Agricultural Commission, November 15, 2016
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
November 15, 2016
Attendance: Steve D’Aquila, Denise Cummings, Jim Dunn, Eileen Charbonneau
Absent: None
Others Present: Mike Antinarella (@ 7:46PM)
Meeting called to order @7:35 PM
A motion was made (Denise) and seconded (Jim) to accept the minutes of the Oct 9 meeting as presented. The motion was passed (Maleah and Eileen abstained).
A motion was made (Maleah) and seconded (Jim) to accept the minutes of the Oct 20 meeting as presented. The motion was passed (Eileen abstained).
Amy Parker from Summit Wynds has expressed interest in getting an Ag Comm sign for her property. Steve has given her the ordering information. It was suggested that ordering information also be put into the next Newsletter for others who might be interested.
There was a discussion of the impact of the recently passed proposition 3. It seems likely that there will be renewed inters in raising back yard chickens. Ag Comm should resurrect the procedural letter Jim wrote a few years ago. Action for Jim to update guidance with the Town planner. Denise will try to contact the person who has given poultry raising lectures locally in the past.
There was a discussion about how to use the Historical Commission data in conjunction with the Chapter 61 property attribute evaluation the Ag Comm has been working on.
Jim reviewed the First Right of Refusal presentation to the Board of Selectmen earlier this month. The Ag Comm recommendation to not exercise the FROR was accepted by the BOS. There was no other significant discussion about this topic with the BOS at the time. The Ag Comm Open Space Preservation Fund was mentioned and the BOS hopes to get the FY2018 contribution up to $100,000.
It was mentioned that Integrity Equestrian Center on Manning St has list some Chapter 61 property for sale. Jim will check details from Assessors office.
On a motion (Eileen) and seconded (Denise) the meeting was adjourned at 8:43 PM
Respectfully submitted;
James Dunn
Acting Secretary