Agricultural Commission, March 20, 2018
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
March 20, 2018
Attendance: Steve D’Aquila, Jim Dunn, Chris Hugo, Eileen Charbonneau, Maleah Gustafson (@7:45 PM), (Tim Ethier BOS Rep @ 7:57PM)
Absent: None
Others Present: Amy Parker, Amanda Morse, Rick Evangelista, Sandy Evangelista, Connie Collupy, Don Buyer, Catherine Berge, Leslie Kelly, Patricia Dusley, Myai Emeryle, Ryan MacKay
The meeting was called to order @7:35 PM
The primary purpose of this meeting was to begin a dialog with the members of the Holden Farmer’s Market, many of whom were present. The meeting opened with a recap of the discussion the Ag Comm had with HFM members Rick and Sandy Evangelista at our February meeting. Below is a list of the main points of the discussions:
-HFM expects four new vendors this season which will begin on May 1, 2018
-HFM would like exclusive permission to use the current market property; without the risk of squatters and hawkers
-Lilac Hedge Farm arrived early, made for bad feelings
-HFM feels that the Town Manager “interfered” in their operation
-Permit fees began only two years ago and have now been raised to $100. At least one past vendor will not participate because of high permit fees
-HFM would accept three Town Manager-designated Holden famer/vendors in exchange for reduced permit fees
-Lilac Hedge Farm does not compete with existing vendors on prices
- The Ag Comm will coordinate with Holden government for relief from new fees and attempt to provide improved market participation with better advertising
Jim will draft a Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Holden, the Holden Farmer’s Market, and the Agricultural Commission to capture the mediated agreements reached at this meeting.
Chairman D’Aquila thanked the HFM vendors for participating in this fruitful effort.
On a motion by Eileen, seconded by Jim, the minutes of the February 20, 2018 meeting were unanimously approved.
Eileen noted that Tom O’Shea, a soon-to-be new resident of Holden has the right background to become a member of the Commission. Mr. O’Shea is Director of Stewardship and Natural Resources at The Trustees of Reservations.
A suggestion was made for the next event in our educational series to be about Bee Keeping. Jim will contact the Worcester County Beekeeper’s Association and solicit support.
Central Mass Grown’s new directory will be out soon.
On a motion by Jim, seconded by Eileen, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted;
James Dunn
Acting Secretary