Southwick Agricultural Commission Approves $1,200 in Spending for Farm Day, Garden Pump

SOUTHWICK — May 13, 2026 — Southwick Agricultural Commission approves $1,200 in spending across four unanimous votes at May meeting. The commission, chaired by Zach Barnett, allocated $100 for parade giveaway items for the Southwick 250 and farm parades, $50 for personalized invitation cards, $550 for a solar pump at the Sofonowski Community Garden, and $500 for a reprinted farm trail brochure and 10 numbered lawn signs, all to be produced by Southwoods pending sample approval. Members also received a Chapter 61A right-of-first-refusal notice on approximately 17 acres at 177 Klaus Anderson Road — held by the Bernard J. McLaughlin revocable trust of Old Saybrook, Connecticut — and tabled a response until the June 10 meeting to allow time to research the property and consult with the open space, Community Preservation, and Planning boards. Johnson Brook Farm's Arnold family expressed interest in joining Open Farm Day on August 16, the commission's signature annual event. The commission voted unanimously to add the Pledge of Allegiance to the start of all future meetings.