Commission Members:
Roger Wolfe, Chair
Deb Lee
Thomas DeJohn
Tom Hughes
Mary Ellen Ellsworth
Ralph Yulo Jr.
Frank Castagna
Steve Broderick (alt.)
Click Here for Eastford Conservation and Historic Preservation Commission Minutes and Agendas
About the ECHPC:
Eastford Connecticut is our home. We love our town for many reasons – its fields, forests, ponds, rivers and rural character; its small-town atmosphere and friendly people, its history and its charm.
Eastford is changing, and like all small towns, will continue to change. As Eastford grows, the Conservation and Historic Preservation Commission (CHPC) is working to ensure that our natural and historic resources are conserved and that as we build what needs to be built, we celebrate our history and environment by protecting our resources for future generations.
Eastford has its own Open Space Fund, and there are also state and federal grant funds available for protecting open space. If you love your land and would like to see some or all of it protected from development for future generations, we would like to hear from you.
Good jobs, a strong economy and a stable mill rate are critical to Eastford’s future. So are a clean environment and our small town, rural character. If we all pitch in – working and planning together – we can ensure that generations to come will also enjoy these assets.
The Commission consists of nine members and in the web pages on Conservation & Historic Preservation, you can review our Mission Statement. In addition you can review or download Natural Resource Maps including Agricultural Soils, Ground and Surface Water Resources and several others. Additionally, links to local and state organizations supporting open space and other conservation initiatives can be found on the ECHPC Resource pages.
ECHPC – Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD)
Please check back to review and download Eastford’s updated Plan of Conservation & Development (POCD) 2016-2026. Many resources have been compiled to create a framework for development in Eastford over the next decade. Currently, key natural resource maps developed for the POCD can be found on our Maps page.
To obtain a hardcopy, please contact the Selectmen’s Office in the Town Hall. Please note, a pertinent addition to the 2016 POCD involves Public Act 490. Please note the following from “Page 61 Land Use Goal 4a. Planning Commission will set the minimum acreage for 490 Open Space designation at three acres.” Should you have further questions on this program, please contact the Assessor’s Office at 860-974-1885.
State of Connecticut Substitute House Bill No. 6570 Public Act No. 05-205
AN ACT CONCERNING PLANS OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 8-23 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2005):
(a) (1) At least once every ten years, the commission shall prepare or amend and shall adopt a plan of conservation and development for the municipality. Following adoption, the commission shall regularly review and maintain such plan. The commission may adopt such geographical, functional or other amendments to the plan or parts of the plan, in accordance with the provisions of this section, as it deems necessary. The commission may, at any time, prepare, amend and adopt plans for the redevelopment and improvement of districts or neighborhoods which, in its judgment, contain special problems or opportunities or show a trend toward lower land values.
To read the rest of the bill, please visit: CT HB-6570 \ CT PA-05-205.
ECHPC – Mission Statement:
The Town of Eastford Conservation and Historic Preservation Commission (ECHPC) is a non-regulatory commission whose charge revolves around information and education.
- Information: The ECHPC strives to be a valuable, unbiased source of sound information on the natural, agricultural, historical and archeological resources in Eastford. Towards this end we maintain a comprehensive inventory of these resources.
- Education & Communication: The ECHPC seeks effective, ongoing ways to share this information with boards, commissions, organizations and individuals (including youth) who can use it to: a) make good decisions involving these resources, and b) learn to appreciate and enjoy these resources.
- Conservation & Preservation Activity: The ECHPC undertakes and seeks outside funding for pro-active projects that protect and enhance these resources. Examples of such projects may include trail construction and maintenance, funding for protection of important open space, maintenance and appropriate use of historical structures, and development of educational materials.
Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher.
William Wadsworth
The Eastford Conservation & Historic Preservation Commission of the Town of Eastford Connecticut is responsible for the information on these pages. The presence of a link or listing on this site does not constitute endorsement or approval by the Town of Eastford Connecticut.
If you encounter problems, or have questions or feedback on this website, please contact our webmaster.