In a recent meeting of the Torrington Conservation Commission, Chair Christine Altman raised significant concerns regarding the Parks and Recreation Commission's handling of a food forest initiative that has been in development for over 15 years. Altman highlighted procedural violations, specifically noting that a recent meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was not properly filed or posted, which she argued contravened the Open Meeting Act.

Altman expressed distress over what she described as a punitive response from the Parks and Recreation Commission towards the Conservation Commission and its community partners, particularly in light of the extensive planning and grant funding already allocated for the project. She emphasized that the project had received the necessary approvals from the Department of Public Works and was supported by various city officials, including the tree warden.

During her address, Altman contested the Parks and Recreation Commission's claims regarding an unwritten policy against food-producing vegetation in municipal parks, pointing out contradictions in their statements. She urged the city council and mayor to support the continuation of the planting event, asserting that the initiative would benefit the community and enhance local green spaces.

The meeting also featured public support for the project, with residents Barbara Trujillo and Ivy Altman voicing their approval for the tree planting at Bannon Street Park. The discussion underscored a broader community interest in enhancing local parks and fostering environmental initiatives.

As the meeting progressed, the commission acknowledged the public comments and indicated that further discussions on the matter would take place later in the agenda. The outcome of this dispute remains to be seen, as stakeholders await a resolution that could impact the future of the food forest initiative in Torrington.