Dashed lines outline the buildings on Fenn Farm that are to be reroofed this year. (Submitted photo)
#MIDDLEBURY
By TERRENCE S. MCAULIFFE
The Middlebury Land Preservation and Open Space Acquisition Committee (LPOS) at its March 2 meeting updated members on the status of Fenn Farm projects. Chairman Ray Pietrorazio told members the bid notice for replacing the Fenn Farm barn roof has been posted on the town website and on the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services bidding site. The deadline for submitting bids is March 22, 2016.
Member John Cookson said 10 bids were received for a previous farmhouse roofing project, but he expected fewer bids on the barn because it requires a high-performance bond. The 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.
Pietrorazio said the specifications highly detailed the materials to be used, including stainless steel nails, and samples of all materials are to be provided and pre-approved before use. A member of the Public Works Department will be onsite for all construction, and, after commencing, the work must continue without interruption until it is done. The capital maintenance account, originally $200,000 and now down to $140,000, will provide funds for the project.
Pietrorazio told members he wanted to investigate forming a 501(3)(c) nonprofit to raise funds for replenishing the maintenance account. Cookson said he thought this might have been done when Tom Gormley was first selectman and agreed to investigate.
Member Kris Jacobi said lifetime farm resident Robert Fenn asked her if money held from tree preservation funds could be used for a large ash tree on Charcoal Avenue. Removal of the diseased tree, which is now thought to be dead, was discussed in November. At that time, Cookson said the tree was treated two years ago. Jacobi said a preventative treatment might cost as much as $800. After some discussion, Jacobi agreed to contact an arborist to see if further treatment was worthwhile.
In other matters, Pietrorazio said he spoke with town attorney Dana D’Angelo, who was to meet with First Selectman Ed St. John to discuss resolution of a proposed Revocable License Agreement between the town and the Middlebury Cemetery Association (MCA). That agreement would allow gravesite preparation and burial vehicles to travel over a 15-foot strip of Fenn farm property. It has remained unresolved since August because of disagreement about the role of Fenn in the license agreement, which the MCA wanted solely between themselves and the town. Pietrorazio reminded members this had nothing to do with LPOS, and he provided the status only as a courtesy to members.
The next regular LPOS meeting will be Wednesday, April 6, 2016, at 6 p.m. at Shepardson Community Center.
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