removed at end of the lease.
6. All necessary insurance is to be in effect for the term of the lease.
7. A five-year renewable lease is preferred.
8. Lessee must have a proven track record.
9. Lessee must have a means to fulfill lease terms.
10. References must be provided.
11. Fields shall be limed, fertilized, and sprayed for weeds using approved agricultural
methods and standards.
12. The fee is to be determined.
Councilor Lamb noted that he believed that the LUPPW Committee agreed with the
Agricultural Commissin’s suggestion. He questioned how they incorporated these
provisions into the Clark Farm Lease and the Request for Proposal Process.
Councilor Buhle expressed concern regarding Item #1 noting that it was too restrictive
for others who may want to farm a different type crop. She suggested Item #1 read as
follows: “The land shall be used for Agricultural production. The Crop must be
approved before hand in writing”.
Land Use Director/Town Planner Elizabeth Burdick noted that former the Norwich
State Hospital Property had Deed Restrictions. She stated that the Property could only be
used for Agricultural Proposes, noting that she has not read the Deed in sometime; and
therefore, she suggested if they were looking to lease the Norwich State Hospital that
they review the Deed.
Councilor Thompson stated the reason they were looking to grow hay on the Clark
Farm Property was because it was non-invasive, good for the soil, and had a minimum
impact. Agricultural Commission Chairman Bruce Gartska stated the hey was low
impact to the ground. Therefore, he stated that they would have to be careful if they used
the property for crops that required them to plow the land. He stated the Agricultural
Commission’s goal was to keep the Clark Farm from going fallow and letting the
invasive species take over. He also stated that hay was a product that could easily be
sold. He stated in the past the Clark Farm was used to grow corn and pumpkins. He
stated that growing hay was very low impact and reduced the liability for the town.
Councilor Buhle asked Administrative Assistant Roxanne Maher whether the LUPPW
Committee would be amending the Clark Farm Lease. Ms. Maher explained that the
LUPPW Committee could draft a boiler plate Lease using the current Clark Farm lease
as a starting point and incorporate the criteria that the Agricultural Commission has
suggested. She stated once they had a draft Lease that they could forward it to the Town
Council for their approval in preparation for soliciting Request for Proposals (RFP). She
note that the current Lessee Mr. Majcher’s Lease would be ending in March, 2026, and
that he was not interesting in continuing to lease the Clark Farm. She stated that the
Mayor’s Office would be responsible for advertising/soliciting Requests for Proposals to
lease the Clark Farm Property. She also explained that to lease town-owned land that a
Public Hearing and Special Town Meeting would be required:
· Connecticut State Statutes Sec. 7-163e.
Public hearing on the sale, lease or transfer of real property owned
by a municipality. (a) The legislative body of a municipality, or in any
municipality where the legislative body is a town meeting or
representative town meeting, the board of selectmen, shall conduct a
public hearing on the sale, lease or transfer of real property owned
by the municipality prior to final approval of such sale, lease or
transfer.”