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Bolton Heritage Farm Commission elects officers, plans public trail walk, and reviews manure-pit remediation
Summary
At its July 8 meeting the Bolton Heritage Farm Commission elected officers, accepted minutes with two abstentions, reviewed maintenance and a beam-replacement purchase order, learned a Digging for History grant is nearing submission, planned a LOTCIP public walkabout for proposed trail routes, and was told the town will fill the manure pit.
Chairman Arlene Fiano called the Bolton Heritage Farm Commission to order at 7:07 p.m. on July 8, 2024, with members Arlene Fiano, Cara Wraight, Leslie Shea, Bonnie Massey, Ann Maulucci and Kevin Drake present; Building and Grounds Supervisor John Butrymovich also attended.
At the start of the meeting, Chairman Arlene Fiano moved to nominate Commission member Cara Wraight as treasurer; Leslie Shea seconded the motion and the commission recorded the action as carried. Leslie Shea then moved to nominate Arlene Fiano as chairman, with Cara Wraight seconding; that nomination also carried.
The commission approved the minutes of its May 6, 2024 meeting after a motion from Chairman Fiano and a second from Ann Maulucci. Leslie Shea and Cara Wraight abstained from that vote; the minutes were accepted with those abstentions noted.
Building and Grounds Supervisor John Butrymovich reported routine maintenance work: his crew mowed cross-country trails and removed fallen trees. Commission member Leslie Shea said she painted two sides of the barn in the past month.
Commission member Cara Wraight reported fundraising results for the Rosie Fund, saying the Pennies for Preservation program raised $15.81 and brought the fund balance to $6,785.80.
On program and grant work, the minutes record that Rhea Klein spoke with Sara Sportman, the author of a published article about the Digging into History event. Klein is reported to be two-thirds finished with a grant application for a climate-controlled display case and is targeting the end of July for formal submission.
The purchase order for a house carrying-beam replacement has been signed, the commission heard, and the work is awaiting scheduling by Country Carpenters.
The commission also confirmed that Rhea Klein will host summer yoga at the farm on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. through August; donations from the public were encouraged.
On long-range projects, Chairman Arlene Fiano said she had spoken with town leadership (Gwen Marion, Rodney Fornier and Jim Rupert) about LOTCIP trail design. Town staff were not aware the commission had previously conducted studies recommending a path intended to showcase the farm and surrounding views. The commission agreed a public informational walk to present two proposed paths and take questions would be beneficial and discussed tentative dates in early September or October, noting this is a state-sponsored LOTCIP project.
The wayfinding-signage project coordinated with the National Park Service is on hold, the commission was told, because the Connecticut Department of Transportation is awaiting feedback from neighboring Andover and has not received a response from Johnny Carrawon.
Remediation quotes for the farm’s manure pit were reported as received, and the minutes state that the Town has agreed to fill the pit; the Town asked Chairman Fiano and Mr. Butrymovich to provide a more detailed presentation of what was proposed.
Leslie Shea raised questions about garden memorials, prompting a discussion of the Bolton Heritage Farm Memorial Master Plan; Chairman Fiano asked Shea to review the plan and propose updates.
Chairman Fiano moved to adjourn; Leslie Shea seconded and the meeting ended at 8:06 p.m.
Votes at a glance: the commission recorded the nomination of Cara Wraight as treasurer (motion: Arlene Fiano; second: Leslie Shea; outcome: approved), the nomination of Arlene Fiano as chairman (motion: Leslie Shea; second: Cara Wraight; outcome: approved), approval of the May 6 minutes (motion: Arlene Fiano; second: Ann Maulucci; outcome: approved; abstentions: Leslie Shea, Cara Wraight), and adjournment (motion: Arlene Fiano; second: Leslie Shea; outcome: approved).
Next steps recorded in the minutes include Rhea Klein’s targeted grant submission at the end of July, the commission’s planning for a LOTCIP public walk in September or October to present proposed trail routes, and a request from the Town that Chairman Fiano and John Butrymovich provide a more specific presentation about manure-pit remediation plans.
