741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Agricultural Commission

Meeting Minutes

Chairman

Bruce Garstka

Regular/Joint Meeting

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

6:00 PM

Town Hall Annex-Hybrid Format

CALL TO ORDER

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

II.

ROLL CALL

Farming Community Allyson Angelini

Community-at-Large Representative Katie Yuhas

Alternate Member Steve Martic

Present

Farming Community Bruce Garstka

Farming Community Michael E. Marelli

Farming Community William Thorne

Absent

Late

Farming Community Russell Holmberg

Also in attendance:

Ty Lamb, representing the Board of Education and the Ledyard Historic District Commission.

Beth Ribe, representing the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission and The Planning and

Zoning Commission.

Karen Parkinson representing the Tri-town Trail.

Mr. Martic was appointed as a Voting member.

III.

JOINT DISCUSSION WITH MEMBERS OF VARIOUS COMMISSIONS,

COMMITTEES AND BOARDS THROUGHOUT THE TOWN OF LEDYARD

Agricultural Commission Joint Work Session.

Chairman Garstka gave an overview of farmers and the goal of the Agricultural Commission

which is to keep farmland from development. He shared how important local food is to our

Town.

Chairman Garstka also discussed the lease at Clark Farm which is ending next year. There is a

40-acre parcel near Preston Park that should also be utilized for agriculture. He shared that the

Agricultural Commission is an advisory Commission and makes recommendations to the Town

Council.

Chairman Garstka said that one of the interests among equestrian farms in Town was to have

accessory dwelling units for farm workers, which were accomplished for farms of a certain size.

Discussion was had about creating additional marketing opportunities for local farmers at

Village Market or at the Town's Farmers’ Market.

Discussion was had about community gardens and utilizing grant funding for projects related to

agriculture at the Nathan Lester House property.

Ms. Parkinson suggested the Commission contributes to the America 250 project by sharing the

history of farms back in 1776. She also suggested broadening the reach of the Commission.

IV.

CITIZENS COMMENTS

None present.

COMMENTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS

Comments of Commission Members.

Mr. Holmberg reported that an outside consultant is seeking feedback on the Route 12

development project. The consultant did a GPS study comparing the Job Lot parking lot to the

Holmberg Orchards parking lot and the orchard was creating more impact.

VI.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Informational items.

None.

VII. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to APPROVE Regular Meeting Minutes from March 18, 2025, as written.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Michael E. Marelli

RESULT:

MOVER:

Katie Yuhas

SECONDER:

Angelini Yuhas Martic Garstka Marelli

Thorne

AYE

ABSENT

VIII. CORESPONDANCE

Correspondence.

None.

IX.

OLD BUSINESS

Any other Old Business to come before the Commission.

NEW BUSINESS

Any other New Business to come before the Commission.

Chairman Garstka is still visiting farms around Town. He visited a new stable on Pumpkin Hill

Road and reported that it is doing well.

XI.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion to ADJOURN the Regular/Joint Meeting at 7:23 p.m.