Agriculture Commission Minutes March 18_2015Northampton Agricultural Commission
Agenda
7:30 PM Wednesday March 18, 2015
210 Main Street, Room 10 (2nd floor, City Hall), Northampton, MA
Members present:
Chair John Omasta
Chip Parsons
Stan Zawalick
Vice Chair Rich Jaescke
Tim Smith
John Bobala
Robert Vollinger
Wayne Feiden (staff)
Public comment—Caitlin Marquis introduced herself as someone interested in agriculture.
Approval of Agriculture Commission minutes of February 11, 2015—upon motion by Chip Parsons and second by Bob Vollinger, the Commission unanimously approved the minutes.
American Farmland Trust (AFT) organized agriculture policy—staff informed the commission that AFT is leading a focus group to address gaps in state agriculture policy, but did not have
any more details.
Farmland preservation and related open space activity, if any
-Baye property: There have been some title issues, but the city will close as soon as those have been addressed.
-Hockanum Road and Valley Field Road: The commission reviewed this potentially surplus property. They suggested outreach to the abutting farmers to see if any want any portion of the
property, and otherwise had no objection to the city transferring the property to the US Conte Fish and Wildlife Refuge.
-Venturers’ Field Road: The commission reviewed the status of the former state jail farm. They supported filing legislation to have the property transferred to the city, subject to
a state held Agriculture Preservation Restriction. They recommended that first opportunity to lease the farmland go to abutting farmers.
Right to Farm signage: They city has identified two former signs to provide the base for two new right-to-farm signs, but has not yet contracted for the sign construction.
Set date for next meeting: Commission members agreed to have a site visit (tour and questions but no actions) at the Grow Food Northampton Farm in lieu of an April meeting. Next Agriculture
Commission meeting: 7:30 PM Wednesday May 6, 2015
Upon motion by Chip Parsons and second by Bob Vollinger, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:30 PM.