HomeMy WebLinkAbout07092015 Nantucket Agriculture Commission MinutesNantucket Agricultural Commission
Minutes from July 9th, 2015
In Attendance:
Patty Myers
John Kuszpa
Campbell Sutton
Tracy Pattenden
Not In Attendance:
Richard Arnold
Michelle Whelan
Adgenda:
1. Set agenda for next meeting -
a. Set agenda for next meeting-
b. approve minutes from 6.18.15 meeting
c. On-going discussion
d. open discussion
e. future objectives
f. set time, place and date for next meeting
g. adjourn
2. Approve minutes from 6.18.15 meeting-
3. ongoing discussion- livestock updates
4. Open discussion-
a. Karl Ottison- 170 orange st- roosters, more than annoying, full moon, 4 am
intollerable, neighbor has a rooster, they talked now she can keep rooster quiet
till 7am. Birds in close proximity, cooperation needed. Disturbing the peace, like
barking dog, handle the same. Rooster owners have an obligation to others.
Campbell- What did neighbor do to keep bird quiet? Same as nuisance, same as
other noise restrictions. Carl wants to be keep informed on the process.
b. Liz Reinemo- 6 new town rd- backs up to sparks ave, multiple roosters, start
crowing at 3 am. wakes up her 20 month old baby. Cops say they cannot do
anything about roosters. Police refused to help, talked to Art BOH. Concerned
about rats also. (4 sparks ave?) Campbell- regulation is for more residencial areas
vs rural areas.
c. July Reinemo-Her tenant (Debbie McNulty) wrote a letter about the issue, she
has a back bedroom facing the chickens. Chicken was on a tether. Tried for 5
years now with police and BOH. Campbell- proposed rules state 1 rooster under
2 acres, 7 am - 10 am. not to annoy people. We can go to board of selectment. But
need to get everybody together, police, boh, animal owners. Suzie has nothing to
go on no way to do anything. No place to bring animals. Is there is a sq ft
reccomendation for housing?
d. Campbell motions that Ag com makes a strong recommendation to BOS that
rooster complaints fall under noise and nusance regs and treated equally.
Cooperation is needed between boh, animal control and bos. Want complaints
addressed in a timely fashion as with other noise complaints. Cooperation by the
rooster owner is expected. We need a place to put the animals. Dog is given 3
chances after biting. Sounds like animals dont have enough space, bad housing.
Lack of enforcement of boh permit applications. Need enforcement of permit.
Needs to be in program under animal complaints. We would know where animals
are and be able to advise owners. We need a copy of state animal control laws. We
are hear to protect ag. Campbell- we are not a regulatory board. MOTION- Tracy
not ok with bos being involved. Animal control is state regulated. Recommends
removing motion.
e. Campbell- Motions to not meet until October- Patty- doesn’t want to meet during
the day. John doesn’t want to put out new people. Patti wants to go back to
evening meetings. John proposes tuesdays at 4 pm- August 11th.
5. future objectives-
a. live stock regs,
b. right to farm bill,
c. challenging the greenhouse law
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)
f. updating website- put links to brochures Pete gave us on town website.
6. Set Date, Time, and Place for next meeting- August -2nd Tuesdays at 4pm (1pm)- town
conference room
7. Adjourn
Meeting Start: 13:07
Adjourned: 14:24