Klapik Farm - Lack of mowing impact

[thomas harbinson]

We discussed this at our last meeting, the mowing at farm fields the City owns.

Off Long Hill Ave is the Klapik Farm to the west, and the Tall farm to the east, almost directly opposite one another.

The Tall Farm is maintained for hay by the Bures brothers.  I drive by all year long given it is near my house, and they often get two cuttings from it.

The Klapik Farm was maintained for hay by Wells, but he fell into poor health, and it missed a few years prior to his death.  The impacts are losing the fields with invasives growing in and something should be done if it is to be maintained in that agricultural use as hay fields.

Screenshots from Google Earth 2004 vs 2025 shows the impact.

Klapik Farm:

Tall Farm:

Teresa - I put the full MSWord file with subsequent Google Earth shots on the Conservation Google Drive.  Both a file for Tall and one for Klapik

Tom Harbinson

currently USA

Tel: 203SirTomH

15 Soundcrest Drive. 06484

[Teresa Gallagher]

I met with the Mayor and staff from Parks & Rec and Public Works there yesterday. The Mayor has instructed the two departments to figure out how to remove the young autumn olive growing in the middle of the main back field. I also called John Bures (who cuts Tall & Wiacek) and he is interested in the field and the old haying equipment left by the Wells family. But I understand the haying operation is a ‘break even’ endeavor with the cost of fuel, and John does the haying because he enjoys it.

 

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Subject: SheltonCC Klapik Farm - Lack of mowing impact

 

 

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We discussed this at our last meeting, the mowing at farm fields the City owns.

 

Off Long Hill Ave is the Klapik Farm to the west, and the Tall farm to the east, almost directly opposite one another.

 

The Tall Farm is maintained for hay by the Bures brothers.  I drive by all year long given it is near my house, and they often get two cuttings from it.

 

The Klapik Farm was maintained for hay by Wells, but he fell into poor health, and it missed a few years prior to his death.  The impacts are losing the fields with invasives growing in and something should be done if it is to be maintained in that agricultural use as hay fields.

 

Screenshots from Google Earth 2004 vs 2025 shows the impact.

 

Klapik Farm:

Tall Farm:

Teresa - I put the full MSWord file with subsequent Google Earth shots on the Conservation Google Drive.  Both a file for Tall and one for Klapik

 

Tom Harbinson

 

currently USA

Tel: 203SirTomH

15 Soundcrest Drive. 06484

 

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[thomas harbinson]

At the final public hearing for zone change on Guy Beardsley's former property, a couple came down from Cheshire, where they lease 80ac of private and Land Trust lands.  They had talked to Guy's family about continuing to farm the lands, but $$ got in the way.  My point is that there are farmers out there who are desperate to find good ag soil locations.  Agricultural lands can be used for more than a hayfield, but it requires more than a 1yr license given the input reqd from preparation, planting and harvest.

To sell hay bales as feedstock needs quality material, but I don't know how John Bures is utilizing the bales.  I don't know the yield from the fields, but even at $6/square bale - there is a worthwhile revenue.

Tom Harbinson

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