HomeMy WebLinkAbout04142016 Nantucket Agriculture Commission MinutesNantucket Agricultural Commission
Minutes from April 14, 2016
In Attendance:
John Kuszpa
Michelle Whelan
Richard Arnold
Tracey Pattenden
Campbell Sutton
CALLED TO ORDER 6:32 PM
1.ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA Tracey motions, Michelle seconds
2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES from February 11, 2015 – tabled to next meeting
3.PUBLIC COMMENT Tracey recuses herself and states that she has issues with the Nuisance bylaw and is
uncomfortable with Ag Commissioners having discussed Ag Com desire for language protecting agriculture
to be inserted into the bylaw with Suzy outside of a Commission meeting. Tracey had additional concerns
about the language.
4.OFFICIAL BUSINESS
a. Status of Suzie Gale’s bylaw: approved at town meeting
b. Status of Right to Farm bylaw: “ “
c.Campbell asks if the Ag Commission can be consulted (by the Town) on potential Town owned properties as
ag land. There is pending legislation to do with this, John suggests this be put on next month’s agenda.
d. Discuss town greenhouse zoning. Campbell has done this research and determined greenhouses are
allowed in any zone on the island.
e. Discuss filling seat 7 add seat 6 to that as Patty has resigned. Campbell will ask to make sure Ag
Commission vacancies ares listed in the paper. Aquaculture representative is suggested comment from
public (Abby Slosek) suggested a beekeeper. Michelle will ask Jim Gross. Tom Larrabee Jr. was Richard’s
suggestion which he will discuss with Tom.
f. Ad for Island Fair in Nantucket Grown Town became Fiscal agent for the fair when park and rec broke
up. Suggested ad representing Ag Commission “Did You Know:? Nantucket is a RighttoFarm Community
with a 7member Agricultural Commission.” With reference to commission website
www.nantucketma,gov/agcommission… (Richard motioned, John seconded).
g. Review existing farm surveys from Ag Commision and Sustainable Nantucket. Campbell read through
2011 survey results and will submit a copy at next meeting.
h.Michelle leaves meeting at 7:30
i. Discuss working cooperatively with Island Fair and Sustainable Nantucket. If the fair is open to the idea
we could invite them to a meeting. Put on adgenda discuss ways Ag Com and Sustainable can support the
Island Fair.
j.Add to an upcoming agenda master list of community ag people.
k.Add to an upcoming agenda – creating Ag Commission Facebook page.
l. New business for discussion Campbell to bring in booklet on backyard chickens. Funding Commission
needs to ask BoS what monies might be avaiable to cover incidental expensives i.e. advertising/public
servace announcements.Put on upcoming adgenda.
m.Notes to put into the next agenda: Special Commission, Tracey’s language, summer schedule...
5.SET TIME/DATE/PLACE FOR NEXT MEETING 5/12 6:30pm, PSF training room
Adjournement: Campbell motions, Richard seconds, with all in favor. Meeting ended 7:47 PM