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Residents urge changes to mowing schedule at Rojan/Brodieham Park to protect nesting birds
Summary
Residents and board members pressed Hillsdale officials to revise mowing and lease language at Rojan/Brodieham Park to protect endangered grassland birds; the town said last year's weather forced a costly brush hogging and it is discussing options with state parks staff.
Public commenters and residents told the Hillsdale Town Board they want clearer protections for breeding grassland birds at Rojan (Brodieham) Park and asked the town to add specific environmental protections to the farm‑lease that funds park maintenance. Residents named bobolinks, kestrels and grasshopper sparrows among species that nest in the park and warned that midseason mowing destroys nests.
The Chair said the town manages the park under a state farm lease and that last year's record rainfall made the regular midseason mow impossible, forcing brush‑hogging that cost the town about $10,000. "It literally cost us $10,000 because we could not mow because of the rainy season," the Chair said, describing the financial strain and the town's limited options. Board members and residents urged the town to work with state parks staff (identified in discussion as Abigail) to seek longer‑term solutions, to consider rotational mowing, and to explore volunteer and conservation organization support.
Board members described a prior compromise in which the farmer forewent a midseason mow in exchange for keeping early and late season mows, and said the town is examining contract language that could add specificity about environmentally conscious mowing. Residents requested public forums and volunteer recruitment to sustain habitat protections if town resources remain constrained.
The exchange concluded with the Chair saying town conversations with state staff are ongoing and that the matter will return for follow‑up; no formal vote or ordinance was proposed at the meeting.
