Sharon Conservation Commission moves to partner with Sharon Land Trust on easement monitoring and invasive-species pilot

The Sharon Conservation Commission on Jan. 21, 2026 approved its December 2025 minutes and advanced plans to work with the Sharon Land Trust to monitor and maintain town easements and trails. The panel also discussed a demonstration project to remove invasive plants that members hope will support a Connecticut trails grant application for the 2026 funding cycle.

Chair Bethany Sheffer said she met with Carolyn Klocker of the Sharon Land Trust and reported that the land trust is willing to help train potential commission volunteers to monitor easements and maintain trails. She said she had reached out to Tim Hunter to follow up on next steps. Commission member Edmund Mander praised Tom Zetterstrom’s prior work with the Sharon Land Trust, citing a past project at Hamlin Preserve that removed oriental bittersweet vines from trees.

The commission discussed making the demonstration invasive-removal project a visible pilot to strengthen a grant application to the Connecticut trails program in 2026. Members noted the need for a clear project scope, volunteer training, and coordination with land-trust partners before seeking outside funding.

On routine business, the commission unanimously approved the December 2025 meeting minutes on a motion by Carl Chaiet, seconded by Cicily Hajek. The group agreed that Peter O'Flinn will prepare a draft of a refreshed mission statement that incorporates priorities discussed by the commission and circulate it to Chair Sheffer for review ahead of the February meeting.

The commission adjourned at 7:45 p.m. The minutes record a next meeting time of 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 18; the transcript lists the year as 2025, which appears to be a clerical error—the intended date is Feb. 18, 2026—at Sharon Town Hall.