Agricultural Commission, July 17, 2018
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
July 17, 2018
Attendance: Steve D’Aquila, Jim Dunn, Eileen Charbonneau, Maleah Gustafson (@7:45 PM)
Absent: Ryan McKay, Chris Hugo, Tom O’Shea
Others Present: Amy Parker +1
The meeting was called to order @7:40 PM
On a motion, by Maleah, seconded by Eileen, the minutes of the May meeting, as revised, were approved unanimously.
On a motion, by Jim, seconded by Maleah, the minutes of the June meeting, as revised, were approved unanimously.
Jim reported that after the last meeting, he reviewed the statutes relevant to animal excise tax exemptions and/or abatements. He passed this information along to Christine Shustack with a recommendation to seek professional counsel. This issue appears to be closed for now.
The group discussed the issue of the Town ‘promoting’, on Facebook, the Lilac Hedge Back 40 event which had been raised at the previous night’s Board of Selectmen’s meeting. The group agreed with the Manager’s decision to support the event since it has no direct competition from other entities in town and is overall good for the community.
The group discussed whether we should push to formalize/finalize the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town and the Holden Farmer’s Market. Jim will discuss with the Manager.
Steve reported on the status of funding the proposed banner for Holden Farmer’s Market. He will follow-up with the Manager regarding funding options. On a motion by Jim, seconded by Eileen, the Commission voted unanimously to fund the banner ($395) out of our FY2018 budget, if that is allowed.
There was confusion generated today on the Town’s Facebook page regarding the status of the HFM for the day due to rainy conditions. Jim will talk to Wendy in the Manager’s office and figure out what happened and establish procedures for future situations.
Tom O’Shea was formally approved by the BOS to be a member of the Ag Comm at their July 16 meeting. We now have seven members as allowed by the enabling statute.
The group reviewed the July educational series event on Bee Keeping. Steve made the introduction of the speaker to about 20 attendees. Positive feedback was heard from those who attended.
We should consider connecting and cross-promoting future events with Rutland’s Ag Comm. Ideas for other events were discussed. We should set a food preserving event next June (2019); perhaps jointly sponsored with the Cooking Club. A Fruit Tree Pruning event would work well in the Jan/Feb 2019 time frame. We need ideas for a fall 2018 event.
Jim reported that he made the Ag Comm presentation to the BOS regarding the Sobol Chapter 61A conversion at their June 16 meeting. The BOS voted to not exercise or transfer the Town’s first right of refusal on the property, as we recommended.
Steve presented his idea of an Ag Comm sub-committee to work the Chapter 61 property prioritization effort. The group accepted the proposal. Jim, Chris, and Tom are the likely members
Eileen will pick up Ag Comm Secretary duties starting next month.
Maleah reported on Central Mass Grown activities. There will be a regional Farm Tour and Agri-tourism workshop at Red Apple Farm on July 20. Congressman McGovern will be in the area for a farm tour on August 21/22.
On a motion by Jim, seconded by Maleah, the meeting was adjourned at 8:58 PM.
Respectfully submitted;
James Dunn
Acting Secretary