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Conservation Commission gets Sustainable Connecticut update, moves forward on pollinator garden and bylaws review
Summary
The Conservation Commission received an update that Cromwell’s Sustainable Connecticut application is pending a new point-audit aimed at Bronze certification, heard plans for a municipal pollinator garden and a draft of revised bylaws, and asked staff for a checklist of completed certification items.
The Town of Cromwell Conservation Commission was briefed on Jan. 15 by Director of Planning and Development Andrew J. Armstrong on the town’s Sustainable Connecticut application, which Mr. Armstrong said is pending a new point-audit and expected to advance toward Bronze certification this spring. He credited Planning and Zoning Administrative Secretary Jennifer Tranquillo for keeping the town on track, saying she "has done an excellent job" in preparing required submissions.
Commission members asked for a consolidated list of completed application items; Mr. Armstrong said he would provide an updated checklist at the Commission’s next meeting. The memo handed out to members also summarized Economic Development efforts including a proposed buy-local "food trail" for restaurants and listed recent commercial openings (Middlesex Health Medical Offices; Beyoglu Turkish Market; Wagging Tails Pet Shop) and a restaurant under construction (Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen).
Commission member Patricia Jepson described ongoing outreach to state experts and organizations to help organize a town pollinator garden. The Commission discussed possible sites, including the Hoffman Hill community gardens, and which town organizations might assist with construction and maintenance. Members agreed to continue site evaluation and logistics at future meetings.
The Commission also reviewed previously proposed bylaws. Members said the bylaws remain a work in progress and provided Director Armstrong with a copy of revised language (Attachment B). The group briefly discussed restrictions that govern the town’s Open Space Fund; Mr. Armstrong said he would research the fund’s limits and report back to the Commission.
Members discussed the concept of a local Food Policy Council in the context of Sustainable Connecticut requirements and agreed the council’s principal task would be gathering data on local food security. The Commission will return to methods for collecting that data in future sessions.
The meeting packet and attachments referenced during this discussion include a Planning & Development Department memo summarizing Sustainable Connecticut status, the town’s Equity Toolkit pre-approval, economic development initiatives, and the draft bylaws provided as Attachment B.
