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2011 Community Forum and Discovery Day event

Community Forum and Discovery Day Event

  

The Beacon Falls Conservation Commission is hosting a 2-day event featuring a Community Forum, Dedicated to our Natural Resources, Outdoor Recreation and Greenway Opportunities and a Discovery Day for Region 16 students this fall.

Community Forum

Date:  Thursday, October 13, 2011

Time: 4:30 - 9:00  PM

Where: Woodland Regional High School ~ Auditorium

  

Presenters / Speakers

Keynote speaker:  Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, Academic Program Manager, Environmental Science with Post University http://www.post.edu/online/faculty/Elizabeth_Johnson.shtml

Presenter: Phil Goff from Alta Planning + Design http://www.altaplanning.com/phil+goff.aspx

Presenter: Elaine Sych, CT ERT team from Kings Mark http://www.ctert.org/ERTWebsite/ERTInformation/TeamMembers.html 

Support:

· Jill Blasi, Chair Science Department at Woodland Regional High

· Lisa Croce, AP Science Teacher at Woodland Regional High

· Post University Environmental Science students

  

Discovery Day

Date: Friday, October 14, 2011
Rain date: October 21, 2011

Time: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: Matthies Park

Thank you to our sponsors:
ARC Printing · Barker Specialty · O&G Industries · Post University ·
R-Media · The Natural Princess · The Connecticut Community Foundation


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Study Finds Lantern Ridge Open Space Teaming with Resources

  Environmental Review Study Chock Full of Information

(Beacon Falls, CT — March 7, 2011)  – The Beacon Falls Conservation Commission is proud to announce the completion of an environmental review study of Lantern Ridge open space parcel, the news was announced today by Diane Betkoski, chair of the commission.

In June 2010 a group of environmental professionals from King's Mark - Connecticut Environmental Review Team (CT ERT) came together to form a team of multi-disciplinary environmental professionals to assist the Beacon Falls Conservation Commission in its review of the Lantern Ridge open space, a parcel of just over 100 acres.

The final result now available is a comprehensive natural resource inventory report for open space planning purposes. The CT ERT team was comprised of specialists - from a variety of federal, state, regional and local agencies. The expertise included a Wildlife Biologist from DEP, a Geologist, an Ecologist, a Forester from DEP, a Fishery Biologist, an Archaeologist, a USDA Soil Conversationalist, a Hydro-geologist from DEP and a senior planner from the CT Council of Governments.

“The commission is pleased to release the report to the public for review,” Betkoski stated. Residents of Beacon Falls are fortunate to have an abundance of open space parcels that compliment the community so well. With this report now complete the commission will be recommending activity use level (active vs. passive) to the town and seeking public input for the specific activities conducive for this property. The commission encourages everyone to get out side and enjoy the natural resources available in Beacon Falls.

Mission Statement and Purpose

The conservation commissions mission and purpose is to protect the natural environment of Beacon Falls by monitoring the development, conservation, supervision and regulations of natural resources, including water resources within its territorial limits. The commission keeps an index of all open space areas, publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands.  Working in conjunction with the Land Use Committee, the conservation commission advocates for the proper use of these valuable resources. For more information regarding the Beacon Falls Conservation Commission:  http://home.comcast.net/~bfcc-ct/site/

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O&G Industries newsletter article ~ Toby's Pond

Beacon Falls to Acquire 45-Acre Parcel Along the Naugatuck River

Beacon Falls to Acquire 45-Acre Parcel Along the Naugatuck River.

Recreational Park on the Horizon in Early Spring of 2010

(Beacon, CT — October 8, 2009) The Town of Beacon Falls will receive a 45-acre parcel that includes a 40-acre pond immediately along the Naugatuck River. “The property is absolutely beautiful, a jewel right in the heart of Beacon Falls," First Selectman Susan Cable said of the property referred to as the “OG Pond”. "It's going to be preserved as open space for future generations to enjoy."

The Board of Selectman will formally acquire the site as a gift from OG Industries prior to the official ceremony. The formal ceremony takes place on October 22, 2009 at 2:00 PM in the park. The name of the park will be revealed during the ceremony. The public is welcome to attend.

Access to the property is at the intersection of Lopus and Pines Bridge Roads; the pump station and overhead railroad bridge serve as landmarks. A new gate will provide control over vehicle usage into the park area, which will offer approximately 50 parking spaces to visitors.

“OG Industries is a prominent brand here in Beacon Falls and throughout Connecticut; Ken Faroni, Director of Planning and Permits is a champion of their brand, evident in the fruition of this acquisition,” continued Cable. “We are grateful for the magnificent property donation from OG. I envision future growth and prosperity to the town as a result of their generosity of the waterfront property. It will serve as a focal point to the town.“

Ken Faroni has managed the site for nearly two decades, working cooperatively with every board and commission in town and at the state and federal level to obtain the necessary permits. “OG recognizes the importance of preserving Open Space for the community,” Faroni declared. “Our donation will permanently protect one of the Town’s most prized natural resources serving a multitude of public benefits and functions including providing a valuable water-based recreational resource, floodplain protection and wildlife management.”

Cable acknowledged, “that key to the economic growth and sustainable future in town is the progress made on the Naugatuck River in Beacon Falls. The recreational park will engage small business owners to invest in the community.” The new streetscape and walking track currently under development will further enhance the overall look and feel for the town.

About Beacon Falls
The town of Beacon Falls, with a population of 5,600 is located in southwest Connecticut and is bisected by the Naugatuck River. Incorporated in 1871 on lands from each of the bordering towns: Bethany, Naugatuck, Oxford, and Seymour the town covers approximately 9.8 square miles. New businesses, the downtown streetscape and walkway serve as reminders of growth and revitalization in town along the river. For more information on Beacon Falls (http://www.beaconfalls-ct.org) please contact Susan Cable, First Selectman at (203) 729-4340 or e-mail SusanACable@townofbeaconfalls.com

About OG Industries
OG Industries is a privately owned company in its third generation of family management, headquartered in Torrington, Connecticut. Since its inception in 1923, the firm has grown to become one of the largest and most diversified construction materials and services companies in the Northeast. Engineering News-Record consistently ranks us among the top builders in the country. Services include Building Construction; Heavy Civil Construction; and Construction Materials. For more information about OG Industries (http://www.ogind.com) please contact Ken Faroni, Director of Planning and Permits at (860) 496-4250 or e-mail kenfaroni@ogind.com

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Media note: This is a good photo / live feed opportunity.

Open Space Management Committee

Beacon Falls Conservation Commission Establishes Critical Subcommittee

Three Commission Members Tapped to Control Open Space Management Planning
 

(Beacon Falls, CT — July 15, 2010) The Beacon Falls Conservation Commission is pleased to announce the establishment of a distinct subcommittee to reach its long-range goals and objectives in open space management, the news was announced today by Diane Betkoski, chair of the commission. 

The open space management subcommittee, made up of commission members Diane Betkoski, Anita Goerig and Jeffrey Goerig will; 1) develop an Open Space Usage and Management Plan which includes a template of steps required for the successful management of open space, 2) coordinate environmental assessments to determine important characteristics which will help determine its future usage, 3) solicit and organize funding opportunities and 4) establish tools to measure, monitor and report on open space activity. The committee will champion open space assets by collaborating with all members of the Conservation Commission, the Board of Selectman and the Land Commission to ensure the optimal management of open space.

“This subcommittee was inspired in part when the Conservation Commission became the official stewards of the Lantern Ridge and Smith Farms open space parcels, over 97 and 5 acres respectively in 2009,” Betkoski remarked. Fieldwork has begun, including marking the boundaries of the Lantern Ridge property. To assist with the extensive planning the commission was fortunate to have had the CT Environmental Review Team (CT ERT) complete an environmental review of the parcel with a team of specialists drawn from a variety of federal, state, regional and local agencies. The team included a Wildlife Biologist, a Geologist, an Ecologist, a Forester, a Fishery Biologist, an Archaeologist, a Soil Conservationist and a Hydro-geologist.

The final ERT report will be a comprehensive natural resource inventory report for the committee to use in its open space management plan of Lantern Ridge, due out in late August. The conservation commission plans to hold a community meeting prior to releasing its final recommendation on the proposed use of this parcel.

Mission Statement and Purpose

The conservation commissions mission and purpose is to protect the natural environment of Beacon Falls by monitoring the development, conservation, supervision and regulations of natural resources, including water resources within its territorial limits. The commission keeps an index of all open space areas, publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands. Working in conjunction with the Land Use Committee, the conservation commission advocates for the proper use of these valuable resources. For more information contact Anita Goerig via e-mail at bfcc-ct@comcast.net. Join us during our monthly meetings the first Monday of the month 7:30 PM in Town Hall. Visit us on line at http://home.comcast.net/~bfcc-ct for updates.

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Save the Date ~ Naugatuck River Greenway Presentation

Public Presentation for the Regional Naugatuck River Greenway

Year Long Routing Study Spearheaded by the Council of Governments of Central Connecticut Valley

(Waterbury, CT — October 20, 2010) – The Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley (COGCNV) announced today the completed Routing Study for the Regional Naugatuck River Greenway. A presentation covering the Beacon Falls routing will cover the study’s recommendations for a greenway trail along the Naugatuck River in the town connecting to Naugatuck and Seymour, Senior Planner, Sam Gold remarked. The presentation is scheduled for:

Date: Thursday, October 21, 2010
Time: 7:30 pmPlace: Beacon Falls Senior Center
57 N Main St · Beacon Falls, CT 06403

The presentation will provide local elected officials, commissions, and residents an opportunity to learn about the Greenway routing study. The routing study will serve as a blueprint for the future Greenway trail, guiding Beacon Falls and the other study municipalities as they move on to design and construction phases of the project.

The Naugatuck River Greenway is envisioned as a biking and walking trail that will run 44 miles from Torrington to Derby. COGCNV’s study recommends a feasible alignment for 22 miles of the greenway trail through five municipalities of the Central Naugatuck Valley. The study also present cost estimates and construction phasing recommendations for the greenway trail in each municipality. The electronic copies of the studies and directions to these presentation venues are posted at http://www.cogcnv.org/greenway/index.html.

About COGCNV

COGCNV is a forum for chief elected officials to discuss issues of common concern and to develop programs to address them on a regional level. Fundamentally, COGCNV is a planning organization, concerned with economic development, land use, water planning and transportation needs of the Central Naugatuck Valley Region (CNVR). It sets regional priorities for a variety of federal and state-funding programs, oversees regional programs for member municipalities, and provides technical assistance to municipalities, local organizations, and the general public. For more information please contact Sam Gold at 203-757-0535 or greenway@cogcnv.org

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