741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Agricultural Commission

Meeting Minutes

Chairman

Bruce Garstka

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

6:00 PM

Town Hall Annex-Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Garstka called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

II.

ROLL CALL

Community-at-Large Representative Katie Yuhas

Alternate Member Steve Martic

Present

Farming Community Bruce Garstka

Farming Community Russell Holmberg

Farming Community Michael E. Marelli

Farming Community Allyson Angelini

Farming Community William Thorne

Excused

Also in attendance was Karen Parkinson, Tri-Town Trails.

Ms. Parkinson and Mr. Martic were present via Zoom.

Mr. Martic was appointed as a voting member.

CITIZENS COMMENTS

III.

Karen Parkinson said she found some State of Connecticut Agricultural Grant opportunities that

the Commission might want to consider. One of the grants is for $5,000 and the other is for

$50,000. Grant applications can be submitted for three years in a row. Ms. Parkinson sent the

grant information in an email to Chairman Garstka.

IV.

COMMENTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS

Comments of Commission Members.

None.

CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence.

None.

VI.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Informational items.

None.

VII. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE Regular Meeting Minutes from October 21, 2025, as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Bruce Garstka

RESULT:

MOVER:

Michael E. Marelli

SECONDER:

Yuhas Martic Garstka Holmberg Marelli

Angelini Thorne

AYE

EXCUSED

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

Any other Old Business to come before the Commission.

Clark Farm Property -

Chairman Garstka asked if the address number "1025" was correct, Mr. Marelli confirmed that it

was. Chairman Garstka spoke with Mayor Allyn III regarding the proper approach and agreed he

that creating a set of bullet points to recommend to the Town Council as criteria was appropriate.

Chairman Garstka said during the last Commission meeting the members agreed that haying was

the least obtrusive use of the land.

Chairman Garstka wrote a draft of criteria combining a mixture of the minutes from the last

meeting and an email from Mr. Marelli.

The Agricultural Commission is setting forth a list of criteria that may be helpful in securing a

new lessee for the 102-acre Clark Farm Property, and the 42-acre at 1087 Colonel Ledyard

Highway. The Clark Farm has prime farmland soils, and the 1087 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Property has a deed restriction attached stating that the property may be used for agricultural

purposes.

Our objectives are to keep the properties:

1. In agricultural use

2. Keep invasive plants from encroaching into the fields

3. Reduce/eliminate invasive plants

4. Maintain soil health.

To accomplish these, we recommend the following before a lease agreement is signed:

1.The land shall be used for the production of hay only.

2. Any change of crop must be approved beforehand in writing.

3. The fields must be mowed at least yearly with a mowing height of a maximum of eight inches.

4. Any crop harvested hay may be stored on site at a location chosen by the Town.

5. No harvested hay may be stored over one year and all harvested hay must be removed at lease

end.

6. All necessary insurance is to be in effect for the term of the lease.

7. A five year lease renewable term is preferable.

8. Lessee must have a proven track record.

9. Lessee must have a means to fulfill lease terms.

10. References must be provided.

As a Commission, we feel that the production of hay would have the least impact on the land

while keeping it in agricultural use for generations to come.

Chairman Garstka said the Commission may want to add something regarding fertilization and

lime.

Chairman Garstka said he doesn't want to get too in depth at this point but wants to get Land Use on

board and the for the new Town Council to start thinking about it. Mayor Allyn III said the best time

to submit the list would be in January.

Chairman Garstka said he would also like to add that the lease would free up town resources

from maintaining the fields.

Chairman Garstka said he spoke with Christina Hostetler, Town Hall Assistant who said that the

Commission should have a new Liaison appointed in December. The Commission hopes to have

more participation with the new Liaison.

Mr. Holmberg asked how the list compares to the one in Lebanon. Chairman Garstka answered

that it is similar.

It was decided to add something regarding finances. Chairman Garstka suggested "fee based on

work to be done" or "fees to be determined".

A renewable five-year lease was suggested.

Chairman Garstka said he will write another draft and ask Ms. Hostetler to forward it to the

Commissioners for review.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

IX.

NEW BUSINESS

Any other New Business to come before the Commission.

Chairman Garstka said he attended the Ledyard High School Agri-Science open house with Mr.

Marelli which was a very good informational event. It was the second year Chairman Garstka

attended. Chairman Garstka said that Mayor Allyn III owns a field which he lets the department

use to raise cows for beef that is donated to the Ledyard Food Pantry. This is their fourth year.

Perhaps hay from Clark Farm could be used by the Agri-Science department. Ms. Yuhas

suggested that someone from the Agri-Science Department attends one of the Commission's

meetings. Chairman Marelli and Chairman Garstka agreed that the students are very dedicated.

There may be opportunities within the Commission for the students to volunteer and/or attend

meetings.

DISCUSSED

RESULT:

ADJOURNMENT

Motion to ADJOURN the Regular Meeting at 6:35 p.m.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Bruce Garstka

RESULT:

MOVER:

Katie Yuhas

SECONDER:

Yuhas Martic Garstka Holmberg Marelli

Angelini Thorne

AYE

EXCUSED

DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the

Town.