HomeMy WebLinkAbout 2021-4-2 AGENDA
Nantucket Land Bank Commission tl ' 4 tJ
Special Meeting of April 2, 2021 `` ' Y L
168 Hummock Pond Road,Nantucket, MA
2021 itFR 16 PSS 3: 0 ;
CALL TO ORDER: 9:00 A.M.
A. CONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
1. PUBLIC COMMENT/ STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS
2. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
a. Sustainable Nantucket— Tour of Facility/Review Infrastructure Requests
ADJOURNMENT
MINUTES
Nantucket Land Bank Commission
Special Meeting of April 2, 2021
168 Hummock Pond Road
CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mark Donato, Kristina Jelleme,Neil Paterson, Allen Reinhard, John Stackpole.
STAFF PRESENT: Eric Savetsky, Executive Director; Rachael Freeman, Environmental
Coordinator.
Posie Constable, Peter Brace, Aiden Feeney and Dan Southey of Sustainable Nantucket were also
present at call to order.
I. CONVENE IN OPEN SESSION:
A. PUBLIC COMMENT/ STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
B. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT:
1. Sustainable Nantucket ("SN") —Tour of Facility/Review Infrastructure Requests:
Ms. Constable introduced the SN Farm by describing its origins as a 2-acre farm institute with 1/8
of an acre plots designed for inexperienced farmers to learn how to grow crops. In the past few
years, the farm lease with the Land Bank was expanded to include an additional 6 acres. This past
year, the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture had grant money available and Ms. Constable
applied for, and received the money. Ms. Constable acknowledged that, in retrospect. she should
have asked the landlord first for permission to install the various structures prior to applying for the
grant. However, she is requesting permission from them today as she has the money in hand.
The Commission entered the heated greenhouse as the first request is to convert the existing storage
shed into a heated greenhouse. To do that, SN is proposing to convert the existing poly into solar
wrap and install propane heaters and fans. Mr. Feeney added that, although solar wrap is more
costly than poly, it is a longer-term solution and can last up to 50 years.
Ms. Constable explained that they are also proposing to install a third greenhouse on the eastern
side of the existing heated greenhouse, which is approximately 22' x 48'. In addition, the packing
shed, where the greens are package for sale in the summer months, will be moved between the cold
storage shed and the pump house. CPC money was granted to upgrade the current pumps to more
energy efficient models.
The Food Rescue program has their cold storage container on the SN property and last year, due to
COVID, the farmers were able to use it to store their crops. Mr. Feeney stated that, since they
mostly grow greens, the biggest bottleneck for the farmers last year was cold storage. With the
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April 2, 2021
addition of the farm stand, the farmers anticipate an increased need for cold storage this growing
season. Mr. Savetsky asked whether they felt that the proposed Coolbot storage units were likely to
be approved by HDC.
The Commission continued to walk out the main farm road while representatives of SN, Ms.
Constable, Mr. Feeney, and Mr. Southey, all described various agricultural activities occurring on
the farm. As the existing storage shed is proposed to become a heated greenhouse, there is a new
storage shed proposed for the southern side of the main farm road. The new storage shed would be
similar to the other hoop houses and approximately 24' wide by 30' deep.
Mr. Feeney and Mr. Southey showed the proposed locations of their Colbot storage units. Mr.
Feeney's unit is proposed to the east of his greenhouse whereas Mr. Southey's unit is proposed to
be to the north of his greenhouse.
The drainage issues on the northern end of the farm were discussed. Mr. Savetsky mentioned that he
would like SN to work with the Land Bank to create swales and vegetated ditches that would help
to uptake any excess nutrients in the water.
Ms. Freeman and Mr. Savetsky asked whether SN had considered access to Pat's puddle in the re-
configuration of the license area and field expansion. Sustainable is planning to keep the existing
corridor open both for wildlife and people.
Mr. Brace, honey bee mentor, is requesting to install a 10' x 20' shed, from Structures Unlimited, to
store the extractor, bee keeping supplies, and hold classes. An added benefit is that the shed could
act as a wind block to protect the hives.
Ms. Constable was asked to prioritize the proposed projects by Mr. Savetsky. She stated that the
$55,000 from MDAR, which covers the cost of the greenhouses and 1 cold storage unit, was
priority as it had to be used (structures purchased, installed and report submitted) by June 30th. The
other cold storage unit, bee shed and high efficiency pumps, are funded through CPC and need to be
approved at Town Meeting on June 5th
The Commissioners, Mr. Savetsky and Ms. Freeman thanked Ms. Constable, Mr. Feeney and Mr.
Southey for their time and entered into the heated greenhouse for further discussion. Mr. Savetsky
and Ms. Freeman discussed plans for hiring an agricultural consultant and how that could improve
on the Land Bank's farm lease program going forward. Commissioner Jelleme offered that she
preferred all structures on the northern side of the property, which would leave the southern side
and additional acreage as farm fields. Commissioners Reinhard, Stackpole, Paterson and Donato
concurred. It was decided that Mr. Savetsky would reach out to Ms. Constable and ask her to
relocate any structures proposed for the southern side of the property to the northern side to
minimize the visual impact of the infrastructure.
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April 2, 2021
ADJOURNMENT: Upon a motion made by Commissioner Reinhard and duly seconded by
Commissioner Donato, it was VOTED to adjourn at 10:05 a.m.
Attested to:
Mark Donato, Secretary
Accepted, Approved, and Released by the VOTE
of the Commission this 13th day of April 2021.
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Neil Paterson, Chairman