Southwick Open Space Committee Approves Minutes, Plans Spring Maintenance at Two Properties

Other Committee · Meeting of March 10, 2026

Southwick's Open Space and Management Committee plans spring invasive-species work and awaits a critical grant decision. Meeting at 454 College Highway, the committee approved its prior minutes and reviewed deferred maintenance at the Sofonowski preserve and the Woodland Ridge open space parcel, where a roughly 50-by-50-foot poison ivy patch borders a public trail. Member Martha Cain reported that she submitted a Pioneer Valley Planning Commission grant application on March 18, with a decision expected by late April; grants administrator Nicole Parker is the town's administrator of record.

The committee currently pays approximately $1,200 per year for field brush-hogging at Sofonowski from a dwindling grant balance, and members described the budget situation as precarious after back-to-back cuts totaling 15 percent. A key unresolved question is the formation of a Select Board-appointed ad hoc planning committee needed before the OSRP update can move forward, with town elections set for May 9.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 917 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of March 10, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.