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Home My Public Portal AboutAgriculture Commission -- 2005-12-29 Minutes I f dJFT INIINUTES of the I" MEETING of The BREWSTER AGRICULTURAL CONLVIISSION _ Held Thursday, December 29, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. At the Brewster Town Office Building, 2198 Main Street, Room A Present: PeterHermann, Julie Trzcinski, Heather Nlangelinkx. \Vashington Chase, John N,Iacl-ellan, Jack Latham, Sherry McCoullough, Kevin McCoullough, J11111in Douglass ;till. Douglass, acting as Chair Pro-Tem, called the meeting to order. She asked members to introduce themselves and explain a little bit about their background and their interest in the Committee. She referred members to copies of the Open Meeting Law that she passed out and reminded members of the role of the various officers. She sununariied %what constitutes a quorum and the requirement for all meetings to be posted with the Town 48 hours in advance. She also referred members to a copy of the Town N/leeting Article that was voted by the Town to establish the Commission as the basic charge of the group. She called for nominations for chairman. Julie Trzcinski nominated Peter Hermann as Chairman. Jack MacLellan seconded the nomination. Hearing no further nominations, Ms. Douglass closed nominations and took the vote. The vote was unanimous {6 yes, 0 no. 0 abstentions). Ms. Douglass called for nominations of vice chairman. Jack Latham nominated Jack MacLellan as vice chairman. Julie Trzcinski seconded the nomination. Hearing no further nominations, Ms. Douglass closed nominations and called t)r a vote. The voted \vas unanimously in favor (6 yes, 0 no. 0 abstentions). Ms. Douglass called for nominations for secretary. Ms. Trzcinski nominated Stephan Brown. -Mr. MacLellan seconded the nomination. Hearing no further nominations, Ms. Douglass closed nominations and called for the vote. The vote was unanimously in favor (6 yes, 0 no. 0 abstentions). Ms. Douglass then turned the meeting over to Peter I-Iermann as Chairman. '\lr. Hermann introduced Leo Coukounas of Harwich as Har��Ich's representative to the Cape K. Islands branch of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau. He is also Harwich's Cape Cod Commission representative. Mr. Coukounas thanked members for stepping up and volunteering. He noted that there is a movement nation-wide to support and encourage agriculture. He noted that the primary role that he sees for the Commission is to help prevent litigation. He suggested that the Commission send out letters (with a copy going to the CCC) of introduction to all Town Committees and Departments notifying them of the establishment of the Ag. Comm and providing examples of what the Commission can do. He mentioned the Commission could assist the Building Commissioner \vith determinations related to MGL Chapter 128, 1A and Chapter 40A : the Board off lealth with animal management plans and regulations; the fire Department �\Ith Aorieiiltur�d burn permits, etc. He noted that Harwich is very active and ambitious, and th.it the could benefit by coordinating with surrounding towns, the USDA, the CC'C and the Extension Service. He noted that in relation to the management of manure, there is a solid \�astc management Seminar on 2/15/06 at 9:30a at the Sturgis I_.ibrary. I I noted that the dept. of Ag. Has a series of handouts of resources. He passed out copies of-I more that...", a handout put out by the Coop Ext. Service on parlianientary procedure. He recommended that the Conunission start out by makiri,- a plan to re\ ie%\ organic waste regulations to add manure to the Town's composting program. Ile said he felt the commission should strive to have the manure accepted free of charge and to encourage the Town to sell the compost product, which has a relatively high value. He noted that Harwich is working on a "Right to Farm Bylaw". He ,aid the I larwich model requires new owners to commercial agricultural operations to sign off acknowledging that the operators have a right to operate. He said I larw ich's bylaw doesn't give any rights, it just educate the public on the rights of larmers. 1 Ie stated that the creation of a Farmers' Market is another potential go�il. I Ic noted that there is an Agricultural Tourism map of the Cape and th.it markets \could he included in updates of that map. Ile mentioned that in Harwich the Ag Comm meets with the Open Space and C'ommunit_� Preservation Committees to provide input on priorities and deed restrictions. He cautioned that most conservation deed restrictions prohibit agricultural u,cs and therefor are at odds with the Ag Comm's goals, but that there are many example agricultural deed restrictions in existence. He mentioned Mary Greendale and Commissioner Dou11 Gillespie of the Dept. of Agriculture as also being resources to the ('ommission. Jack MacLellan asked if there was a single resource center. ylr. Coukounas said the Dept. of Ag. is pretty much that source. He also stated that the Farm Bureau accepts Ag. Comm. members as Farm Bureau members. The Commission members agreed that meetings would he the second Lind fourth Thursdays of each month. The next meeting would be at 7p on 1 12 06. Mr. Coukounas passed out a sample "right to farm' bylaw. He stated that .Jeff Lafleur of the Cranberry Growers' Assoc. is a good resource. Mr. MacLellan asked if aquaculture is included as "agriculture' under the ")tatc's definitions. Mr. Coukounas said that as of 3 years ago, it is. Sherry N IcCoullough, the Town's Health and Animal Ins-pector welcomed the Commission's guidance and help in approaching animal and animal waste issues in Town. Mr MacLellan asked if there is a maximum amount of animal allo\\ed on a property. Mr. Coukounas stated that the County has done cxtensi\e studies o[1 manure and composting and groundwater. He also referred to the fanners I.i\c Aninial Market Exchanoe (FLAME) and Mike Chill of the Bureau of Agriculture and Allltnal Health as being another resource on these types of issues. He suggested that the Commission plan a year at a time and prioritize the issues before it. He added that Harwich is also pursuing designation of land for agricultural events such as equestrian and livestock shows and Framers' Markets. He also noted that the Mass Agriculture in the Classroom program has small grants for educational e�ents and fieldtrips to agricultural operations and events. Sherry McCoullogh stated that there are currently 55 a,�,ric tilt uial barns in Brc��stcr. Mr. Coukounas suggested the Commission could create "best practice docunicnts" to guide the town in relation to agricultural uses, structures and set-backs, etc. The issue of Wind Power Generators was raised. Ms. Douglass reported that the Town currently takes the position that towers over 35 feet are prohibited due to the Town's height bylaw. Mr. Coukounas stated that agricultural operations over 5 acres are exempt from zoning, and therefor would not need to apply to install and operate wind po%ver generators. NIs. McCoullough noted that Brewster In Bloom and the parade could present a good opportunity to get the word out about the new Agricultural Commission. Ms. Trzcinski offered to get the Manure Regulations from Bill Clark at the Extension Service and share them with the members. Ms. Trzeinski moved that the meeting adjourn at 8:30p. Mr. MacLellan seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous to adjourn. Respectfully Submitted, Jillian Douglass Minutes Approved / J� date J