HomeMy WebLinkAbout10222015 Nantucket Agriculture Commission MinutesNantucket Agricultural Commission
Minutes from October 22nd, 2015
In Attendance:
John Kuszpa
Campbell Sutton
Richard Arnold
Michelle Whelan
Not In Attendance:
Patty Myers
Tracey Pattenden
Agenda:
1.CALL TO ORDER
2.ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA Campbell motions, Michelle 2nds all in favor
3.APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 Campbell motions to approve as amended, John seconds,all
in favor
4.PUBLIC COMMENT No public present
5.OFFICIAL BUSINESS
a.Review status of Board of Health and keeping of animals regulations preview Officer Gales
recommendations.office gales reccomendations not availiable, Concerned is raised in adding in
animals beyond roosters, Animal permitting process needs to be supported and have consiquences
BOH has roosters as a nuisance which may be in conflict with state farm protections. Gales bylaw
amendment adding roosters to nuisance animals to include farm animals is a concern, already dog
barking in bylaws, we should concentrate on farm animals, keep it simple, let's wait and see what
susie brings before discussing more michelle wants to state that we need to look at what could be
misinterpreted, motionjohn, campbell seconds, all in favor
b.Update the right to farm bylaw and finalize wording. this template is used in many towns,
campbell wonders if our small lots matter in use island wide issue on lot sizes, customary home
business is ok in all zoning, people may challenge a farming activity based on lot size. If we are
going to get Marcus here ask him how he would deal with certain scenarios based on farming. smart
growth state program, passing right to farm bylaw gives points for that, benefit to the town,
michelle will find out how to propose bylaw and deadline for town meeting, Motion to approve as
given by state on mass dept of ag website michelle motions, richard seconds, campbell abstains,
john approves. Motion to submit the right to farm bylaw to the appropriate authorities to get on
town meeting agenda Michelle motions, john seconds, john agrees, campbell abstains
6.FINALIZE WEBSITE UPDATES
a.future link to livestock permit
b.www.massagcom.org
c.farm loans
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/programsandservices/farmloanprograms/beginnin
gfarmersandranchersloans/
d.Begining farmer info federal
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/newfarmers?navid=newfarmers and
Massachusets beggining farmer site: http://bfnmass.org/
e.Legal help
http://www.clf.org/ourwork/healthycommunities/farmandfoodinitiative/leg
alservicesfoodhub/
f.www.sustainable nantucket.org
g.large animal vet southeast mass vet referral list John will look it up
h.links to future Nuisance animal bylaw
i.PETE WESTOVER state ag rep westover03@comcast.net
j.www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/agr/ is the official site for dept. of ag resources at state level.
k.links to mass general laws mentioned in right to farm bylaw
l.link to proposed right to farm bylaw (one we have) mass dept of ag link michelle will get to
m.link to mypetchicken.
n.state extension service for massachusetts se office
o.Motion to approve posting of web links campbell, 1st, michelle 2nd, all in favor
7.DISCUSSION OF FUTURE OBJECTIVES
a.Livestock regulationsmove down in priority keep abreast of developments
b.Right to farm bill1st priority
c.review zoning on greenhouses bring to law next meeting,
d.See if Marcuswould come to next meeting to discuss zoning law
8.SET TIME DATE AND PLACE FOR NEXT MEETING extra meeting November 19th 2015 at the hospital
dorm conference room 6;30 pm
9.ADJOURN
Meeting Start: 6:39 pm
Adjourned: 7:36pm