Agriculture Commission Agenda and Minutes January 14_2015Northampton Agricultural Commission
Agenda
7:00 PM Wednesday January 14, 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—No public comment
Approval of Agriculture Commission Minutes of December 3, 2014—upon motion by Robert Vollinger and second by Stan Zawalick, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes.
Debrief of Joint December 11 Conservation and Agriculture Commissions meeting—John Bobala reported that the commission discussed the need to get Meadows’ roads graded in the spring,
and every spring and to gate the Meadow, especially to stop evening use of the Meadows. He reported that Commissioners were supportive, although they took no votes and no actions were
required.
Debrief ofJanuary 9, 2015 Hampshire and Franklin County agriculture commissions forum—Commissioners concluded that the forum went well and the simple format should be used in the future.
There was discussion that agriculture commissions could have two meetings a year, one a formal workshop and one a simple facilitated discussion such as the January 9th meeting. Staff
will reach out to MAAC to see if they are willing to coordinate next year. Richard Jaescke reported that the ideas he was most inspired by was figuring out how to do agriculture education
at Northampton High School and JFK Middle School and creating a brochure on right to farm and farming issues. He also thought that Agriculture Commission should try to get a seat on
the CPA and CPA funds for agriculture issues.
Plan future agriculture commission/public works meeting—Commissioners agreed to try to attend the March public works meeting to discuss meadows road maintenance issues. Staff will contact
DPW to see if the commission can get on their agenda.
Other items not identified when the agenda was written
Richard Jaeske suggested that if a Baye parcel/Rainbow Beach swap happens we should make sure that we don’t lose farmland to a parking lot. He thought that a simple pull of adjacent
to the road that didn’t eat up farmland was reasonable.
The Commission reviewed a letter asking for any advice on available farmland for a farmer who wants to rent to grow vegetables. Commissioners suggested he look at underutilized land
on Potash Road.
Set date for next meeting—Wednesday February 11, 2015 at 7:00 PM.
Upon motion by John Omasta and second by Richard Jaescke, the commission unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:10 PM.