New Milford’s Smyrski Farm Preserve is threatened by development. 

This pristine 220-acre landscape, known as the Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy’s “premier agricultural preserve”, is the largest cattle farm in New Milford and contains significant natural resources including core forests, wetlands, watercourses, and floodplains. Home to more than 90 species of birds including rare Bald Eagles and Bobolinks, the property is inhabited by Beaver, Black Bear, Fisher, Bobcat and many other species of wildlife. Donated to the land trust by the Smyrski family, dairy farmers who farmed the site since the 1930s, the farm’s unique landscape is filled with scenic, cultural, historic, natural, agricultural and ecological resources.  The farm contains two barns on the State Register of Historic Places and has been in continuous agricultural use for hundreds of years. The Smryski Farm is part of New Milford’s living history, and this stretch of Merryall Road looks much like it did 100 years ago.  

The Smyrski Farm Preserve protects this mile-long unbroken agricultural landscape almost in its entirety, except for a four-acre parcel located in the midst of the farm. 

This undeveloped--and unprotected— lot is owned by an area resident who plans to build a large 4-bedroom house and pool on it. Their site contains extensive wetlands and directly abuts the farm on three sides. The proposed home would be located less than 100-feet from the site’s wetlands.   Drainage from this site would flow directly into the Smyrski wetlands and the pristine West Branch Aspetuck River. This development could potentially forever alter and damage the preserve’s and Merryall’s scenic and historic character and ecology, and disrupt the farming operation.

The owners of this site have applied to the New Milford Inland Wetlands Commission for a permit to build in the area directly adjacent to the site’s wetlands. 

The farm needs your help to prevent this from happening. 

What you can do to help save this farm and its pristine landscape: 

1. Sign this petition to compel the New Milford Wetland Commission to hold a public hearing on this application  WA-22-4 - please indicate if you are a New Milford resident and over the age of 18

2. Attend and speak at the New Milford Inland Wetlands Commission meeting on March 17 at 7PM in the E. Paul Martin Room 2nd Floor, Town Hall 10 Main Street New Milford, Connecticut 06776, during their public comment period (public comment is the first part of the meeting so you must be on time and sign up beforehand)

3. Let your neighbors and friends know and ask for their support. 

4. Mail your comments and concerns to:

New Milford Inland Wetlands Commission 

10 Main Street 

New Milford, Connecticut 06776 

Time is of the essence - we must flood the Wetland Commission with requests for a public hearing before they meet on March 17!!