#MIDDLEBURY
By TERRENCE S. MCAULIFFE
The Middlebury Land Preservation and Open Space Acquisition Committee (LPOS) on Wednesday, June 1, did not hold an official meeting, but did update the status of outstanding items without taking any votes. Chairman Ray Pietrorazio told the four attending commissioners a meeting notice was not posted with the required 24-hour notice because of computer problems.
Pietrorazio said a meeting with Public Works Director Dan Norton and First Selectman Ed St. John would take place Tuesday, June 7, to select a winner from the bids submitted for the Fenn Farm cow barn re-roofing project with assurances from St. John things would move quickly in advance of July and August hot weather. That work includes the large, historic cow barn passersby see as they’re traveling north on Middlebury Road as well as the much smaller corn crib and wagon shed that sit farther back on the property. The capital maintenance account, originally $200,000 and now down to $140,000, will provide funds for the project.
There was no progress on the siding status of the Fenn Farm farmhouse. Pietrorazio said consultants from both Benjamin Moore and Sherman Williams had recommended against painting the building because of linseed oil adhesion issues, leaving the more expensive options of vinyl siding or new clapboards. Member Malcolm Todt recommended the creation of a Gantt chart to track the decisions and work dependencies required for that project.
In the matter of a license agreement between the town and the Middlebury Cemetery Association (MCA) for an easement over Fenn Farm land, Pietrorazio said he had been told by town attorney Dana D’Angelo that William Dwyer had been appointed by the MCA to meet with town officials to work out an agreement.
On the formation of a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Pietrorazio said he had approached the Middlebury Land Trust (MLT) to help with initial legal costs, which he estimated at $700 to $800, but was told the members voted not to approve. He said he would give them a little more time to think about it since fundraising would likely be a joint effort.
Member John Cookson asked about responsibility for a diseased ash tree at Fenn Farm and was told by Pietrorazio it would be handled by an existing MLT account.
Pietrorazio confirmed Saturday, Oct. 1, for the annual tour, telling members he was arranging for small animals such as sheep and goats to be brought there for viewing by children.
While showing plans for a large sign reading “Brookdale Farm” to be placed at the intersection of Charcoal Avenue and Artillery Road, Pietrorazio said, “This sign has been long coming. It should have been done long ago.”
Brookdale Farm is the original name for what is now locally called Fenn Farm. Pietrorazio said the sign would carry the phrase “Partners in Preservation” above the title and sponsorship attribution to the Town of Middlebury and MLT underneath. A smaller board hanging from the sign would announce the date of the annual tour. The installed price of the sign is estimated at $1,400 to $1,800.
The next regular LPOS meeting will be Wednesday July 6, at 6 p.m. at Shepardson Community Center according to the town website.
