New owners of Bissell Brook Farm outline restoration, invasive‑species cleanup and farm plans

Peter Spano and his wife Angie, new owners of the 45‑Hoskins‑Road property the owners call Bissell Brook Farm, told the Simsbury Conservation Commission that they are preparing a long-term ecological restoration and stewardship plan and asked the commission for guidance on invasive-plant removal and debris cleanup inside the 100‑foot buffer.

Spano said they have conducted a survey, have stayed out of the 100‑foot buffer to date and uncovered “two dumpsters worth” of historic debris and farming remnants in upland areas. He described dense stands of invasive species — multiflora rose and Japanese barberry among others — and asked whether removal is permitted. A staff presenter said invasive plant removal is allowed and recommended identification tools (Simsbury Land Trust materials, iNaturalist). For large infestations the staff described a targeted cut‑and‑paint method (cut a stem and immediately paint a short‑lived herbicide into the stump) to kill plants without widespread excavation that would destabilize banks.

On in‑stream debris, staff advised that woody debris can benefit habitat and slow flows; in many cases removing old concrete fragments is unnecessary and removing some large items could do more harm than good if excavation would disturb sediments. For buried trash or drums in the wetland, staff said those situations require careful handling and suggested working from flagged upland access points to keep machinery out of regulated areas whenever possible.

Spano described plans for a farm stand and other small-scale enterprises (including trial specialty mushroom cultivation) and said due diligence included soil testing. Staff confirmed soils testing had been performed during purchase due‑diligence and that any routine debris removal that does not add or remove soil or change elevations is generally not a regulated activity; however, withdrawing water from the stream would require a diversion permit from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

Commissioners and staff offered to provide lists of recommended native plants, best‑management practices for streamside restoration, and an outline for phased invasive‑species control that minimizes wetland disturbance. Spano agreed to remain in contact and to submit updates as they refine a multi‑year stewardship plan.

Next steps noted by the commission included staff-provided plant lists and BMP materials, and continued consultation before any machinery is brought into the 100‑foot buffer.