Agriculture Commission Minutes
WOLFEBORO AGRICULTURE COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
12.3.20
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Lawreen Strauch, Sarah M. Silk, Vice-Chair, Macy Gotthardt, David Strauch, Blair Moody, Wendy Rodgers, Dave Rodgers
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Alan Fredrickson, Kurt DeVylder, Alternate BOS Rep: David Senecal
GOTOMEETING: Amy Muccio
• Approve Minutes 3-5.20:
Sarah Silk, Vice-Chair opened the meeting at 7:10 PM due to technical difficulties connecting to GoTo Meeting. She introduced those members and alternates present as well as the new secretary. Due to the Chair’s reappointment last night by the BOS, the papers were not yet available to the Town Clerk to swear Lawreen Strauch in before tonight’s meeting, therefore Sarah will be opening the meeting.
The Vice-Chair appointed alternate Alan Frederickson to sit for member Marge Strunk who was excused from attending.
• Changes for Covid-19:
Sarah read an informational piece regarding the Right to Know law and hybrid meetings due to Covid-19
Sarah noted that the date of 2-5.20 at the to of page 1 was a typo. The date of 3-5-20 at the bottom of page 2 is correct. Made a motion to approve as amended, with a 2nd from . The vote was unanimous.
Karen Lancaster, the new transcriptionist was introduced.
• Election of officers was next on the agenda. Sarah suggested that Lawreen get sworn in as soon as possible and remain the Chairman until April 2021 and herself as Vice-Chair until April. Clarification was asked for regarding what was suggested due to the difficulty of hearing in that room, complicated by mask wearing.
Dave Rodgers made a motion that Blair Moody be the chairman until March. Wendy Rodgers seconded the motion. Blair rejected the position.
Blair made a motion that they have no Chairman and Sarah remain as Vice chair until April. Macy seconded the motion. The motion was approved.
Sarah then asked if anyone knew when Marge Strunk’s membership expires in 2021 or 2022. Amy Muccio replied that it was 2021. Sarah noted the By-laws say terms are 3 years with 2 members to be appointed each year for a total of 7 and alternates total 5 with up to 1 appointed each year. Obviously, it should be 2-2-3 for members and 2-2-1 for alternates using the 3-year term limits. As of 12.3.20, there will be 5 members expiring in 2021, 1 in 2022 and 2 in 2023. Alternates: 1 in 2021, 2 vacancies – likely 2022, 2 in 2023.
There was discussion, including Amy Muccio, that going forward memberships should be staggered so that there are not numerous members expiring in the same year. The Bylaw inconsistency can be corrected with a vote at 1 meeting with adoption at the next meeting, as read by Sarah from the document.
• Update Membership Contact List:
Sarah polled all members regarding the list she had included in the meeting packet. Changes were made where needed.
• Review of Annual Report 2020:
Members referred to the Draft copy in their packet. Sarah displayed the 11-12.20 Granite State News front page article regarding Top of the Hill Farm partnering with local food pantries with a grant program.
Alan had some information regarding the Carroll County Farm Bureau.
Sarah asked Kurt if he was interested in doing the “grow your own Christmas Tree” program cancelled in 2020 because of Covid-19 in 2021. He said he would be willing sponsor it, but that the farm would not be open until next Fall. There was discussion of moving it to the GALA Parking lot at Maker’s Mill if the Earth Day/Clean Up Day takes place and that it would need a small committee to man the operation.
Sarah asked if there were any additions to the annual report. There were none.
• Old Business/Any other Business: There was a request to see if the committee could meet at an earlier time during the Winter. Sarah said that if we change the time, we have to consider the GoTo Meeting coordinator and be sure to inform her.
Wendy stated her concern regarding keeping the same time and not changing it as it creates difficulties with schedules.
1st Thursday of the month is the norm.
The Rules of Procedure were referred to a couple of times, pointing out that it says all meetings will be held monthly at 7pm on the 1st Thursday of the month.
Discussion was had about the change to 7:30pm during the Farmers’ Market season. It was then voted on to have the meetings according to the rules on the 1st Thursday of the month at 7:30pm year-round.
Sarah noted that procedurally if a member feels there are compelling reasons for a non-scheduled meeting, they should contact the Chair or Vice-Chari. Final decisions on whether a meeting can be held Covid-19 are up to the BOS/Town Manager.
Meeting dates for 2021 were discussed as GoTo Meeting virtual attendance has to be coordinated with the new IT assistant. Projected topics to include the following and any others that may arise. March 4th for reminders of reappointments, Codes Enforcement/Town Planner accessory use discussion (see below), and update regarding activities and Covid-19 restrictions. April 1st new members will likely not be sworn in as BOS meeting is the night before, Earth Day/Clean Up day, reorganization. June 3rd for July 4th Parade preparations if being held. August 5th Open Farm Day final preparations if being held. December 2 Annual Report.
The Bylaws will be reviewed at the Spring meeting. Sarah noted there needs to be a signature block to document annual reviews even if no changes are warranted. She asked the secretary to add such as currently the latest date noted is 2016.
There was a discussion about the zoning laws surrounding the building of a barn (an accessory use) on a property that is not a primary residence. It was decided it is a zoning ordinance issue and Sarah suggested that we invite the new town planner as staff may not be well-aware of best management practices and special needs of agriculture and farming.
A motion was made by Alan Frederickson to invite the codes officer and the town planner to the next meeting. It was seconded by David Strauch. The vote was unanimous.
• A motion was made by Blair Moody to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Macy Gotthardt and the meeting adjourned at 8:20pm with a unanimous vote.
Submitted by Karen Lancaster, transcriptionist.
THE NEXT MEETING IS MARCH 4TH AT 7:30PM.