Committee recommends naming Rocky Hill Community Farm barn for former mayor Joe Kohanick

The Memorial Naming Committee recommended that the barn at Rocky Hill Community Farm be named the "Joe Kohanick Memorial Barn" and referred the nomination to the mayor and town council for consideration under chapter 36, article 1 of the town code.

Rocky Hill Fire Chief Mike Gary Heath spoke in support, recounting his personal and professional relationship with Kohanick and praising his decades of service in the fire department and later in municipal office. "Joe always gave a 150% to whatever he did," Heath said, and described Kohanick as a mentor who "left fingerprints" on many town institutions.

A committee member recited biographical details included in the transcript (birth date given as 07/02/1944 and a death date referenced inconsistently as 11/05/2009/2020 in the record) and summarized Kohanick's civic roles: long service in the fire department (37 years), later election to town council, deputy mayor and mayor, and leadership on farmland preservation that helped secure what is now the Rocky Hill Community Farm. The committee member said Kohanick negotiated with farmer Tony Straska to reach the purchase that created the community farm.

Several speakers added personal recollections and voiced support. One resident noted a tractor on the property that belonged to Kohanick and said a plaque was being made for it.

A committee member moved to recommend naming the barn the "Joe Kohanick Memorial Barn" and to refer the nomination to the mayor for council consideration; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The committee's action is a recommendation and the town council must approve any final naming.

Next steps: the mayor will receive the recommendation and the town council will consider a formal vote under the town code.