Conservation asks for Pecony Farm storage/workshop options and a UTV; committee requests itemized retrofit costs

Conservation presented multiple options for Pecony Farm on Jan. 22, from low-cost storage fixes to more elaborate workshop setups that would support land management, signage work and volunteer coordination.

Trisha said the department seeks a secure place to store tools and a modest workshop to support maintenance and sign fabrication. She provided contractor scenarios ranging from prefabricated sheds on the low end to full building retrofits in the $20,000–$50,000 range; she also noted that a building near the road might need a new roof and that some barns have dirt floors that would require poured concrete to be usable. Trisha said the current land manager coordinates volunteers but that the town-provided buildings at Pecony are in variable condition.

Committee members suggested interim, lower-cost approaches: secure existing doors, rent a storage container, retrofit the building that already houses equipment (which may be closest to usable), or use an existing donated truck with a cab for storage. Members cautioned that full woodworking setups would require significant electrical upgrades and OSHA-compliant disconnects and wiring, which raises costs.

Trisha also proposed a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) at $17,000–$23,000 to transport tools and materials across properties. Members asked about storage and licensing for use on roads versus trailering and encouraged Trisha to provide a detailed estimate for one chosen building and a short-term lower-cost alternative. The committee did not take a funding vote and requested a follow-up with itemized retrofit quotes and clearer scope.