding the farm the week of the tour. This yielded over 50 people who toured and brought produce from the farmer Desmond Samuda.
Speakers at the tour were owner and Windsor neighbor Kathryn (Kate) Lange, the farmer Desmond Samuda, CEEC Open Space Diane Mack, WLT President Dale Bertoldi and
WLT tour guide Vikki Reski.
Crops on the farm include Calaloo, a type of leaf amaranth used for greens, squash, tomatoes, peppers and cabbage. Special thanks to Kristen Grahams, Desmond Samuda’s niece who helped with tour arrangements.
A joint effort by Bloomfield’s Open Space Subcommittee and the WLT has resulted in an Open Space DEP grant application submitted in May 2010 (75% possible to purchase Development Rights for the 10 acre Lisa Lane Farm in the midst of an east side neighborhood which is a dense residential diverse (84% non-white) community. The Town has a commitment to buy the property from th
e owner for $300,000 if the grant is given and the team has found additional funding to make up the difference of grant funding in the purchase price. Two appraisals were done by the Town of Bloomfield. The team, the Conservation Energy Environment Open Space Subcommittee and the Wintonbury Land Trust have been working to secure additional funding. Money is tight in this economic climate. Neighborhood support of the farm is essential. The farm tour was a wonderful show of the neighborhood support.
Highlights of the grant application are:
The soil is significant state farm soil and has been amended with organic matter to obtain a fine textured growing medium.
The farmer who leases the land is Jamaican who grows calaloo, an amaranth used for greens and other ethnic crops.
The site has two vernal pools which offer abundant educational opportunities for the public schools. The Farm has in the past cooperated with the Agricultural Program at Bloomfield High.
The Urban Farm has walkable neighborhood access during hours of operation.
The Town of Windsor has defined a wildlife corridor which passes within a one block of the site along Meadow Brook which connects two North Natural Diversity Areas to several south of the site. Mount St. Benedict Cemetery is directly across Cottage Grove Road and Matianuck State Park and Keney Park are south within ½ mile.
Speakers at the tour were owner and Windsor neighbor Kathryn (Kate) Lange, the farmer Desmond Samuda, CEEC Open Space Diane Mack, WLT President Dale Bertoldi and
WLT tour guide Vikki Reski.Crops on the farm include Calaloo, a type of leaf amaranth used for greens, squash, tomatoes, peppers and cabbage. Special thanks to Kristen Grahams, Desmond Samuda’s niece who helped with tour arrangements.
A joint effort by Bloomfield’s Open Space Subcommittee and the WLT has resulted in an Open Space DEP grant application submitted in May 2010 (75% possible to purchase Development Rights for the 10 acre Lisa Lane Farm in the midst of an east side neighborhood which is a dense residential diverse (84% non-white) community. The Town has a commitment to buy the property from th
e owner for $300,000 if the grant is given and the team has found additional funding to make up the difference of grant funding in the purchase price. Two appraisals were done by the Town of Bloomfield. The team, the Conservation Energy Environment Open Space Subcommittee and the Wintonbury Land Trust have been working to secure additional funding. Money is tight in this economic climate. Neighborhood support of the farm is essential. The farm tour was a wonderful show of the neighborhood support.Highlights of the grant application are:
The soil is significant state farm soil and has been amended with organic matter to obtain a fine textured growing medium.
The farmer who leases the land is Jamaican who grows calaloo, an amaranth used for greens and other ethnic crops.
The site has two vernal pools which offer abundant educational opportunities for the public schools. The Farm has in the past cooperated with the Agricultural Program at Bloomfield High.
The Urban Farm has walkable neighborhood access during hours of operation.
The Town of Windsor has defined a wildlife corridor which passes within a one block of the site along Meadow Brook which connects two North Natural Diversity Areas to several south of the site. Mount St. Benedict Cemetery is directly across Cottage Grove Road and Matianuck State Park and Keney Park are south within ½ mile.
WLT meeting 07 15, 2010
7:00-8:00 pm 52 Duncaster Road
Present: Dale Bertoldi, Vikki Reski, Chip Caton, Jay Stoccatore, Tamara and Oliver Hochmann, Vic Herson, Gail Herson and Kevin Gough
1. Call to Order/ approval of minutes.
2. Farm Tour on July 17 at 10:00 will promote conservation for the Town of Bloomfield Plan of Conservation and Development Public Meeting July 28. Hannah Roditi is coordinating this effort for a Master Gardener Project.
-Flyers for the Farm Tour have been posted at Public Spaces and are at the Farm for handouts.
-Hannah Roditi and Shelley Durocher will canvass neighborhood with flyers. Hannah will then do call back as
reminders of the tour.
-Speakers will include the owner Ron Pitts, the farmer Desmond Samuda, CEEC Open Space Diane Mack, WLT
President Dale Bertoldi, WLT tour guide Vikki Reski
- Hannah Roditi will work from her call list to increase participation of the Lisa Lane neighborhood at the Public
Meeting on the 29th.
3. Lisa Lane grant search
-After speaking with Elizabeth Moore from Ct. Farmland Trust, Vikki Reski believes that grants could be applied
for jointly or individually for Lisa Lane by the Town of Bloomfield and/or WLT. Some grants only nonprofits are
allowed funds. Elizabeth Moore stated that some of the farmland in Simsbury was obtained with funds obtained
by the Simsbury Land Trust and the Town working different grants for joint ownership. Elizabeth Moore strongly
recommends speaking with Hartford Foundation.
-Vikki has put in a couple calls to Sharon O’Meara at Hartford Foundation for Giving and sent her background on
the Lisa Lane Project. Vikki has not spoken with her.
4. Review of Properties
a) Thrall Barn Project and Sustainability Grant: Himali Shah is checking on when the check will be cut.
b) Land offered for donation:
-The board approved accepting the Michael and Naomi Cohen 0.5 acre building lot at 26 Terry Plains Rd. Michael Cohen will donate all the transfer costs as well as any residual taxes. WLT will accept Michael and Naomi Cohen as Life members.
-Dale will speak to Leonard Bull about donating the Pine Meadow Lane lots 1221, 1222 to the Town of
Bloomfield to allow an additional neighbor connection to Joyce Street Park.
c) Vikki Reski spoke to Richard Simmons who owns 9.58 acres at 452 Tunxis Ave. Richard is currently farming in Suffield but would like a property sale that would keep this prime farmland in farming. The land abuts the Farmington River Park and Culbro Prime Farmland. Board members will bike to the property early Sunday morning to evaluate. Vikki has printed a map.
5. Membership
Welcome new members: Nathaniel Strick & Jennifer Carvallho, Diane Mack and Robin, Lois Hager, Hannah Roditi, Cary Henderson and Robin Sherwood, Cheryl Fox and Diane Libbey.
6. Map on web site was updated by Tamara Hochmann. Check it out.
7. Presentations
a) Library: On Tuesday, September 21, 7:00 P.M. `Parrish’ a film with the Windsor WLT Thrall Property as it was in the 1960’s will be shown. It will be followed by a Q&A facilitated by WLT Chip Caton. This will be described in a paragraph and published in the library’s Footnotes, which is mailed to all Bloomfield residents around August 31. We will also post it on our web site. A presentation about the Wintonbury Land Trust is scheduled on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. Chip Caton will also present with support from Dale Bertoldi and Vikki Reski. Vikki Reski will send some support data to Carol Lenning at the library.
b) Shelley Durocher and Chip Caton are currently working up a list of neighboring corporations for presentations on partnerships for repairing the storage barn at Thrall Property.
8. See web site for short cut to blog for Trails Day and Earth Day Walk activity summaries.
9. June bank balance is $23,000.
10. New Business for next meeting: Geocatching, Bike tour of properties, presentations & report on properties. Adjourn
Present: Dale Bertoldi, Vikki Reski, Chip Caton, Jay Stoccatore, Tamara and Oliver Hochmann, Vic Herson, Gail Herson and Kevin Gough
1. Call to Order/ approval of minutes.
2. Farm Tour on July 17 at 10:00 will promote conservation for the Town of Bloomfield Plan of Conservation and Development Public Meeting July 28. Hannah Roditi is coordinating this effort for a Master Gardener Project.
-Flyers for the Farm Tour have been posted at Public Spaces and are at the Farm for handouts.
-Hannah Roditi and Shelley Durocher will canvass neighborhood with flyers. Hannah will then do call back as
reminders of the tour.
-Speakers will include the owner Ron Pitts, the farmer Desmond Samuda, CEEC Open Space Diane Mack, WLT
President Dale Bertoldi, WLT tour guide Vikki Reski
- Hannah Roditi will work from her call list to increase participation of the Lisa Lane neighborhood at the Public
Meeting on the 29th.
3. Lisa Lane grant search
-After speaking with Elizabeth Moore from Ct. Farmland Trust, Vikki Reski believes that grants could be applied
for jointly or individually for Lisa Lane by the Town of Bloomfield and/or WLT. Some grants only nonprofits are
allowed funds. Elizabeth Moore stated that some of the farmland in Simsbury was obtained with funds obtained
by the Simsbury Land Trust and the Town working different grants for joint ownership. Elizabeth Moore strongly
recommends speaking with Hartford Foundation.
-Vikki has put in a couple calls to Sharon O’Meara at Hartford Foundation for Giving and sent her background on
the Lisa Lane Project. Vikki has not spoken with her.
4. Review of Properties
a) Thrall Barn Project and Sustainability Grant: Himali Shah is checking on when the check will be cut.
b) Land offered for donation:
-The board approved accepting the Michael and Naomi Cohen 0.5 acre building lot at 26 Terry Plains Rd. Michael Cohen will donate all the transfer costs as well as any residual taxes. WLT will accept Michael and Naomi Cohen as Life members.
-Dale will speak to Leonard Bull about donating the Pine Meadow Lane lots 1221, 1222 to the Town of
Bloomfield to allow an additional neighbor connection to Joyce Street Park.
c) Vikki Reski spoke to Richard Simmons who owns 9.58 acres at 452 Tunxis Ave. Richard is currently farming in Suffield but would like a property sale that would keep this prime farmland in farming. The land abuts the Farmington River Park and Culbro Prime Farmland. Board members will bike to the property early Sunday morning to evaluate. Vikki has printed a map.
5. Membership
Welcome new members: Nathaniel Strick & Jennifer Carvallho, Diane Mack and Robin, Lois Hager, Hannah Roditi, Cary Henderson and Robin Sherwood, Cheryl Fox and Diane Libbey.
6. Map on web site was updated by Tamara Hochmann. Check it out.
7. Presentations
a) Library: On Tuesday, September 21, 7:00 P.M. `Parrish’ a film with the Windsor WLT Thrall Property as it was in the 1960’s will be shown. It will be followed by a Q&A facilitated by WLT Chip Caton. This will be described in a paragraph and published in the library’s Footnotes, which is mailed to all Bloomfield residents around August 31. We will also post it on our web site. A presentation about the Wintonbury Land Trust is scheduled on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. Chip Caton will also present with support from Dale Bertoldi and Vikki Reski. Vikki Reski will send some support data to Carol Lenning at the library.
b) Shelley Durocher and Chip Caton are currently working up a list of neighboring corporations for presentations on partnerships for repairing the storage barn at Thrall Property.
8. See web site for short cut to blog for Trails Day and Earth Day Walk activity summaries.
9. June bank balance is $23,000.
10. New Business for next meeting: Geocatching, Bike tour of properties, presentations & report on properties. Adjourn
Monday, June 28, 2010
June 5, 2010
Trails Day
Re: $2000 Sustainability Green Team Mini Grant
1. Clear 5' opening on fence path to the potato barn
2. Clear 5' opening on fence path to northeast property corner and road path
3. Look at linking the road path to wetlands path to the west
4. Look at the trimming east side of tobacco barn
5. Mapping of trail
Volunteer Hours
Chip Caton 3.5
Dale Bertoldi 4.5
Jay Stoccatore 3.5
Himali Shah 3.5
Vikki Reski 3.5
John Whiting 1.5
Trails Day
Re: $2000 Sustainability Green Team Mini Grant
1. Clear 5' opening on fence path to the potato barn
2. Clear 5' opening on fence path to northeast property corner and road path
3. Look at linking the road path to wetlands path to the west
4. Look at the trimming east side of tobacco barn
5. Mapping of trail
Volunteer Hours
Chip Caton 3.5
Dale Bertoldi 4.5
Jay Stoccatore 3.5
Himali Shah 3.5
Vikki Reski 3.5
John Whiting 1.5
Thursday, June 24, 2010
POND TO HILLTOP
Earth Day Hike 2010-Pond to Hilltop
The Wintonbury Land Trust’s re-scheduled Earth day Hike met at the Stone House in the La Salette Open Space at 120 Mountain Ave on May 2 at 2:00. The enthusiastic group of prepared explorers set off through the Historic upper farm fields of La Salette on the farm road leading south-south west to the opening in the tree line at the field’s edge. Our group admired the framed panoramic view of Hartford as the grassed path descended the hill to a pond and wetlands crossing. The trail was a little wet but all participates were surprised to see a serenely set pond to the north of the path.
Woodpecker tapping was heard as the hikers ascended the old roadbed in surp
rising good condition. Large expansive trees ever present line the road edges and a fence line to the right marks Bloomfield town property from private. The road lead up the hill to a high point near an old ski slope. At this point paths lead a couple directions.
In order to reach our destination, the cul-de-sac at the end of Rye Hollow Drive and the Wintonbury Land Trust Sinnot Farm Knoll, our hikers continued on the left hand path which was reopened recently by the Wintonbury Land Trust. As the group followed the trail it became apparent that the land to the right was older growth forest and to the right a field grown up. Many invasives were established on the right; to the left the forest was clean.
At reaching the cedar forest falls we turned east to find the old oak and fencing which marked the property line of the east facing foot of the La Salette Open Space. This is where we descended along a path which leads to the cul-de-sac. The Sinnot Farms Knoll lays to the right of the road and encircles a small enclave of homes.
Turning back to retrace our steps we discover the path descending the hill is a red blazed trail.
Highlights on the hike are the gorgeous Ramps and Red Trillium.
The Wintonbury Land Trust’s re-scheduled Earth day Hike met at the Stone House in the La Salette Open Space at 120 Mountain Ave on May 2 at 2:00. The enthusiastic group of prepared explorers set off through the Historic upper farm fields of La Salette on the farm road leading south-south west to the opening in the tree line at the field’s edge. Our group admired the framed panoramic view of Hartford as the grassed path descended the hill to a pond and wetlands crossing. The trail was a little wet but all participates were surprised to see a serenely set pond to the north of the path.
Woodpecker tapping was heard as the hikers ascended the old roadbed in surp
rising good condition. Large expansive trees ever present line the road edges and a fence line to the right marks Bloomfield town property from private. The road lead up the hill to a high point near an old ski slope. At this point paths lead a couple directions.In order to reach our destination, the cul-de-sac at the end of Rye Hollow Drive and the Wintonbury Land Trust Sinnot Farm Knoll, our hikers continued on the left hand path which was reopened recently by the Wintonbury Land Trust. As the group followed the trail it became apparent that the land to the right was older growth forest and to the right a field grown up. Many invasives were established on the right; to the left the forest was clean.
At reaching the cedar forest falls we turned east to find the old oak and fencing which marked the property line of the east facing foot of the La Salette Open Space. This is where we descended along a path which leads to the cul-de-sac. The Sinnot Farms Knoll lays to the right of the road and encircles a small enclave of homes.
Turning back to retrace our steps we discover the path descending the hill is a red blazed trail.
Highlights on the hike are the gorgeous Ramps and Red Trillium.
WINTONBURY LAND TRUST April 25, 2010, 1:30-2:00 pm, 52 Duncaster Road
Present: Dale Bertoldi, Vikki Reski, Chip Caton, Jay Stoccatore, Himali Shah, Tamara Hochmann
1. Call to Order/ approval of minutes.
2. CEEC and Wintonbury Land Trust DEP Grants Update
-Objectives of Land Acquisition- sent to members for review
-Letter of Support from WLT will be sent with the Town of Bloomfield Lisa Lane/Pitz Farm Application.
-WLT will offer Stewardship of the Development Rights of Lisa Lane/Pitz Farm to the Town of Bloomfield.
3. Hamilton Sundstrand $2000 Sustainability Grant.
-Himali applied for the grant for the Wintonbury Land Trust. She used the language from a past grant which WLT applied for. We agreed that the development of trails and removal of invasive species at the Thrall Farm would be the focus. Vikki will write an outline for the grant and send this and some maps to Himali. Chip offered to meet with the officials administrating the grant and receive the check; possible PR with the Windsor paper.
-Trails Day is June 6. Jay suggested a work party could be the kick off for this grant. Vikki will speak with Mark Hall of Stefan Farms to inform and coordinate with him concerns about this grant and the project.
4. Dale Bertoldi, Chip Caton, Paul Repasy and Vikki Reski meet with the Grange on April 6th to answer any questions about the proposal to have the WLT take possession. No decision was forthcoming.
5. Three new members were added to the Land Trust Membership; Hannah Roditi, Nathaniel Strick and Jennifer Carvalho and Cary Henderson and Robin Sherwood. Welcome.
6. The Public Meeting on the Plan of Conservation and Development at the Town of Bloomfield was well attended. Preservation of Open Space was one of the greatest concerns of the citizens in attendance. Two more public hearing are to be scheduled in June and July. June meeting I June 29 at 7:00 at the Senior Citizen Center, 330 Park Avenue. The Plan of Conservation and Development is a ten year plan and sets the direction of conservation and development in Bloomfield. All members are encouraged to attend to show their opinions on issues in this plan.
-Values of Open Space: Quality of life, increase of land values, water quality, storm water runoff control, farmland preservation/local foods, environmental education, wildlife habitat and corridors, ecotourism and property tax values.
-Development issues concerning quality of environment: Low Impact Development for storm water and coverage, encourage Smart Growth for redevelopment of sites in existing core areas, implement farm friendly zoning changes, ordinances and business supports, preservation of historical buildings and sites, walkable town center, recreation and wildlife corridors mapped and preserved through proposed developments and Conservation Subdivision designs with higher levels of land set asides, diversity and %.
7. Hike has been rescheduled to May 2 at 2:00; meet in LaSalette by Stone House. Hikers should have good shoes and water. Web site was updated to rain cancellation this morning.
8. Hannah Roditi has requested to work with the Land Trust on a project for her Master Gardener Certification. Chip Caton has requested that Vikki speak with her about a possible project.
9. The National Land Trust Rally will be held in Hartford this year, October2 thru 5th. There are scholarships available for land trust officers. Chip and Vikki expressed interest. Applications are due mid July.
10. Chip has been speaking to John Stout about the Stout’s field and access to Penwood Park from Stone Hill Road. This access will be closed for one day and reopen the next. Jeff Roy will be haying the field this year.
11. Adjourn
Present: Dale Bertoldi, Vikki Reski, Chip Caton, Jay Stoccatore, Himali Shah, Tamara Hochmann
1. Call to Order/ approval of minutes.
2. CEEC and Wintonbury Land Trust DEP Grants Update
-Objectives of Land Acquisition- sent to members for review
-Letter of Support from WLT will be sent with the Town of Bloomfield Lisa Lane/Pitz Farm Application.
-WLT will offer Stewardship of the Development Rights of Lisa Lane/Pitz Farm to the Town of Bloomfield.
3. Hamilton Sundstrand $2000 Sustainability Grant.
-Himali applied for the grant for the Wintonbury Land Trust. She used the language from a past grant which WLT applied for. We agreed that the development of trails and removal of invasive species at the Thrall Farm would be the focus. Vikki will write an outline for the grant and send this and some maps to Himali. Chip offered to meet with the officials administrating the grant and receive the check; possible PR with the Windsor paper.
-Trails Day is June 6. Jay suggested a work party could be the kick off for this grant. Vikki will speak with Mark Hall of Stefan Farms to inform and coordinate with him concerns about this grant and the project.
4. Dale Bertoldi, Chip Caton, Paul Repasy and Vikki Reski meet with the Grange on April 6th to answer any questions about the proposal to have the WLT take possession. No decision was forthcoming.
5. Three new members were added to the Land Trust Membership; Hannah Roditi, Nathaniel Strick and Jennifer Carvalho and Cary Henderson and Robin Sherwood. Welcome.
6. The Public Meeting on the Plan of Conservation and Development at the Town of Bloomfield was well attended. Preservation of Open Space was one of the greatest concerns of the citizens in attendance. Two more public hearing are to be scheduled in June and July. June meeting I June 29 at 7:00 at the Senior Citizen Center, 330 Park Avenue. The Plan of Conservation and Development is a ten year plan and sets the direction of conservation and development in Bloomfield. All members are encouraged to attend to show their opinions on issues in this plan.
-Values of Open Space: Quality of life, increase of land values, water quality, storm water runoff control, farmland preservation/local foods, environmental education, wildlife habitat and corridors, ecotourism and property tax values.
-Development issues concerning quality of environment: Low Impact Development for storm water and coverage, encourage Smart Growth for redevelopment of sites in existing core areas, implement farm friendly zoning changes, ordinances and business supports, preservation of historical buildings and sites, walkable town center, recreation and wildlife corridors mapped and preserved through proposed developments and Conservation Subdivision designs with higher levels of land set asides, diversity and %.
7. Hike has been rescheduled to May 2 at 2:00; meet in LaSalette by Stone House. Hikers should have good shoes and water. Web site was updated to rain cancellation this morning.
8. Hannah Roditi has requested to work with the Land Trust on a project for her Master Gardener Certification. Chip Caton has requested that Vikki speak with her about a possible project.
9. The National Land Trust Rally will be held in Hartford this year, October2 thru 5th. There are scholarships available for land trust officers. Chip and Vikki expressed interest. Applications are due mid July.
10. Chip has been speaking to John Stout about the Stout’s field and access to Penwood Park from Stone Hill Road. This access will be closed for one day and reopen the next. Jeff Roy will be haying the field this year.
11. Adjourn
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Earth Day Speer Preserve Trail Maintenance
Friends and members of the Wintonbury Land Trust spent the morning of Saturday April 24th performing trail maintenance at the Speer Preserve along the westbound trail off of Juniper road.
In all, three dead trees which were looming over the main walking path were taken down.
This maintenance provide hikers seeking access to Talcott Mountain with safer passage.
Special thanks goes out to Benson who was paramount in pulling down the tree which was rotted out and leaning over the parking area.
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