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Commission hears update on farmland preservation bill; Town Manager instructed assessor to revert farm assessments
Summary
Commissioners discussed a new state farmland preservation bill and Chairman Jamin DeProto reported the Town Manager directed the Town Assessor to revert assessments for 47 farms to their 2020 values. No formal action on the measure was taken by the Commission.
At the Feb. 12, 2026 special meeting, the Cromwell Conservation Commission reviewed a new state bill related to farmland preservation and heard that the town had taken a local administrative step concerning farm assessments.
Chairman Jamin DeProto informed the Commission that the Town Manager instructed the Town Assessor to revert assessment values for 47 farms to their 2020 assessment values. The directive was reported to the Commission; the Town Manager and Town Assessor did not speak directly during the meeting, and no vote on assessment values was taken by the Conservation Commission.
Commissioners discussed the state bill in general terms; the transcript records that the bill was discussed but does not provide the bill number or specific statutory language. The Commission did not record any formal motion or vote on the bill itself during this meeting.
Separately, Planning & Development staff asked for a Conservation Commission representative to serve on the Complete Streets Bid Review Committee; members said they will decide who will serve at a later date. Commissioners also agreed to reach out to the Human Services Department about a Food Policy Council memo or attendance to advise coordination with the town's existing food pantry.
The meeting concluded with thanks to new alternate member Phyllis Baecker, approval of the Jan. 15 minutes and a unanimous motion to adjourn at 7:25 p.m.
