Agriculture Commission Agenda and Minutes October 23_2013Northampton Agricultural Commission
Agenda and Minutes
7:00 PM Wednesday October 23, 2013
210 Main Street (City Hall) Room 10, Northampton
Members present: Chair John Omasta (7:25 pm), Vice Chair Rich Jaescke, John Bobala, Chip Parsons, Robert Vollinger, and Stan Zawalick. Rich Jaescke opened the meeting at 7:04 PM.
Working session for January Agriculture Forum: The commission met with Pete Westover (MDAR contractor) and gave informal comments on the draft agenda.
Public Comment: The commission suggested that comments on the Meadows Roads should take place during that item. There were no other public comments.
Approval of Agriculture Commission Minutes of September 25, 2013: Upon motion by Chip Parsons and second by John Bobala, the Commission voted unanimously to approve.
Chair John Omasta arrived and began chairing the meeting.
Schedule of upcoming meetings: The commission set:
7:00 PM Wed. November 20th, Room 11, 210 Main Street, City Hall
7:00 PM Wed. December 11, 2013 (final Keep Farming presentation), Hearing Room
Status of Meadows Roads and public access: The Commission discussed what information exists in city GIS and elsewhere to create a draft map for comments on where the public has legal
access. Staff will present a draft map at the November meeting. Public comment (Rick Clark) urged the Commission to support public access and representing that the public has the right
to access the meadows on any road ever shown on any historic map.
Brainstorming on vendors who should be invited to share their services at the Agriculture Forum (and Commission members who will do the outreach after the November meeting):
Amherst Farm Exchange, Greenfield Farm Exchanges, Orchard Equipment (Rich Jaeske)
Devon Lane, Sirum Equipment, Northwood Power Equipment, Bacon’s Power Equipment, Easthampton Feed (John Omasta)
Stanton, Whately Livestock Auction, Paul Peck Seed, Helena Chemical (Chip Parsons)
Allpower, Tractor Supply (John Bobala)
Orchard Hill (Robert Vollinger)
Election of officers: Upon motion by Chip Parsons and second by John Babola, the Commission voted unanimously to re-elect John Omasta Chair and Rich Jaeske Vice Chair.
Upon motion by Chip Parsons and second by Rich Jaeske, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn (8:40 PM).