By Bruce Bowman
Glastonbury residents are fortunate to have land owned by the town that has been purchased to help preserve our open space and natural environment. Two properties that are currently being evaluated are the J.B. Williams Park and the “former MDC property.” The Town has partnered with GZA (a nationally recognized consultancy, practicing in the areas of geotechnical, environmental, water, ecology, and construction management). GZA will develop long-term management plans for both properties. Environmental assessment has been under way for several months and the Town is now presenting residents with an opportunity via a survey, to voice what environmental protection in the way of land management they desire and what recreational uses they would like to have for these properties. Residents can take advantage of the open comment boxes in the survey.
Survey data, along with the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) will ultimately help shape the creation of an Open Space Management (OSM) Plan, a tool that will identify actions aimed to protect and restore ecological functions, address negative impact of habitat fragmentation, and enhance the quality of life in Glastonbury through passive recreational opportunities.1
Community members ages 18 years and older are invited and encouraged to contribute survey feedback beginning on Thursday, July 13 and through Sunday, August 13. The survey can be accessed online by visiting www.glastonburyct.gov/OSM or by scanning the QR code. Residents who do not have internet access are welcome to complete a paper copy of the survey by visiting the Riverfront Community Center or Welles-Turner Memorial Library during regular operating hours.1
Residents can help guide what happens with this property! Please fill out the survey!
At one time, shortly after the purchase of the former MDC property, there was a proposal to perform a timber harvest on the property without an environmental sustainability plan for ‘management‘ of the property with appropriate stewardship and passive recreation in mind. The plan was to cash out whatever monetary value may be held in the timber of the forested MDC property. The Environment Team of TALK, (Truth in Action with Love and Kindness) spear headed resident opposition to this plan which did not include the creation of some sort of environmental impact evaluation. Residents expressed a desire at Town Council meetings and Conservation Commission meetings for a more sustainable approach to protecting this large unique forested area. An example of such a plan can now be found in the Best Practice for Natural Area Stewardship resolution enacted by Simsbury. This plan of Natural Area Stewardship which can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/Simsbury-Sustainability.2 Is it time for Glastonbury’s ownpolicy on sustainability to include a Climate Crisis Resolution?
We are at a time of climate crisis! Glastonbury farmers would certainly agree with this view considering the extensive Connecticut River flooding that is impacting their farms and livelihood. Earlier this year we had extreme air quality alerts because of fires in Canada. This is a result of climate change brought on by human activity. We need to enact changes in how we live and what we do in this world. This is shaping up to be one of the hottest years on record.3 At the center of this is the excess burning and utilization of fossil fuels. We need to minimize the excessive use of fossil fuels in our daily lives and ownership of things that are derived from fossil fuels, otherwise we will continue to contribute to further climate change.
One decision we can decide on in town is to not consider any more artificial turf fields. Each artificial turf field is made from 40,000 pounds of polyethylene plastic derived from fossil fuels. These contain a multitude of chemicals including PFAS and other endocrine disrupting chemicals that our children are very susceptible to. These fields are not sustainable, have a short span of utility and are expensive and are not necessary. These fields break down into further plastic pollution of macro, micro and nanoparticles which enter our bodies and everything else around us. Babies are now born with nanoplastics in their bodies. Please let the Board of Education know your concerns on this issue.
At this time of climate crisis, the Town, Town Council and all Boards and Commissions should have a primacy of focus on climate change and what we can do to mitigate our impact. We must be careful that our desire for an aesthetically appearing town does not excessively hinder efforts at sustainability. It is a stark reality that more solar and wind power generation is needed. We have solar panels all around town, and I for one smile and see it as a favorable aesthetic to see solar panels in as many places as possible. It may be reasonable to object to the aesthetics of building structures that are not environmentally sustainable!
Please take advantage of the survey and let the town know how you would like to have your open spaces protected and utilized.
- https://www.glastonburyct.gov/Home/Components/News/News/7971/25
- https://www.simsbury-ct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif9751/f/uploads/natural_area_stewardship_policy_final.pdf
- Global heat in ‘uncharted territory’ as scientists warn 2023 could be the hottest year on record. https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/08/world/extreme-global-temperature-heat-records-climate/index.html