AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF MARCH 7, 2007 MEETING

Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building

Conference Room B, 7:30 p.m.

1. Acting Chairman, Charlie Galgowski, called the meeting to order at 7:30.

2: PRESENT:            Al Cyr, Charlie Galgowski, Carol Stearns, Vicky Wetherell

                        Guest: Bill Thorne, E.O. Smith Vo-Ag Program

3.   Minutes of the January 3, 2007 meeting were approved.

4.   E.O.Smith Vo-Ag Program Search for Agricultural Field

            Bill Thorne requested assistance in identifying properties that would be appropriate for the E.O. Smith Agriculture Program to use for their field projects.   The possibility of leasing Town or private lands as a temporary measure was discussed, as well as the possibility of E. O. Smith applying for a grant to purchase private land for long-term use. The committee made suggestions of possible properties for E.O. Smith to consider for this project.

Old Business

5.  Proposed Farm Animal Regulations

            The committee discussed a proposed revision of these regulations, which was referred to them for comment by the Planning and Zoning Commission.  The committee agreed that the proposed version needs extensive further revision.  They recommended that Jim Gibbons of the UConn Extension System be asked to attend a meeting to advise them and other Town officials about regulations that would be workable for Town officials and allow the maximum agricultural uses possible for residents.  The committee also proposed that Mr. Gibbons be asked to make a public presentation, “Keeping Horses in Residential Areas,” to inform horse owners and Town officials about best practices and regulations concerning horses on residential properties.

6. Open Space Initiative

            The “Protecting Family Farms and Forests Workshop” will be held on Tuesday, April 17.  A notice will be sent to those on the farm mailing list.

New Business

7.  Revision of Ag Products and Services Brochure

            The committee reviewed a draft of a new design for this annual brochure.  They recommended additional items for the design and a new title for the brochure, “Mansfield Country” (with the present title as a subtitle farther down on the cover page).

8.  Bonemill Field Tour

            A committee member will attend the tour of Bonemill Field, which is being offered for an agricultural  lease.   The tour is on Saturday, April 17, at 9:00 a.m.   The committee will review proposals for use of the field and recommend a lessee to the Town Council.

9.  Announcements

            Al informed the committee that the Annual Plow Match will be held on April 21 at a new site on Rt. 32 at .8 miles north of junction with Rt. 44.

9.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:30.