Town of Bolton Agricultural Commission
Meeting Minutes
Date: 21 June 011
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION
63 Main Street 978 779-2297 or 779-3308
A meeting of the Bolton Agricultural Commission was held on June 21, 2011 at Town Hall. The meeting was
called to order at 7:35 pm. Commission members in attendance: Sue Storbeck, Betsy Taylor-Kennedy, Barbara
Parente, and Richard Pelletier (who attended only first 10 minutes). Absent: Eric Schartner.
The May 2011 minutes were approved and submitted.
Reports from Liaisons to Town Boards/Commissions
Board of Health (Storbeck) : no report
Planning Board (Schartner) : no report
Board of Selectmen (Parente) : no report
Conservation Commission (Pelletier): Sue reported that although her term is up, she will
continue to keep in touch with Carol Gumbardt to follow through with a plan to walk the trails on the
Houghton Farms property.
Conservation Trust (Taylor-Kennedy): The Conservation Trust is working on the details of the
conservation restriction for the Weatherbee farm, approved at May Town Meeting and Town Elections.
Complaints/Requests for Site Visits
none
Old Business
Harvest Dinner -- Rich has had no response as of this date to his email asking ag businesses about providing
food for the Aug. 7 Harvest Dinner at the winery. Rich said he doesn’t currently need assistance from
AgComm, but we could talk to local farmers if we see them.
Member Opening – Sue has contacted one person but hasn’t had a return call. Betsy and Barbara will contact
four potential volunteers who checked off a form sent out with the town census, and given to AgComm tonight.
They will schedule interviews if any express interest and follow through by sending a letter of interest to
Barbara’s email.
AgRow at the Bolton Fair – Betsy reported that AgRow is set with five vendors and the tent and space invoice
has been submitted. Betsy will not be here Bolton Fair weekend, so set up will be Eric’s responsibility.
Animal Emergency Management Plan – Sue met with Jai Rezec and will write up notes from that meeting.
She and Jai plan to meet with the police chief and Tom Moses, emergency mgmt, about status. Sue agreed to
continue to be the liaison after her term expires June 30. Commission members thanked Sue for her service.
New Business
Peter Larsen Farm apple barn in Stow – Martha Remington contact – This is neither a Bolton nor an
AgComm issue. Sue reported she wrote back that people could write personal letters of support if desired.
2011 Budget – Betsy has submitted an invoice for Agriculture Row at the Bolton Fair ($644) and Sue has
submitted an invoice for two Right to Farm Signs ($366). The commission agreed that Barbara should contact
the sign vendor for magnets or stickers for up to $190 and submit an invoice before the end of the fiscal year.
Right to Farm brochures – Betsy will get brochures (and banners) from Sue, so each member can take
brochures at the July meeting to give to local businesses.
Promoting Agriculture – Barbara will contact farms and other ag businesses to get information for an article
on products and opening dates. Possible locations for new Right to Farm signs: Route 110/Still River, Harvard
Road, and East End Road.
Future Meetings/Events
August 7 – Harvest Dinner at Nashoba Valley Winery
August 13 and 14 – Agriculture Row at Bolton Fair
August 16 – AgComm meeting, 7:30 pm upstairs at Town Hall
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm.
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