 |
TOWN OF GRANBY
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
April 14, 2010
PRESENT: Michelle Niedermeyer, Chairman; Kate Bogli, Don Butler, Stanley Hayes, Stephen Hayes, Elaine Neuman, Ann Wilhelm
GUESTS: Matt Garrett, Erin Pirro, Jonathan Pirro
Ms. Neidermeyer confirmed a quorum and began the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
APPROVE MINUTES
Upon review of last month’s minutes, Kate Bogli stated she had abstained from voting on the minutes of January 13, 2010. Also, Erin and Jonathan Pirro, guests at the March meeting, were not listed in the attendance. ON A MOTION BY Don Butler, seconded by Kate Bogli, the minutes of March 10, 2010 were approved as corrected.
UPDATE ON WEBSITE:
Stephen Hayes will contact Ms. Neidermeyer via e-mail and set up a time to show her how to update the website.
UPDATE ON GRANBY SAMPLER:
- MaryAnn Curling will coordinate tasks for the Granby Sampler. The first step is determining which farmers are willing to contribute, problem solving, i.e., working with the farmers who will be contributing the same items, etc.
- Ms. Neidermeyer will put together a fact sheet regarding the program and will reiterate that it is a pilot project. She will bring the draft to next month's meeting for the Commission to review.
UPDATE ON FARM MAP:
- As a result of the Farm Forum, a printed agricultural map will be created. There will be a fee for those who wish to be on the map and approximately 20 individuals have responded so far. Once the cost of printing the map is determined, the cost will be divided among the participating parties. The final draft should be ready this week and it will be sent to the participants to be proofed.
FARM FORUM - OTHER NEXT STEPS:
- The printed map was a result of the farm forum and as stated earlier, the final draft should be ready this week.
SIGN MEETING:
Due to the number of people who had contacted Fran Armentano regarding signs, he had requested a meeting be scheduled to discuss the issue.
- Directional signs cannot be put on State highways. It is possible to add signs where a town street interfaces with a State highway.
- A special permit is needed to have a light on a sign.
- The Commission can keep the sandwich board on the green. It will advertise the Agricultural Commission and will include the website address. Events should change regularly so people continue to look at it.
USE OF TOWN LAND FOR AGRICULTURE:
- The Town Manager would like the Commission to create guidelines for use of Town land for agriculture and give a recommendation to the Town. The Commission began looking at this in the past and Ms. Neidermeyer sent the draft to the Commission members via e-mail. This will be discussed at next month's meeting. Commission members should come prepared with specific changes and be prepared to vote on the document.
COORDINATION WITH HOLCOMB FARM FOR 2010:
- Ms. Neidermeyer will send out an e-mail to the distribution list to inform them of the spring festival which will be held on June 5th.
- The Commission will partner with Holcomb Farm on the Summer Film Festival.
OTHER NEW BUSINESS:
- Ms. Wilhelm will coordinate the display for the library and will ask for assistance if needed. Please e-mail any suggestions to her. Peter Dinella will provide photographs.
- Please send any ideas for next month's Drummer to Ms. Bogli. There will be a question and answer section each month. Ms. Bogli would also like to add an article about the Granby Sampler and have it on the same page. Ms. Piro was asked if she could submit an article on sheep shearing which she may be able to do for the June edition.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
ON A MOTION BY Ann Wilhelm, seconded by Elaine Neuman, the Commission voted (7-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Kane
Recording Secretary
| |
