Bolton commission launches Master Plan study; seeks peer organizations and continuity for planning team

The Bolton Heritage Farm Commission said on March 1 that it has started a Master Plan study for Bolton Heritage Farm after a Feb. 18 special meeting led by consultant Sara Nelson of Nelson Edwards.

Sara Nelson directed the kickoff meeting, which attendees described as including First Selectman Sandra Pierog, Town Administrator Josh Kelly, consultant Patrice Carson, Building Official Jim Rupert and historic landscape architect Tom Elmore. The commission charged members with identifying eight to ten colleague organizations that operate farms or historic barns used for active and passive recreation and events to guide programming decisions and design priorities.

"As the first phase of the Master Plan, the BHFC is charged with contacting colleague organizations running similar ventures," the minutes say. Chairman Arlene Fiano said she will contact Webb Barns in Wethersfield to request a possible site visit if the organization is amenable.

Commissioners also discussed continuity for the project during an administrative transition: with Town Administrator Josh Kelly leaving in April, Arlene Fiano requested that Patrice Carson be allowed to become a permanent member of the Master Plan team to help maintain momentum.

The commission will circulate minutes of the Feb. 18 special meeting to members who did not attend; those minutes will be presented for approval at the April commission meeting. Over the next two months the BHFC will compile a short list of peer organizations to poll as part of the study.