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Darien creates Advisory Conservation Committee and names Bill Cavers chair
Summary
At a May 28 special meeting, Darien officials formed an Advisory Conservation Committee to coordinate local conservation efforts, unanimously nominating Bill Cavers as chair and outlining a 6'12 month workplan focused on interviews, a natural resource inventory and short-term "quick wins."
Darien officials met May 28 to organize a newly formed Advisory Conservation Committee and set an initial workplan. First Selectman John Zagrodzky opened the special meeting at 3:05 PM and described the committee's purpose, reporting structure and objectives.
The members nominated Bill Cavers as chair; the motion passed with all participants recorded as in favor, and the committee agreed to defer nominations for vice chair and secretary to a later meeting. The minutes do not record a mover or seconder for the nomination.
Committee members discussed how the new panel will fit into the town's existing environmental framework. The minutes note that Darien has not had an active independent conservation commission and that the Environmental Protection Commission currently handles many development-related regulatory matters. Members flagged overlaps among town boards and emphasized the need to clarify roles and coordinate with other bodies.
The committee outlined an initial timeline and scope: a 6 to 12'month window for its work, meetings every two weeks (preferably in person), interviews with town departments and other municipalities, and outreach to local nature groups and residents. Members said they will follow the mission and mandate passed by the Board of Selectmen and will look for achievable short-term recommendations, including reviewing accumulated easements and producing a natural resource inventory.
Meeting organizers also reminded members that the committee must follow Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requirements and best practices for town bodies. The minutes note that public comment was permitted and that members of the public were present, but no public-comment content is recorded in the minutes.
The committee will set a regular meeting schedule at the next session. The special meeting adjourned at 3:54 PM.
