Community Garden Committee, February 25, 2019

HOLDEN COMMUNITY GARDEN COMMITTEE MINUTES

February 25. 2019

Mission Statement:

The Holden Community Garden Committee is a volunteer organization working to provide and support Holden residents, individually and collectively, to grow food, flowers, fruits, and herbs on town land including the redeveloped property on Highland Street.  Our efforts will enable residents to enjoy the beauty of our town while developing a sense of community through cooperative action, learning about sustainable and environmentally conscious gardening as well as ethical harvesting. 

The Holden Community Garden Committee also exists to foster the education of the children of Holden through the support of community gardens in local schools and community groups.  These gardens will help to develop the appreciation of future generations for the importance of agriculture and responsible environmental practices, and provide education and positive experiences through gardening and physical activity.

In Attendance:  Marcia Hastbacka, Chair:  Members:  Jessica Cosenza, Sarah Edmonstone, Mike Trigiano,

Gina Tutela, Guest:  Julie McCarthy

Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm

AGENDA:

Minutes of February 25, 2019

MOTION #1:

To approve 2-25-19 HCG Minutes as edited

Motion voted and carried

NEW MEMBER AND GUEST INTRODUCED

Gina Tutela is the new member of our committee and Julie McCarthy was introduced as a potential member.

Julie will be completing the “Do Something” questionnaire for the Town and we will ask Peter Lukes to appoint her to our committee.  Julie is  the Girl Scout leader whose troop is planting the section of the garden that will have a spice wheel, perennials, brick walkways and the bridge for the girl scout bridging ceremony.  Julie noted the scouts still want to plant a pumpkin patch as a possible fundraiser.

UPDATE ON GARDEN APPLICATIONS

The 2019 Garden Applications have been posted on the Town of Holden website and Wendy will  handle the completed applications as they come into the town office.  There are also  application packets available in the Starbard Building.    Jess will contact Steve Aquila to find out if there are any Rice School Condo residents who may want a plot as he had contacted us 2 years ago about a community garden at the condominiums.

Jess gave Marcia 2 completed applications that were given to Wendy to process.

ISSUES TO TAKE CARE OF BEFORE GARDEN SEASON BEGINS

Marcia will contact John Woodsmall about the wind damage to the corrugated plastic roofing on the water catchment system and ask if the DPW has materials to replace the roofing.  Marcia will also ask about the best place to purchase the cedar wood for the raised bed tables .  Jess will also ask her contacts as well.

UPDATE ON DPW MONIES

As the Town Budget has not been approved yet, there is no update on DPW monies.

SIGNAGE STENCIL

Jess noted that there may be a signage stencil that we can have made that would be useful for signs on the garden.

Julie will also check her contact for signage.

UPDATE ON DAVIS HILL COMMUNITY GARDEN MEETING

Jess attended their meeting at the school on the morning of 3/25 and reviewed her notes which are on the following page:

UPDATE ON GRANT APPLICATIONS

Jess announced that she had received word that the HCG has been selected to receive a 2019 Fiskars Project Orange Thumb grant.  We will receive a Fiskars toolkit, which includes rakes, shovels and loppers among other items for a total value of $1500.  We will also receive a $1000. gift card to be used on goods for the garden such as plant, soil, mulch or wood.  There are some requirements for us to receive these goods and monies i.e. W-9 form, a final report that summarizes the development, execution, and future plans for the garden along with all garden receipts, and posting updates on Fiskars' Facebook page.

OLD BUSINESS

A discussion of a trail from the Davis Hill Garden to connect to the trail being built by the girl scout ensued.  It was suggested that either a Boy Scout troop,  Girl Scout Troop,  or the members of the Wachusett National Honor Society be contacted to assist with this project

It was also suggested that the Landmark be contacted for publicity when any event is occurring at the garden as well as posting on our website.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:55 pm.

Next meeting will be Monday, April 22, 2019 at 7:00 in the Starbard Building.