HomeMy Public PortalAboutAgriculture Commission -- 2006-04-27 MinutesMINUTES of the 8~' MEETING of
The BREWSTER AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION
Held Thursday, Apri127, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
At the Brewster Tovm Office Building, 2198 Main Street, Room A
Present: Peter Hemnann, Heather Mangelinkx, John MacLellan, Jack Latham, Julie
Trzcinski„ Stephan Brown, Washington Chase, Elizabeth Taylor
Peter Hemnann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Minutes of the April 13, 2006 meeting were accepted and unanimously approved by the
board.
Mr. Herrmann suggested that we have the new animal control officer a member of the
board. Mr. MacLellan suggested we approach him/her after they are hired to see if they
would like to be a member but membership would have to be approved by the selectmen.
The board decided this should be discussed at a later meeting after the animal control
officer has been hired.
Nancy Sheridan discussed her upcoming appearance before the board of appeals about
the change of use of her 36 x 60 barn from storage to a horse barn. Using it as a horse
barn puts it 12' too close to her property line. She is appealing on hardship as there was
no other location on her property to put this barn. She requested that one of the
Agricultural board members appear at the meeting with her. Mr. Latham, Mr. MacLellan
and Mr. Hemnann said they will try to be at the meeting. It was suggested to her that if
the vote does not look as though it will go her way that she ask for a continuance for a
later date so that we could research this issue.
Mr. MacLellan reported he is still working on the farm inventory -dividing the farms
into different agricultural categories. He also suggested we document historical use of the
farms, including dormant farmland. He would like some help from people who have local
knowledge of the various farms - he wondered if we should advertise asking for people
to come list their properties. Mr. MacLellan will draw something up to be put in the Cape
Codder for local residents to come list their properties. .
Ms. Trzcinski has asked for more time for the manure management committee. They will
meet on May 11 before the next Agricultural Commission meeting.
Mr. Brown brought up the use of chemicals by his abutters and if we could raise the
consciousness of people to use more organic methods, perhaps making Brewster a green
town. It was brought up that a town cannot disallow what the state rules already allow.
Discussion was made about doing an informational brochure about organic farming but
the question arose if this really is a responsibility of the agriculture commission and that
we do not want to alienate people with our opinions.
Motion to adjourn at 8:55 was made and seconded. All agreed.
Respectfully submitted, 5b: 5 b E ~
90.
Heather Mangelinkx ~,
%~ '~.3 ~~i t ~ ~ :~ i S iJt
Approved 5- / I. 06 ~ 3aa