Agricultural Commission, September 20, 2016

AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES

September 20, 2016

Attendance:       Steve D’Aquila, Denise Cummings, Jim Dunn, Maleah Gustafson (@ 7:36 PM), Eileen Charbonneau (@7:33 PM)

Absent: None

Others Present:  Tim Eithier (BOS), Mike Pineo (MAAC), Amy Parker, Amanda Atkins, Jim Bradbury, Amy Crockett, and others

Meeting called to order @ 7:25 PM

A motion was made and seconded and passed unanimously to move the Summitwynds discussion forward in the agenda to accommodate the large number of visitors.

The Commission heard from Amy Parker and Amanda Atkins of Summitwynds.  The Commission heard from abutters Bradbury and Crockett.  The primary neighbor issue is excessive noise.  Bradbury read the neighborhood petition signed by 175 residents to date.  A hearing for a special permit to operate the wedding venue is scheduled before the Board of Assessors on September 29.  The Commission thanked the participants and all of them departed.         

The Commission discussed the issue.  Summitwynds does not appear to qualify as a farm under M.G.L and is registered only under Chapter 61B.  On a motion by Denise, seconded by Maleah, the Commission voted to forward the Holden Town Counsel letter to Mass Farm Bureau Federation for an additional advisory opinion.  The motion passed unanimously.

Minutes of the July 16 meeting were approved unanimously, with abstention by Maleah and Eileen.

The Committee briefly discussed Ballot Question #3.  Further discussion was postponed due to the lateness of the hour.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted;

James Dunn

Acting Secretary