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Commission approves bills, hears updates on trails, goat grazing and pending watershed grants
Summary
The commission approved payment of two invoices, heard reports on trail maintenance and an 8‑Mile grant‑funded goat grazing project, and received updates on the Long Island Sound and DEEP Suckerbrook grant efforts.
The East Haddam Conservation Commission approved payment of two invoices and heard a series of operational updates on trails, invasive‑species control, land swaps and pending grant work at its regular meeting.
Financial approvals: Members approved two reimbursements and bills: approximately $5,444 for kiosk plywood and screws and $5,875 to reimburse the land trust for map printing. A motion to pay the bills was moved, seconded and approved with no recorded opposition.
Trails and maintenance: Stewardship volunteers reported multiple trail maintenance actions — fallen trees cleared on several preserves, repair and installation of kiosks, and work on trail marking. Members flagged a long‑standing illegal dump on the Goodwin Trail at Boot Rock that will need removal.
Goat grazing project: The commission received an update on an 8‑Mile grant that placed goats on the Heirs preserve to reduce invasive leaf cover. Members reported about 25 goats initially and about a dozen added recently. The goats defoliate leaves (not woody stems); the plan is a second grazing pass in August–September followed by targeted mechanical cutting and native replanting under a later grant.
Grants and watershed work: Members were briefed that the town did not receive a Long Island Sound planning‑support award but was encouraged to reapply in the December–January window after simplifying the application and tying it to an existing project. The commission also noted a pending DEEP design grant (reported in discussion as roughly $650,000) for Suckerbrook culvert and road work that would affect how future resilience applications are framed.
Other business: The open space committee anticipates executive session discussion of two properties being considered for acquisition; members also discussed outreach items, including a 300‑word Events magazine piece on trail work and a proposed binder of short management plans for town properties.
The commission set the next meeting for July 7 in the same room and adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
