Agricultural Commission

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Jun 09 2023 11:44 am City of Fitchburg Agricultural Commission April 4, 2023, 6:00pm, at the City Hall, West Meeting Room. MINUTES Commissioners Present: Jennifer Barlow, Evan Halstead, Ingrid Wheeler, James Momanyi (arrived 6:27) Commissioners Absent: Yonna Coon (sent regrets) AGENDA ITEMS 1. Call to Order Meeting Opened by Evan Halstead at 6:21pm. Roll call was conducted. 2. Nomination and Election of Officers: Chair and Secretary Motion by Ingrid Wheeler to nominate Evan Halstead for Chair and Jennifer Barlow as Secretary. (Jen Barlow 2nd) Vote: 3‐0. 3. Establish Regular Meeting Dates Motion by Ingrid Wheeler to meet 6 times year, on the first Tuesday at 6:30pm of every other month starting April 4, 2023. (Jen Barlow 2nd). Vote: 3‐0. Next meeting: June 6 2023 6:30pm 4b. Agricultural Preservation Fund Motion by Jen Barlow to establish an Agricultural Preservation Fund. for use by the Commission for any purpose authorized in MGL Chapter 40, Section 8L (Ingrid Wheeler 2nd). Vote: 4‐0 We then reviewed Agricultural Commission Article 3‐284 B.7 which specifies that the Commission may receive gifts, grants, and bequests for the purpose of discharging the Commission’s duties. Janet Morrison explained that once we vote to establish the fund, the Mayor’s office and City Council must approve. Ingrid Wheeler noted that we may be able to apply for grant funding for educational programming, curriculum development, afterschool programming, and job training programs. Janet agreed. Motion by Jen Barlow to accept a donation of $5,000 to the Agricultural Preservation Fund, by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous at this time. (Ingrid Wheeler 2nd). Vote: 4‐0 Janet Morrison and the Commission Officers will work with the City to obtain approval for the Agricultural Preservation Fund and the donation. Motion by Evan Halstead to enter into Executive Session for Agenda Item 4a (Farmland Acquisition), pursuant to the Open Meeting Law, for the purpose of discussing possible conservation of specific farms in Fitchburg, to maintain the privacy of landowners and to protect possible future negotiations with the City. (Ingrid Wheeler 2nd). Discussion: Chair announced that the meeting will adjourn after the Executive Session. Vote: 4‐0 Public Meeting is closed. 6. Adjournment Motion by Evan Halstead to adjourn the meeting (Ingrid Wheeler 2nd). Vote: 4‐0.