HomeMy Public PortalAboutAgriculture Commission -- 2006-06-08 MinutesMINUTES of the MEETING of
The BREWSTER AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION
Held Thursday, June 8, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
At the Brewster Town Office Building, 2198 Main Street, Room A
Present: Peter Hemnann, Heather Mangelinkx, Julie Trzcinski„ Dave Carlson,
Washington Chase, Jack Latham
Mr. Herrmann called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
Minutes of the May 25, 2006 meeting were accepted and unanimously approved by the
board.
Mr. Scott Soares from the MA Dept of Agricultural Resources attended the meeting. One
of his jobs is to maintain a data base on Agricultural Commissions. He explained that the
right to farm by law is a combination of all the Massachusetts laws regarding farming and
that it is just a restatement of the rights of farmers. (Article 97 is for clean air & water,
40A prohibits unreasonable zoning, Chapter 90 is on registration of farm vehicles,
Chapter 111. Section 125A is farmer's right to appeal a board of health decision and it
allows farmers to continue operation until a judge makes a decision, and Chapter 128
section lA is the definition of agriculture). He stated that as of June 8`", 38 communities
in Massachusetts have passed the right to farm by law and that there are 75 agricultural
commissions. After June town meetings he expects those numbers to grow. He suggested
we have pre- publicity before town meeting -newspaper articles, advertise, town
administrators backing the by law and a map of community farms.
Ms. Mangelinkx presented the letter proposed to send to the selectmen and finance
commission to present the by-law to them. She also reworked the by-law with a few
changes that match other towns. Under definitions she added the word keeping to the line
raising of livestock including horses, and modified the disclosure notification to be
posted in town hall within 30 days rather than a mailing to every townsperson once a year
and also before the sale of property. Ms Trzcinski motioned to accept these changes, Mr.
Lathan seconded the motion and all agreed on the letter to the selectmen and the changes
in the by law. Ms. Mangelinkx will get the letter and by law to the selectmen, finance and
Mr. Sumner and request that we are on their meeting agendas. Members suggest we get
local farmers to these meetings to show support of this by-law.
Motion to adjourn at 8:25 pm was made and seconded. All agreed
Respectfully submitted,
Heather Mangelinkx
Approved ~~~ ~ i ~ , ~ Q ~