Agenda
Open Space Committee - Agenda - Jul 8, 2026
Jul 8, 2026
A public record published by the Town of Simsbury (simsbury-ct.gov). mySimsbury indexes it and makes it readable; it is not the official copy. View the original file.
Town of Simsbury 933 HOPMEADOW STREET SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT 06070 Telephone (860) 658- 3200 Facsimile (860) 658- 9467 www.simsbury- ct.gov An Equal Opportunity Employer 8:30- 7:00 Mondays 8:30- 4:30 Tuesday throughThursday 8:30– 1:00Friday OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE July 8, 2026 5:00 P.M. Simsbury Town Hall Main Meeting Room Special Meeting 1. Public Audience 2. Approval of May 6, 2026 Minutes 3. Discussion on Eagle Scout Project 4. Discussion on Draft Work Plan for Simsbury Open Space 5. Invasives Update 6. Arboretum Update 7. Potential Date for Presentation to BOS 8. Other business 9. Events 10. Adjourn Simsbury Open Space (draft) Executive Summary Simsbury is blessed with beautiful land and water that benefits citizens and visitors and the full web of life. The Town is a recognized leader in open space preservation and stewardship. The long-term responsibility for the town’s land and water requires perspectives that include history, science, health, and public opinion. This document includes an overview of Simsbury Open Space, the Simsbury Open Space Committee, relevant policies and regulations, and a detailed inventory of town-owned open space. Information herein was compiled based on town records and independent experts and data sources, including UCONN, Connecticut DEEP, Simsbury Historical Society, Simsbury Land Trust, and Farmington River Watershed Association. The purpose of this document is to update and consolidate information on Simsbury Open Space and provide a detailed and comprehensive resource for the public, town staff, and town officials. Regular updates will be needed based on new information, policies or laws, and changes in individual properties or their characteristics (i.e. maintenance, flood risk, invasive species, state-listed species, etc.). A more complete review is recommended every five years. Signed, Simsbury Open Space Committee Overview Simsbury has a unique network of open space in multiple ways – a network of open space that includes multiple nationally-recognized designations, generational community support for town open space, and a continuing dedication and commitment to careful stewardship. The commitment of the community has been validated consistently in town surveys and town votes. Several major purchases were supported by citizens’ petitions. The Simsbury Land Trust is a regional leader and celebrated 50 years in 2026. ADD BRIEF LIST OF NATIONAL DESIGNATIONS WITH LINKS Open Space Committee Mission (done) Charter and Code (done for now, minor updates to be discussed at some point TBD) Rules of Procedure (done) Acquisition Policy (done) Disposition Data Form (done) Policies and ordinances: Native Plant Policy (zoning? Margery update) Ecological Mowing Policies (Margery update) Farm Lease Policy (done) Natural Area Stewardship Policy (done, minor edit needed) Wildlife Feeding Ordinance (done) Dogs at Recreational Facilities, Athletic Fields, and Trails Ordinance (done) Dark Skies Regulation (done) Simsbury Town Code: Chapter 115: Offenses on Public Property Article I: Parks, Playgrounds and Other Town Property (add details?) Upcoming / to be discussed: Traprock ridge enabling legislation (zoning) Tree ordinance (zoning) Water/Aquifer protection (zoning) Other? (check POCD) Strategic Plan for Invasive Remediation (species, locations) Ecological Inventory (focus areas) Simsbury Stewards – Citizen Science Farmland Overlay Acquisition Opportunities and Priorities Tax Foreclosure Process Simsbury Land Trust Farmington River Watershed Association Simsbury Open Space Code Update - [pending formatting issues]: H History I Invasives (specify as possible) WS wild and scenic river NT notable tree(s) FP floodplain/flood risk TR traprock OG old-growth F farmland - or resolve with AL for agriculture lease / AP prime farmland? WWC resolve re: wetlands and watercourses categories S consider S for science (Hemlocks, Chestnuts, Natural Area Stewardship/Wildlands) ? headwaters, any other special things? General Readability - Flag as necessary Punch list to include: Remove anything miscoded as Open Space (remove) Add anything new, miscoded, missing, i.e. says "Open Space" on the Town map. (see example below)