Agriculture Commission Agenda and Minutes November 20_2013Northampton Agricultural Commission
Agenda and Minutes
7:00 PM Wednesday November 20, 2013
210 Main Street (City Hall) Room 10, Northampton
Members present: Chair John Omasta, Vice Chair Rich Jaescke, John Bobala, Chip Parsons, and Robert Vollinger, as well as future member, Maggie Gifford.
John Omasta opened the meeting at 7:03 PM.
Agenda
Public Comment: there was no public comment
Approval of Agriculture Commission Minutes of October 24, 2013: Upon motion by Chip Parsons and second by Rich Jaescke, the Commission voted unanimously to approve.
Vendor, farmer, and community outreach for January Agriculture Forum: The commission members discussed vendor outreach has occurred and what is planned. Planning will mail invites
to all Northampton farmers the first week in December.
Distribution of updated DRAFT map on public access in the Hockanum Meadows and kickoff of outreach effort requesting more information: The commission discussed the first draft map.
Planning will mail a copy of the map to owners of agricultural land in the Hockanum Meadows and ask if they have any input. Planning has also initiated a title abstract of the one owner
unknown parcel in the Hockanum Meadows.
Update on other pending items
No parking by water standpipes—Chip Parsons reported that the signs have not yet been installed.
Updates on road maintenance—the commission will write a letter to 1) DPW thanking them for the work that they have done with the increased maintenance of Meadows roads this year, and
request that those efforts continue and 2) the Police Department asking them to monitor roads in the meadows, especially Riverbank Road, to ensure that that there is a 12’ wide open
travel lane even when cars are parked.
Right to farm ordinance and pesticides/herbicides- the commission briefly discussed that Grow Food Northampton has asked for time on the Conservation Commission agenda to oppose the
use of pesticides and herbicides on farmland the commission leases. The commissioners opposed any blanket policy that would prohibit herbicides on all conservation land, preferring
a case by case analysis of how the farmland can remain in active agriculture.
City stormwater ordinance and farmland- the Commission supported sending comments to DPW and City Council ensuring that large agricultural landowners only pay one stormwater fee (maximum
$100) even if they own multiple parcels, that protected farmland and open space not pay any fee, and that the stormwater ordinance acknowledge the ecosystem services provided by farmland
and open space in holding stormwater and so credit farmers and landowners for these services.
Upon motion by Rich Jaescke and second by Chip Parsons, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:55 PM.