DURHAM, CT — The Durham Conservation Commission is preparing to accept a state forestry grant for Curtis Woodlands, with revised budget documents due Nov. 13 and several additional requirements to be completed by Dec. 4.
During a Nov. 3 special meeting, commissioners reviewed eight conditions outlined in an award letter from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, including requirements for protecting new plantings from deer and clarifying which project expenses qualify for grant funding.
The Board of Selectmen is expected to consider the grant at its Nov. 16 meeting.
Commission Chair Philip Augur reviewed the grant application and DEEP's award letter.
Augur said he had previously circulated the draft application to commission members, First Selectman Brendan Rea, Executive Assistant Jaclyn Lehet and Finance Director Beth Moncata.
Lehet subsequently provided comments on the eight requirements identified in the state's decision letter.
Commissioners discussed the proposed forestry work at Curtis Woodlands, including its scope and location within the property.
The state requires deer protection measures for new plantings, according to the award letter. Commissioners Casey Cordes and Josh Miller discussed the reasons for those measures and how they would be implemented.
The commission agreed to revise the project budget to include deer protection and other items identified by DEEP.
Augur also plans to seek clarification from the state about certain budget expenses identified as ineligible for funding.
The revised budget must be submitted by Nov. 13.
Commissioners discussed which parts of the forestry project could be handled by the commission's two certified foresters and which might require hiring an outside professional.
The commission's foresters indicated they were comfortable managing administrative and professional services, including obtaining bids.
However, commissioners discussed using an outside forester for technical fieldwork, such as marking trees and monitoring forestry practices.
Augur agreed to contact the firm that prepared Durham's Forest Management Plan for Curtis Woodlands, which served as the basis for the grant application.
He will ask about the firm's availability and the cost of providing technical services.
The commission also discussed adding a contingency allowance to the revised budget.
DEEP's award letter establishes several deadlines for the town.
By Nov. 13, Durham must confirm receipt of the award letter, indicate its intention to accept the grant and submit an updated budget.
Augur will send the confirmation to DEEP, request clarification about ineligible expenses and explain that the Board of Selectmen is scheduled to consider the grant Nov. 16.
Additional requirements must be completed by Dec. 4.
Those include verifying contact information, completing a risk assessment, submitting federal Form AD-1048, providing an authorizing resolution and furnishing a certificate of insurance.
Moncata will oversee the risk assessment, which requires the town's audited financial statements.
The Board of Selectmen is expected to consider the federal certification and authorizing resolution Nov. 16. Rea would then sign the required documents.
Moncata also will obtain the insurance certificate and determine whether the town should receive grant payments through direct deposit.
The commission unanimously approved its meeting agenda. No members of the public attended.
The meeting began at 7 p.m. and adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
This report is based on the Durham Conservation Commission's Nov. 3, 2026, special meeting minutes.
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