Agriculture Commission 2_8_2012 minutesNorthampton Agricultural Commission
7:00 Wednesday February 8, 2012
210 Main Street, Room 11, Northampton
Members present: Chair John Omasta, Vice Chair Rich Jaescke, John Kelly, John Bobala, Robert Vollinger, Chip Parsons, and Ben James.
John Omasta opened the meeting at 7:15 PM.
January 17 and February 8, 2012 Minutes: Upon motion by Rich Jaescke and second by Chip Parsons, the Commission voted unanimously to approve minutes as presented.
Discussion of Farmers Forum: The Commission reviewed the Farmers Forum and was pleased with the ability to get information out and spark discussion. They discussed opportunities for
the next annual forum to have a different format to serve farmers.
Smith School as a venue
Different vendors (e.g., drip irrigation, machinery, fertilizer, seed, greenhouse) to meet farmers from Northampton and surrounding communities and explore what the future market needs
will be.
Especially focus on emerging growers
Joint with neighboring Agriculture Commissions
Explore with DAR or state level as to other efforts in this area
Opportunity to help farmers—what supplies do the need and can’t get locally
Opportunity to keep more farmers dollars local
Not vendors showing product but exploring how to grow the local market
The Agriculture Commission agreed to go before the Board of Public Works on March 28 at 5:30 PM as a follow up to discussion about meadows roads.
Other
Brief discussion of problems with dogs at Smith Voc Agriculture state hospital parcel
Agriculture Commission recommends that the Montview farmland, and any other farmland, should be left for the next farmer with a cover crop (rye etc) or perennials, no brush, and Ph maintained
at a healthy level, with good stewardship. They identified the overgrown brush and wood chips and structures as problems on the site.
Executive Session: Upon motion by John Kelly and second by Ben James the Commission voted unanimously by roll call vote to go into Executive Session to consider the purchase, exchange,
lease or value of real estate. Upon motion by John Omasta, second by Richard Jaescke the Commission voted unanimously by roll call vote to adjourn executive session. In open session,
and upon motion by John Kelly and second by Chip Parsons, the Commission voted unanimously to have the public record reflect that the Commission voted in executive session to give the
planning director advice on land acquisition.
Adjourn: The Commission agreed to adjourn at 9:00 PM.
Northampton Agricultural Commission
7:00 Wednesday February 8, 2012 (executive session)
210 Main Street, Room 11, Northampton
Members present: Chair John Omasta, Vice Chair Rich Jaescke, John Kelly, John Bobala, Robert Vollinger, Chip Parsons, and Ben James.
Executive Session: Upon motion by John Kelly and second by Ben James the Commission voted unanimously by roll call vote to go into Executive Session to consider the purchase, exchange,
lease or value of real estate.
Wayne Feiden presented a proposal to make an offer to purchase, and hopefully purchase, an agriculture preservation restriction on the land owned by Charles Jasinski in the Meadows on
the easterly side of the interstate. Funding to come from the CPA Local Agriculture Preservation Restriction fund and possibly by deeding over the “Rogers” parcels subject to an APR.
Upon motion by John Bobala and second by Richard Jaescke, the Commission voted unanimously to support such an effort.
Wayne Feiden presented a proposal to make an offer to accept a donation of the parcel of land Charles Jasinski owns adjacent to Sheldon Field Recreation Area, with consideration being
Mr. Jasinski keeping a 15 year lease (after the expiration of his current lease in five years) to farm both the donated parcel and the other farmland at Sheldon Field. The Commission
expressed concern about losing such valuable farmland (great soils, no stones, not subject to frequent flooding), but they also expressed an understanding of the need to think about
recreation needs 20 years out. They expressed hope that any such acquisition would include provision that some land at the new Sheldon Field be reserved for future agricultural uses,
although they indicated that they understood that there are unknowns in planning for recreation uses more than 20 years out.
Upon motion by John Omasta, second by Richard Jaescke the Commission voted unanimously by roll call vote to adjourn executive session.
In open session, and upon motion by John Kelly and second by Chip Parsons, the Commission voted unanimously to have the public record reflect that the Commission voted in executive session
to give the planning director advice on land acquisition.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES RELEASED MARCH 22, 2012