Community Garden Committee, March 22, 2017
HOLDEN COMMUNITY GARDEN COMMITTEE MINUTES (Amended)
March 22, 2017
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, Michael Mazloff, Tanya Lewis
Ryan Fahey (Applicant to HCG Board Member)
Not In Attendance: Geri Herlihy (Liaison to Board of Selectman)
Meeting called to order at 6:40 p.m.
Agenda:
Steven & Spencer Braithwaite were unable to attend the meeting. They will be asked to come to the next meeting to present their plans for their Eagle Scout project.
Minutes:
February 15th Meeting
Motion #1: To approve the minutes of the February 15, 2017 meeting
Voted and carried.
March 1st Meeting
Motion #2: To approve the minutes of the March 1, 2017 meeting
Voted and carried.
Mission Statement:
Our new mission statement which was discussed at the 2/15 meeting and finalized at the 3/1 meeting was presented. (New Mission Statement is at top of page of these minutes and replaces old Mission Statement.)
Motion #3: To approve the new Mission Statement and send to Town Manager for final approval.
Voted and carried.
New Chairman of Holden Community Garden Committee
Motion #4: To name Marcia Hastbacka as the Chairman of the Holden Community Garden Committee
Voted and Carried.
Highland Street Property:
Grants: A discussion ensued about grant monies (i.e. Seeds of change) as well as any other large grants that we could apply for. Michael (who has written many grants) stated that we are not currently in a position to make any applications for monies. After we have the land ready and are further along with our plans, we might consider applying for grant monies. It was suggested that we would have a better chance with local companies rather than large national companies where the competition for monies would be strong.
Budget: We are still waiting for a final and approved budget number from the DPW. Tanya, who is our contact with Geri H., is staying in touch for further information. Tanya will ask Geri if there are any monies left in this year’s budget for some of the work that was to be done in the spring of this year. Because Geri has a heavy schedule, Tanya will also ask if Geri wants to continue on our committee or if there is someone else on the Select board that might have more time available. Tanya will also check whether she has another Boy Scout connection who would like to do a project for us i.e. trails, etc.
Work Plan: It was suggested that we develop a work plan for the projects at Highland Street and Michael will put together a work plan for us to discuss at the next meeting.
Update on Davis Hill
(The following are notes Jess Cosenza provided from her 3/13/17 Garden meeting at Davis Hill)
Jay and I met with Shane Doherty to discuss the plans for the water catchment system. Shane has many years of experience as a builder, as well as extensive home project experience, great community connections, and a dedication to the school that will certainly be of great value for many years to come. His oldest child is in Mrs. McCarthy’s kindergarten class, and he has a 3 year old as well.
After reviewing our initial proposal for a water catchment system, he expanded the idea further to suggest that we create a wooden pitched structure that can either be left open, or enclosed with light filtering corrugated plastic. The size would be approximately 12x12 (subject to change), 10 feet tall in the front and 8 foot in the back. The lower side would have a gutter system for rain water collection, which will have at least 2 levels of filtration (gutter gard at the roof edge, and screen at the tank opening). If we wanted to close it in, it could serve as a greenhouse, as well as an outdoor lab/classroom!
Shane will be getting some sketches together with a materials list to estimate cost. We have $500 from the Holden Garden Club grant dedicated to the project. Jay will bring the plans to administration to try to assess possible road blocks to moving forward, and hopefully will get a blessing to go ahead. Shane will then talk with the folks he knows in town office to discuss if this project qualifies for permits to be obtained. He also will look into donations for materials. (Shane also believes he can get great compost donated to freshen beds)m liability insurance, possible irrigation consult with a local business, and electric consult to discuss solar power onsite. Val’s 5th grade class will be asked to assess the plans and make suggestions on filtration of debris.
I will be presenting the ideas at the Holden Community Garden meeting next week, and will also touch base with Peter Lukes on the project ideas, as well as the DPW folks to talk about the water tank placement/moving/securing the tanks, and some materials (crushed stone for floor and paths, wood chips to be freshened in early spring). I propose we keep both tanks, using one for the rain water catchment collection and the other for partial filling (measure and track for study) from with the school supply or the hydrant (an idea that was discussed last year but did not get approved). Additionally, I will be looking at additional grant opportunities as our application for a grant from ”Annies” was declined.
We will need to set dates for a team meeting to update our ideas on planting and general garden use, as well as construction dates. If approved, the project would require a day of ground and footing/frame preparation, as well as another day of building the structure to completion. The kindergarten beds could then get done during either one of these days, depending on the folks involved and the number of volunteers we can accrue. If the project itself gets held up, we will certainly get the beds ready as soon as the weather allows no matter what.
I have 2 boy scouts coming to our HCGC meeting next Tuesday to discuss project ideas. One is very interested in making tables and benches for the site, and the other is thinking about a project (bat houses) but he seems open for ideas. I have proposed consideration of volunteering with their troop to help with building, as well as weather stations for both the main school garden and the kindergarten side, if there is interest in building those.
Recruitment of new Members: Ryan Fahey came to the meeting and we will ask the Town Manager to appoint Ryan as the new member of the Holden Community Garden Committee. We also have 2 other applicants who have expressed interest in this committee and have already completed “Do Something” questionnaires. We will also ask the Town Manager if we can have named alternate members who will come to our meetings and if a Committee Member is absent and we need a quorum for a vote, that alternate member could then vote on a motion.
Old Business
Publicity for the Holden Community Garden
Since it seems many town residents do not know about our projects, we will need to take a more active role in promoting the community garden. We discussed again making a presentation to the Senior Center as well as getting some publicity i.e. Landmark article, signage on the billboard at the corner of Main & Shrewsbury Sts. Ryan will work up some ideas as to how to get more publicity for all the projects we will be doing.
Next meeting Scheduled for Wednesday at 6:30 April 5, 2017 (Place to be determined)
Meeting was adjourned at 8:05 pm.