HomeMy WebLinkAbout08112015 Nantucket Agriculture Commission MinutesNantucket Agricultural Commission
Minutes from August 11th, 2015
In Attendance:
Patty Myers
John Kuszpa
Campbell Sutton
Tracy Pattenden
Richard Arnold
Not In Attendance:
Michelle Whelan
Adgenda:
1. Set agenda for next meeting -
a.Set agenda for next meeting-
b.approve minutes from 8.11.15 meeting
c.On-going discussion-
i.Rooster regs. suggestions for BOH- get together for BOH
d.open discussion
e.future objectives
f.set time, place and date for next meeting
g.adjourn
2.Approve minutes from 7.09.15 meeting- Campbell Motions, Patti Seconds all approve.
3.ongoing discussion- livestock updates- when will we have suggestions
4.Open discussion-
a.update on where we stand on roosters- big issue is basically roosters,
b.Malcolm Mcnab- BOH feels public would like regs should be shorter and deal
with rooster issue, falls under BOH due to mass law. Our view is ag com can make
suggestions and BOH can put together with another public hearing. Regs are old,
need ones that are appropriate to nantucket. Visitor- new regs need grandfather
clause. Tracy- rooster complaints mostly from orange st near rotary and on
sparks. Law comes in on filth and rodent infestation. We are here to promote ag.
Campbell - every town has BOH regulate animals. Malcolm-summarize position:
we have old reg that need to be updated, incl proper rooster nuisance regs,
looking to ag com for advice. Campbell- we would like to work with BOH.
Roberto- it is not intention of boh to harm ag on island, they have received a lot
of nuisance issues, working with town manager for feasibility of no-crow collar,
look at best solution.Malcom- when would we have the suggestions? Campbell-
simple solutions, october. Malcolm- animal control office has some input also.
Susan- ag has declined, pop has grown, wants to protect the rights of people
wanting to do Ag. Protect rights of animal owners Richard- wants to take
advantage of Roberto having time and being on staff. Roberto has put together
regs in Everett, MA on roosters. Roberto- Article 21d non criminal disposition-
ability to fine for any violation- can be used against rooster nuisance complaints,
mass general law that allows if those fines reach a certain threshold, can be used
as a lien on the property.
c.Visitors- Malcolm McNab- president of BOH, Roberto Santamaria new head of
BOH, Tony Picciano.
5.future objectives
a.live stock regs-
b.right to farm bill- michelle heading and not present
c.challenging the greenhouse law-under zoning, richard can look into it,
d.water restriction and size of lawns (drains aquifers, pollutes harbor (harms
shellfish farming), pollutes air
e.get all the other boards together (invasives,shellfish)- campbell is on it at least for
boh
f.updating website- put links to brochures Pete gave us on town website- John- will
do-
6.Set Date, Time, and Place for next meeting- September 8th -2nd Tuesday at 4pm-town
meeting room. Next time and then 7pm at police after. Campbell will look into tues 7 pm
at police
7.Adjourn
Meeting Start: 4:06 pm
Adjourned: 5:12 pm