PROSPECT LAND TRUST, P.O. Box 7375, Prospect, CT 06712
2001 ANNUAL REPORT
One of the most
important events of the year was the writing of the Town Comprehensive
Plan of Development and Conservation. Several PLT members had attended the
initial hearings of the Planning
and Zoning Commission in 2000 and had participated in the July 18, 2001
meeting to review the Plan. The final draft of the Plan was available for
examination at the March 2002 PLT meeting. Preliminary
inspection has revealed real progress in the concern for open space and
protection of woodlands, aquifers, wetlands and watercourses.
A second important event of the year was the work of the Land Use and
Regional Water Authority study committee. PLT members Terry Meisel, Joel
Meisel and Ann Stein served on the committee and presented regular reports
on progress to the PLT Board. Six PLT members were present at the first
meeting on Jan. 24r 2001, and gave their input. The committee is awaiting
the Regional Water Authority survey and appraisal.
The annual hike of the PLT was held on Sunday, Oct. 21 on land of the RWA
and of the PLT between Matthew Street and Cheshire Road, with 30 people
participating and Joel Meisel serving as guide/naturalist. One of the
advantages this year was the opportunity to park in the lot of the
recreational field off Matthew St.
At the 2001 annual PLT meeting Joel Meisel presented a program with his
slides of "The Nature of Prospect." The PLT voted to amend the By Laws in
Dec. 2001 to change the annual meeting from Feb. to April.
The PLT was represented at the Annual Convocations of the Land Trust
Service Bureau, to which dues are sent each year. Also, the PLT decided to
send a representative to the Quinnipiac River Watershed
Partnership. Joan Altmann attended the dedication of the Platt Farm
conservation land in Southbury. A website was designed by Lisa San Soucie,
and Ann Stein took the leadership in making PLT sweatshirts
available. A new book was contributed to the new Woodland High School of
Region 16. Florence Bakutis was made a Life Member in appreciation of the
donation of land. The Iamkis property of 2 acres was offered to the PLT
off Laurel Lane, but it was voted to refer the property to the
Conservation Commission.
The year ended with two issues unresolved. One was insurance coverage
since the Town would no longer carry PLT land in its policy. The other
issue was the misplacement of PLT signs on land bordering the
Holley Lane development. Residents from that development attended the
March 28, 2002 meeting, and PLT members hiked the property on April 6.
Monitors were appointed for each of the PLT properties: Matthew St.-
Barney Kathan; Raudis property - Joel Meisel; Luke St. - Marion Jennings;
College Farms property - John Dyckman. Officers for the
year were: President - Terry Meisel; Vice President - Phil Reed; Secretary
- Barney Kathan; and Treasurer - Marion Jennings.
1999 A
NNUAL REPORT1999 ended on a happy note for the Prospect Land Trust with many members enjoying
a potluck dinner in the historic Hotchkiss House. Last year was a successful and busy year. Members of the Land Trust attended the Annual Convocation of the State Land Trust Service Bureau and became more informed on issues concerning open space preservation. We were also represented at an all-day workshop at Naugatuck Valley Community College, which was sponsored by the Waterbury Foundation, an evening meeting at UConn-Waterbury on "Making the Most of Connecticut's Open Space Matching Grant Program," and a workshop at Nonnewaug High School on Landowners' Options sponsored by the Land Preservation Alliance.All of this information will be invaluable as the Land Trust acquired an additional 17.3 acres of land East of Matthew Street, which will remain open space for our community to enjoy in the future. In October our annual Fall Hike on this parcel and adjoining land of the So. Conn. Regional Water Authority provided beautiful foliage: as well as good company. Dr. Joel Meisel of So. Conn. State University served again as our guide and naturalist and Peter Thiel showed us the remains of a water-powered mill on the West Brook near Matthew Street. With a donation of 5 acres on the College Farms development off Straitsville Road and additional acreage from the Raudis property off Clark Hill Road, the Land Trust now has over 70 acres under ownership.
Earlier in the year we supported Bill Donovan's proposal to amend subdivision rules and regulations to establish a "fee" which would be set aside for the Town to purchase larger parcels of land for open space. We also worked to support the Town Council and Mayor's proposal to include $30,000 as a line item in the Town budget each year which would be set aside for the acquisition of more open space in Prospect. Recently, the Fund for the Environment identified 187 acres of water company land in Prospect at risk of being sold off as surplus land. The CFE said: "The sale and development of Connecticut's endangered lands looms as a major threat to our environment, our quality of life, and the character of our community." The Land Trust is happy that our Town is beginning to make necessary preparations to purchase and preserve open space.
We were saddened by the death this past year of our former President, Donna Michelini, and a Life Member, Bob Capanna, who was co-donor of our first piece of land. Eloney has been given to the Land Trust in their memory, and their families have been notified.
