Agriculture Commission 12 6 11
Northampton Agricultural Commission
Minutes
Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: City Hall, 210 Main Street, Room 10, Northampton
For more information:
Wayne Feiden, FAICP, Director of Planning and Development
wfeiden@northamptonma.gov
(413)587-1265
Members present: Chairman John Omasta, Vice Chair Rich Jaescke, John Bobala, John Kelly,
Chip Parsons, and Robert Vollinger.
John Omasta opened up the meeting at 7:05 PM.
1. Minutes of November 22, 2011
Upon motion by Rich Jaescke and second by John Bobala, the Commission voted unanimously
to approve the minutes of November 22, 2011 (correcting the spelling of Jaescke).
2. Plan Farmers’ Forum
The Commission discussed various dates for the farmers forum and how to ensure adequate
outreach to farmers. {The final date, set after the meeting, is 7:00 PM on Wednesday February
1, 2012 at the Smith Vocational Agricultural School restaurant. The Commission set the agenda:
1. Welcome and introductions from the Chair or Vice Chair
2. DPW issues of interest to farmers (by DPW Director Ned Huntley), including
a. Status of Meadows Roads
b. Grading and maintaining dirt and gravel roads
3. Police issues of interest to farmers (by Sgt. Victor Caputo)
a. Enforcement of trespass on farmland
b. Enforcement in the Meadows
4. Planning issues of interest to farmers (by Planning Director Wayne Feiden), including
a. Wetlands requirements
b. Agriculture Preservation Restrictions
c. City open space programs
5. Keep Farming effort (Keep Farming volunteers)
a. Surveys and findings
b. Recommendations and conclusions
The Commission set their next meeting for January 18, 2012 {since changed due to conflicts}.
Upon motion by John Kelly and second by John Bobala, the Commission adjourned at 7:55 PM.