HomeMy WebLinkAboutFAC Minutes 6.7.16Page 1 of 2
Fertilizer Advisory Committee
Meeting
Town of Nantucket
16 Broad Street
Nantucket, Massachusetts 02554
www.nantucket-ma.gov
Members: Michael Misurelli (chair), Gregory Raith (Vice chair), Mark Lucas, Cormac Collier, Ben Champoux,
Steven Collette, Frederick McClure
Staff: Jeff Carlson, Roberto Santamaria
~~ MINUTES ~~
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
4 Fairgrounds Road, Training Room – 10:30 pm
Called to order at 10:36 a.m.
Staff in attendance: R. Santamaria, Health Director; Jeff Carlson, Natural Resources Director
Attending Members: Michael Misurelli (chair), Gregory Raith (Vice-chair), Cormac Collier, Ben
Champoux, Steven Collette, Mark Lucas
Absent Members: , Frederick McClure
Agenda adopted by unanimous consent
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS
II. PUBLIC COMMENTS – ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC MAY ADDRESS MEMBERS AT THIS TIME
1. Lee Saperstein, expressed that the “Nantucket Blue Pages” can be an effective tool in connecting with
landscapers, retailers, and other outreach
2. Roberto Santamaria – Introduced Emma Ospelt as the department’s summer intern, and explained that her
specialization will be in water quality.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approved by consensus.
Recused None
Documentation None
Discussion Santamaría – Presented draft charter.
Lucas – Add “groundwater” in the first paragraph and a bullet point regarding retailers and
education, guidance, and assistance. Otherwise it looks good.
Saperstein – Should reference the Board of Health regulations somewhere in the document
Raith – Looks good. For retailers, Island Lumber already agreed to participate, but Marine Home
is proving to be a little more complicated, as it has a much more corporate structure.
Lucas – we can look into creating a list of compliant products and list them on the website and
distribute to retailers to help with getting the word out.
Saperstein – Using a “Push-pull” strategy in retail may work. If we push compliant products over
non-compliant products, the retailers are more likely to pull the non-compliant products.
Raith – Some products might be able to be “Certified” or “Endorsed” by the committee as
compliant
Misurelli – products made by the smaller companies tend to be easier to adapt
IV. CHARTER REVIEW
Page 2 of 2
Santamaría – Gave overview of enforcement number and basic ideas for the future
Motion to Adjourn: 11:37 a.m.
Submitted by:
Roberto J. Santamaria
V. EDUCATION GOALS
Discussion
Action
Vote
Misurelli – Get information on what compliant products are. Then that can be distributed out
Collier – Can the nutrient calculations be done quickly?
Lucas – Not always. There are no federal or state regulations that standardize the method in
which the nutrients are displayed.
Carlson – we can create stickers that indicate compliance
Collier – Harrell’s 18-0-9 always complies
Lucas – But it has to be applied correctly
Carlson – Will look into the legality of using the words “approved” and “Compliant” when it
comes to labeling fertilizer
Santamaría – Website has been updated to show more information. Looking to create quick
videos of compliant methodology and training
Carlson – Having on-demand training is the best way
Saperstein – will be happy to help with development
Misurelli – Two trainings a year is not adequate. Must look into creating more accessible trainings.
Collier – Will be doing a lot of homeowner outreach this summer through the civic league and
homeowners associations. More information is key.
Misurelli – Creating an education program for next year is important. No more education
programs this summer.
Collette – There are many people who do not understand why certain things should not be used.
Rose tone is a major no-no, but gardeners don’t know why. We need to reach those people.
Collier – BMP is geared more toward turf rather than gardens
Misurelli – BMP is a living document, may need to add a section on gardens.
Carlson – some people do not know how to read the bags either
Champoux – Yes. “Organic” does not always mean “good” or “compliant”
Lucas – look into reaching out to gardeners, as they do not always comply
Collier – Phosphorous, soil, & organics education may be a good place to start.
VI. ENFORCEMENT