HomeMy Public PortalAboutAgriculture Commission -- 2006-11-09 MinutesMINUTES of the MEETING of
The BREWSTER AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION
Held Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
At the Brewster Town Office Building, 2198 Main Street, Room A
Present: Peter Herrmann, Heather Mangelinkx, Dave Carlson, Julie Trzcinski
Mr. Herrmann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., minutes of the October 12, 2006
meeting were accepted and unanimously approved by the board.
Selectman Tim Foley came to the meeting as our liaison between the Agricultural Comm.
and the Selectmen. We questioned our next step we should take in promoting the by-law.
The selectmen are concerned that the by-law was too far reaching and that the
Agricultural Commission was taking the role of regulatory when we were suppose to be
an advisory committee. Mr. Foley is pro farm and wants to be educated in our role and
understand the issues of the by-law so that he may educate the other selectmen.
The idea of changing the by-law to a softer tone was discussed:
Mr. Carlson presented the fact that the Mass Attorney General has already approved this
by-law and we were told we shouldn't change the way it was written. The by-law puts the
laws out front to the public.
Mr. Herrmann noted that it puts the laws in one document but does not change any laws
that are already on the Massachusetts books.
Mr. Robert Speakman spoke that he wants the townspeople to understand the rights of the
farmer.
Mr. Carlson asked about other information we should have to present the by-law to the
other boards.
Mr. Foley said the selectmen need to educate themselves about farms.
Ms. Trzcinski said we are drawing up a map locating the farms in Brewster and she will
get him a copy of this map.
Mr. Foley said that is very important so people understand how many farms and the
variety of farms that are in Brewster. Mr. Foley said his next meeting with the selectmen
is December 4~' and he will discuss our issues with his board and report back to us at our
next meeting on December 14a'.
Mr. Hernnann asked Mr. Foley about a budget for printing and other expenses we may
have, Mr. Foley said these will probably come out of the town administrative budget and
we should be receiving budget request forms shortly.
Suggestions were made about using the Chamber of Commerce for advertising about
Brewster farms and also newspaper articles to help show the diversity of farms.
Motion to adjourn at 8:37 was made and all agreed.
Respectfully submitted,
Heather Mangelinkx
Approved ~) -::r~ i i - ~ :~ ~ 7
MINUTES of the MEETING of
The BREWSTER AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION
Held Thursday, December 14, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
At the Brewster Town Office Building, 2198 Main Street, Room B
Present: Peter Herrmann, Heather Mangelinkx, Rebecca Howes
Meeting was cancelled. Members went to meeting being held by Donald Liptack, of the
U.S Dept. of Agriculture discussing federal funds for aquaculture.
Respectfully submitted.
Heather Mangelinkx
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