OPEN SPACE TASK FORCE
Minutes of the Meeting
October 1, 2012
Attendance: Pat Botteron, Sue Larsen, Jeff Folger, Herb Asplund, Louise Evans, Michael Gantick, Carol Heffler, Betty Warren, George Caye, David Romejko, Roy Normen, Bart Pacekonis
Chairman Pat Botteron called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
Public Participation
None
Acceptance of Minutes
The Minutes of 09/10/12 were accepted as amended.
New Business
Pat Botteron introduced Bart Pacekonis as the new representative from Planning & Zoning.
Pat Botteron reminded everyone of the email sent out to attend the Ethics Meeting on Oct. 22nd at 7:00 pm
Andy Paterna came to the meeting representing the SW Food Alliance. He was looking for support for the program. Andy handed out a pamphlet and gave an overview of what the Alliance would like to accomplish. They want to support local farmers through the farmers market, develop more community gardens in town, get students involved with composting and the orchard at Timothy Edwards Middle School. Jeff Folger mentioned the Dept. of Agriculture has grants for farmland restoration (eg. water lines to the Nelson property). There are also grants for young farmers like the Plum Gulley Farm. Mike Gantick suggested contacting the 4-H to get involved. The NEOFA would be another source to contact because of their interest in the Neiderwerfer property. Pat Botteron mentioned roof top gardens for businesses
with flat roofs. Betty Warren made a motion to support the SW Food Alliance. Herb Asplund seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
Blank rating sheets were handed out for discussion. Many members said it was difficult to match the rating sheets with their overall impression of the property visited and wanted a way to reflect the overall impression. The result of the discussion was the rating sheet is just a tool. The Task Force should use it for discussion purposes. The next property visit will have no ratings on it and then the Task Force will discuss it again. Mike Gantick made a motion to do the rating sheet without numbers as an experiment. Betty Warren seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
ANNUAL GOALS – 1) Jeff Folger did the article in the Park & Rec brochure and we will continue to do it.
2) Pat Botteron spoke with Superintendent of Schools, Kate Carter and would like to have Open Space as a topic at the schools.
3) Louise Evans spoke about our mandate to rate properties. Herb Asplund wants us to not over reach our goals and get involved in areas that we should only be supportive.
4) Mike Gantick said we should update the ordinance to what the Town Councils expectations of the group are and this should be the top priority.
It was suggested that the goals be listed under Old Business on every agenda and that way it focuses the group on the goals.
OLD BUSINESS
There were no property updates.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00.
Our next meeting will be November 5th.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sue W. Larsen
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