Author: dgroberg

Garden Fever Spreading

Follow the link for an interesting article from today’s Courant on the growing trend of community gardening. 

“It’s been four years since Marta Mozelle MacRostie had a backyard vegetable garden. But with food prices on the rise, the 25-year-old puppeteer and theater teacher signed up this year for a community garden plot in Hartford, where she now lives.” 

Calling all Friends of Boulder Knoll!  

All are invited to a special meeting on Thursday, March 27, at 7 pm at 474 Maple Avenue, Cheshire.

This meeting is special because we have been invited by the Planning Committee of the Town Council to make a proposal for using two acres of Boulder Knoll for agricultural and educational purposes this year.  We will be presenting a proposal (a concept document, not a detailed proposal like before) to the Planning Committee in early April.  If the Planning Committee and the Town Council accept our proposal, we will be able to start working on a piece of land — and we will need everyone’s help to get started.

Here is the agenda:

• Brief review of the current situation at Boulder Knoll, the offer from the Planning Committee, and the goal-setting and ideas developed by the Board at our recent workshop
• Goals for this year and for this piece of land

Issues we need to resolve to get started:

• Our specific plan for the land for this year
• Our plan for involving the community in this town-owned land
• Our policy on use of agricultural chemicals
• Equipment
• Seeds and other planting stock
• Other materials (lime, other soil amendments and/or fertilizers, mulch,
• agrichemicals if any, etc.)
• Water
• Labor
• Marketing products
• Educational and Community programs
• Finances and Fundraising
• Proposal(s) to present to Planning Committee, Town Council, and Town
• Staff

I don’t expect we will resolve all of these issues on Thursday night, but
I hope we will  identify people who will get to work on researching each
of them.

Directions:  Email kstoner@friendsofboulderknoll.com for directions or additional information. 

See you then!  

Connecticut Farmers Markets Thrive in Winter

The winter markets opened after an enormously successful summer and fall season for the more than 90 farmers’ markets and farm stands across the state, in response to the growing interest and demand for locally grown produce and goods in Connecticut. But winter in New England presents its challenges for generating fresh produce.

 Dear Friends of Boulder Knoll:

Big news from the Planning Committee meeting last Thursday!

The Planning Committee decided to go ahead and ask Friends of Boulder Knoll for a proposal for agricultural use for the area between the barn and Bob Gidding’s house.  I think this is great — a reasonable scale for us to start. It’s a fairly small piece of land — they were saying about 2 acres — I think it might be more.  Plenty for a volunteer group without much money or equipment to try to manage.

The timing is also fortuitous.  Laura DeCaprio asked me what would be a reasonable time frame for FOBK to present a proposal, and I said late March.  This gives us time to work on our goals and gather ideas, (by e-mail and at our next meeting, Feb 21 at Fellis’s house) try them out at the financial processes workshop on March 2-3, and see if they will fly financially, and then refine them before we present them late in the month.

The Planning Committee also discussed having town crews go ahead to start controlling invasive species on the site, using targeted application of herbicides by town crews from Park & Recreation. This will require a change of the Management Plan for Boulder Knoll, which I already indicated in my letter to Town Council that we would support.  Milone seemed to think that the Park & Recreation crews could work on this during “windows of opportunity” – including right now, when there is not as much snow to plow as they expected.  We’ll see how much of this really can be done without allocating any new budget for it, but at least they are willing to try.

Minutes of the January 17, 2008 Board of Directors Meeting of the Friends of Boulder Knoll.  

Attendees:

Kim Stoner

Greg Melville

Ron Gagliardi

Bob Giddings

Jill Casertano

Guest: Ed Konowitz 

Kim initiated the meeting by reading a draft of a letter to the Town Council regarding the Environmental Review Team (ERT) report. In the letter the following recommendations were made:

1. Town should focus immediately on issues related to water (quality, impact on groundwater and watersheds, etc.), mowing and invasion species management. Mowing should occur, where possible before April.
2. Use of herbicides carefully and selectively in order to manage and remove invasive species needs to be considered.
3. Town should access the resources available from local volunteers to perform much of the needed mowing/ invasive species management, in addition to resources available in the town.
4. A well is critical and should be drilled ASAP.

Kim distributed this letter to the members for feedback and received limited response. Diane Visconti did recommend that our recommendations include recommendations for the barn.  

The Board members present proceeded with a discussion regarding what our recommendation for the barn should be. The following summarizes key points presented.

• The Planning Committee of the Town Council discussed the barn at its most recent meeting. Reference to the number $150,000-$300,000 to stabilize the barn and make it weather tight. This would make the barn appropriate for storage only. Bill Voelker has been encouraged to apply for a matching grant from the state department of Culture and Tourism.
• Kim offered the perspective that perhaps it is better to take the barn down and rebuild it, as recommend by Joe DiRisi, who noted a figure of $50,000 to do so.
• Bob offered that the barn should be preserved, as it is structurally sound at this point. The three sided storage structure that exists next to the barn can be used for equipment storage. Barn should be redone for educational purposes.
• Greg suggested consideration of dismantling the barn and storing pieces until the town determines the future use of the property.

Board decided after discussion that we supported the town’s recommendation to hire an architect to determine the most cost effective and appropriate plan for dealing with the barn. We recommended that the town ask for a comparative break down of costs for a) demolition and rebuilding, b) stabilization and restoration for use by the public/town, or c) dismantling and storage until a further time.  

Further discussion was held in reference to the call for the town to utilize volunteers to assist with the mowing, invasive management, etc.

-Bob reported that the town employee who is currently haying one field at the farm has offered to mow the property. South end mowing will have to occur in the fall as this portion is too wet in the spring for mowing.

– Further mention was made that the Town would contact CLP to manage the invasives on CLP held right of ways- the site of the farm that currently has is home to most of the fragmites.  

Discussion proceeded to the proposal made by Bob Behrer to establish an American Chestnut grove on a small parcel of the farm. This idea has been received warmly by most members of the Board as a great educational and conservation opportunity and could give us a positive foot in the door. Kim offered to contact the organization and/or individuals with whom this project would be conducted and invite them to our next meeting for further discussion.  

The planned meeting with Seth Wilner for Holistic Economic Planning will occur on Sunday March 2 from 1pm-5pm and conclude on Monday morning March 3^rd. We hope to meet at the home of Jeff Rapoport.  Goals for this meeting included discussion of development of an economic plan for a CSA, and discussion of the feasibility of other ideas presented in our proposal.  

Jeff Rapoport sent a reminder that Powerstation is willing to help with fundraising for the FBK. We should discuss fundraising soon to increase our economic base.  

Further discussion focused on an adult education program that sponsored walks through town open space. The deadline for adult education for the spring has passed, but we discussed setting up a series of walks for the fall.  

Additional items:

Fellis Jordan has successfully registered Friends of Boulder Knoll with  www.goodsearch.com, and yahoo driven search engine that donates money for each search conducted. Simply note Friends of Boulder Knoll in the space provided and search away.  Dan will add this link to the website.  

The Boulder Knoll Montessori School has donated a small working copy machine to the Friends of Boulder Knoll. This will hopefully help to reduce our expenses related to copying of newsletters, etc.  

OUR NEXT MEETING: Thursday February 21^st at 7:00pm. Location TBA.

Submitted : Jill Casertano- Secretary

What if Friends of Boulder Knoll earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy’s and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause.

Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Friends of Boulder Knoll as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word!

The environmental review of the Boulder Knoll property has been released and is available online here.The review provides valuable insight into the unique geography, wildlife,and potential agriculture and recreational uses of Boulder Knoll. 

The environmental review will be discussed at a meeting of the Planning Commission of the Town Council on January 3rd, 2008 at 7pm at the Cheshire Town Hall. Please join the Friends of Boulder Knoll at this important juncture in Boulder Knoll’s future.  

Minutes from 12/18/07 Meeting of the Friends of Boulder Knoll

Attendees:            

Lorrie Canas
Ben Alderton
Jeff Rapoport
Kim Stoner
Fellis Jordan
Jill Casertano
Al. Mitlehner

1) Review of the holistic goal discussion from last months meeting

• Update of financial assets: currently $1400.
•  Kim recommended we begin to prepare on our own for meeting Seth Wilner, in regards to holistic financial planning, particularly our need to become financially self-sustaining.

2) ERT discussion- some members have read the ERT and initial responses were discussed.

• Fellis expressed concern/ interest in who on the town planning committee has the expertise to read the report critically and effect appropriate decision making. According to Michael Milone, our questions should be directed to Laura DiCaprio- what expertise does she have?
• Jill noted the repeated mention of the issues of water and water run off at the property: The entire property exists in a watershed (north of the road, the Broad Brook Reservoir, south of the road, the Mill River Watershed) and 25% of property is wetland (some which has been used for agricultural purposes and will need to be reclaimed). There is also noted a considerable about of Highly Erodable Land, which will need to be considered for agriculture.
• Kim noted that mowing appears to be critical for any processes to begin, and that for conservation purposes, much of it will need to be completed either before April, or after October.
• The group further discussed the need to reexamine our proposal to the town and develop a set of priorities that reflect the ERT findings. Differences of opinion were expressed related the to extent to which the FBK should aim to be in direct control of the entire property, or advisory in some areas, and directly involved in perhaps a smaller portion (perhaps a couple of acres for organic community gardens, or a biointensive farming for a small CSA) for agriculture and education. The ERT repeatedly recommended using the property for conservation and education, and discussion of our role in this was discussed
• Jeff suggested that we need to gather more information from a cross section of the town  regarding what the town needs and wants from the land on Boulder Rd. We need to find out what is needed at local farmers markets, in the schools, and elsewhere it ensure that we are providing for a need. Jeff also noted that we have, as an organization, a considerable about of expertise regarding this property that the new town gov’t perhaps does not have. We need to prepare materials to educate the town, including maps, overlaws, etc. to demonstrate what is there, needed, etc.
• The issues of the barn was also discussed, including the cost effectiveness of restoring and rebuilding vs. starting from scratch, and green construction reusing materials already there and bringing in reclaimed materials  was further mentioned.

The group decided that the FBK would act accordingly in response to the ERT 

• Kim will write a press release with the goals of informing citizens that the ERT is complete and available for reading at the Cheshire Public Library. The release will also note that FBK is now affiliated with the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, and tax deductible gifts can be made via this organization to FBK.
• Kim will contact Laura DiCaprio and try to arrange a meeting with her, as the new head of the planning committee, to discuss the ERT and the Town’s planning for responding to the ERT. She will also inquire as to the appropriateness of including Bob Ceccolini (head of Parks and Rec) in communication regarding Boulder Knoll Farm and the ERT.
• Kim will write a brief to the town with the following recommendations:
  • Marking of wetlands and buffer zones should be done ASAP
  • Mowing of the farm should be completed by April for maximum conservation benefits to wild life.
  • Invasive Species Management planning should begin ASAP

3) Community Foundation of Greater New Haven- Agreement is in place, and thanks to Kim, Greg and Jeff, and initial deposit of $1,000. has been made. Fellis will print a set of labels to be inserted in the flyer, directing those interested in a tax deductible donation to make checks to the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, with a note that the funds should be directed to the Friends of Boulder Knoll Fund.

4) Fundraising plans- Need for increasing our financial base is clear.

• Fellis offered to inquire into the Goodsearch.com, a yahoo based search engine that gives a penny to an identified cause with every search conducted.
• Lorrie suggested inquiring into a booth at the Cheshire Home show and at the coming outdoor educators conference at Quinnipiac University, to hand out information and collect funds. 

5) Spring Adult Education Course.

Kim recommended an alternative to sitting in a classroom, talking about the needs of the community: a series of Saturday morning walks through open space areas of town. Walks could have an educational component, with a guest speaker to talk about related topics. Jill offered that included a couple of Family friendly walks would be a good tool to reach out to the family demographic in the town. An opportunity for collaboration with the Land Trust, on the Ives.Pelz farms and the Audobon society at the property on Cheshire St. was also discussed.

NEXT MEETING: January 17^th at 7:00 PM. LOCATION TBA.

Tentative dates for meeting with Seth Wilner about financial planning- March 3 & 4^th (Sunday /Monday). Details to follow.

Minutes of November 29 Friends of Boulder Knoll Meeting 

Attendees:  Greg Melville   Jeff Rapoport

            Fellis Jordan   Ron Gagliardi

            Carol Goetz   Kim Stoner

            Bob Behrer   Jill Casertano 

1. Review of Holistic Goal and Beginning of Revision Process: 

Kim directed the group to reconsider our holistic goal, and revise it, so that as decisions are made in the year ahead, they reflect our holistic goal. We need to reconsider that we see ourselves as doing or wanting from/for  Friends of Boulder Knoll in the future.

(The following is a copy of notes from group brainstorming) 

What do we want to manage? What can we manage?

• Advocacy of open space: Advisory, providing info to town staff, presence at town meetings.
• Educational programs
• Resource base: membership, professional groups, NRCS. SWCD, WLA, Adult Ed class attendees
• Resource base: Information accumulated
• Community’s understanding of land use
• Decision makers: Board of Directors
• Assets- $200.00 
• Collaboration with others: Town Council, Cheshire Land Trust, Farmers in Town, Quinnipiac Watershed Association, Cheshire Audobon Society.

Our Quality of Life Goals

• Open space, farms   – less organized play
• Friendly reliable community – allowing nature to thrive
• Kin gentle community  – “parks that kids build”
• Slower pace
• More people walking
• Town that provides for its own needs
• Kids out in nature

 

2. Coming Release of the ERT: Elaine S. promises the release of the ERT the first week in December. It will be available on the ERT website. Jill, Kim and Fellis will look it over before next meeting.

– Discussion of the need to review the ERT, prepare something for the press, the town, and members, and then determine what we want to propose to the town.

Bob cautioned to be careful with how we present our ideas to the town- we want avoid the presumption from the town that we are trying to take control.

• Jill will contact M. Milone to determine how the town will progress the ERT, what the process will be and who we should contact regarding the ERT.

 

3. Thanks to Diane Visconti- we missed the final meeting of the Town Council. Ron will ask permission to present thanks to Diane at the Democratic Town Committee meeting on Dec. 9.  

4. Community Foundation of Greater New Haven: Final wording of the agreement has been approved, and signed. We will need to make an initial deposit of approximately $1,000.00 in order to get started. Jeff will make inquiries as to their recommendations for a cash account for small expenses.  

5. Education component: We need explore future ideas for developing programs in elementary schools. Chapman School PTA member has contacted Jill for information regarding any programs they could sponsor. Maria Novia’s name was mentioned as a local person who gives talks regarding healthy snacks, etc.  

Next Meeting Date: 12/13/07 tentative goals: revisit holistic goal, activism local vs. state level, ERT, organizing adult ed program for the spring.