Politics & Government
Ridgefield Conservation Commission Reviews Rodenticide Ban, Forestry Grant And Bird Conser
Ridgefield Conservation Commission reviewed rodenticide policy, bird conservation and a forestry grant on July 6.
RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Ridgefield Conservation Commission discussed expanding its effort to restrict rodenticide use on town property, reviewed a potential forestry grant for Florida Refuge and received an update on bird conservation work at McKeon Farm during its July 6 meeting.
Chairman Erik Keller called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Commissioners unanimously approved the minutes of the June 8 meeting before turning to several conservation initiatives.
The commission received an update on its effort to document rodenticide use on town-owned property. Commissioners said individual departments manage their own pest control programs and that obtaining information about current practices has been challenging. Keller said he will develop a standardized survey for town departments, while Commissioner Tommy McCarthy will gather educational materials for a new section of the commission's website explaining rodenticide issues.
Commissioners also finalized plans for a series of public presentations at the Ridgefield Library this fall. Keller will present a program on eco-friendly landscaping Sept. 10, Commissioner Allan Welby will discuss birds Oct. 8, Commissioner Pete Nichols will speak about McKeon Farm on Nov. 12, and Keller and Commissioner Anthony Markert will present findings from the forestry management study of Pine Mountain, Hemlock Hills and Lake Windwing on Dec. 3.
Welby presented a report on bird populations at McKeon Farm, highlighting continued growth in several species since bird nesting boxes were installed in 2020. He said the property has produced 152 fledgling eastern bluebirds and more than 300 fledgling tree swallows during that period. Purple martin populations have also continued to expand since housing was installed in 2021. This year, 67 of 72 nesting gourds were occupied, containing 341 eggs and hatchlings. Since the program began, the colony has fledged 898 purple martins, with roughly one-third banded for research and tracking.
The commission reported that spending from both its discretionary budget and Open Space Fund finished the 2025-26 fiscal year on target. Commissioners later entered executive session to discuss a potential land acquisition before returning to public session without taking action.
Under new business, commissioners debated whether to pursue a forestry grant for Florida Refuge. Markert expressed concerns about the long-term maintenance requirements, including invasive plant removal, deer fencing and labor demands that could extend five to 10 years. Commissioner Roberta Barbieri supported advancing the proposal and offered to obtain labor estimates from contractors. The commission agreed to continue developing the application before reconsidering it at a future meeting.
During the chairman's remarks, commissioners approved a resident's request to use the Wittman Preserve parking lot and a mowed pathway for an Aug. 22 private event. Keller also reported that the Tree Warden will remove trees damaged by beavers near 12 Mulberry, reminded commissioners about a July 30 University of Connecticut Extension workshop on invasive plant management, and said letters had been sent to local real estate agents and attorneys advising them that the commission is monitoring property transfers for potential open space violations. He also reported quality issues with the latest printing of the commission's walking guide and said he is working with the publisher to address them.
The meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
