[NOTE: These minutes are made available to the public prior to Conservation Commission acceptance.]

TOWN OF WETHERSFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION
March 9, 2005

Chairman Andy Wizner called the meeting to order at 8:00 PM in the Town Hall Conference Room. The meeting was attended by Commissioners Tracy Gionfriddo, Rebecca Zaliznock, Ingrid Boelhouwer, Christoph Geiss, Ralph Moyer, Peter Gardow, and Robert Pulford. Also in attendance were Chris Shepard of the Nature Center (on behalf of Kathy Bagley of the Parks and Recreation Department), Matt Forrest of the Town Council, Rick Peruta of Winding Brook Turf Farms, and Dave Anderson of JW Anderson.

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

   The February 9, 2005 Minutes were approved, with spelling corrections (Motion by R. Moyer, Seconded by P. Gardow).

2. COMMUNICATIONS
   • Town Planning Division Legal Notices for February 22, 2005 and March 4, 2005.
   • The National Arbor Day Foundation Newsletter for January / February 2005.
   • The National Arbor Day Foundation Bulletins 4, 5, and 6.
   • CT Association of Wetland Scientists 2005 Annual Meeting announcement for February 24, 2005.
   • The Trust for Public Land newsletter and promotional brochure.
3. GUESTS

   Rick Peruta of Winding Brook Turf Farms and Dave Anderson of JW Anderson attended the meeting to present information and opinion related to the proposed plan to extend the Heritage Way trail system through the Great Meadows. Mr. Peruta and Mr. Anderson discussed issues of potential hazards to pedestrians using the proposed trail that includes the presence of unlicensed traffic, pesticide and herbicide applications to the cultivated fields, the steep embankments along portions of the proposed trail, and the hunting. Suggestions for sign placement and usage were provided as well. Mr. Peruta offered to provide a tour of the area to Commission members upon our request.

4. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
   Matt Forrest:
   • Mr. Forrest would like to invite the Director of The Connecticut Trust for Public Land, Timothy Northrop to the April 2005 Conservation Commission meeting. All Commission members agreed to have Mr. Northrop make his presentation.
   • Mr. Forrest discussed recent interest in the Rails to Trails system along rail road right of ways in the State.

   Heritage Way Update:

   A request for $1,400 for signage along the Phase II portion of Heritage Way trail was presented to the Town Council by M. Forrest. After discussion, a sub-committee comprised of I. Boelhouwer, R. Moyer, and B. Pulford will research information related to sign type and placement.

A. Wizner adjourned the meeting at 9:15 PM (Motion by I. Boelhouwer (Seconded by P. Gardow).

Respectfully submitted,

Rebecca M. Zaliznock
Commission Secretary