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TOR-2009-2 AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION f � � �. l -D 0? oup—CC&— ,J- ebf&� — C 4T* L C) TOR-2009-2 AN ORDINANCE ADDING SECTION 3-8.4 TO THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF AGAWAM ESTABLISHING THE AGAWAM AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION WHEREAS, an Agricultural Commission would serve to represent the Agawam agricultural community, including all types of farming, forestry, greenhouse, and wood products, businesses and accessory uses and activities customarily associated with those endeavors; WHEREAS, the purpose of an Agricultural Commission would be to support commercial agriculture and other fanning and forestry activities in the Town of Agawam; WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the Town of Agawam to establish an Agricultural Commission to represent Agawam's agricultural community and interests; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL that the following change be made to Chapter 3 of the Code of the Town or Agawam: Cr 43-8.4 entitled "Agawam Agricultural Commission" is hereby added to read as 71 follows: A. The City Council votes as follows: to establish an Agricultural Commission to represent the Agawam agricultural community, including all types of fanning, forestry, greenhouse, and wood products, businesses and accessory uses and activities customarily associated with those endeavors. B. The purpose of the Agricultural Commission will be to support commercial agriculture and other fanning and forestry activities in the Town of Agawam. T*he Commission's duties shall include, but not be limited to, the following: serving as facilitators for encouraging the pursuits of agriculture and forestry in Agawam; promoting agricultural and forestry-based economic opportunities and business diversification in the Town; acting as mediators between parties involved in issues between operators of working lands and other residents; educating the public and owners and users of working lands; working for the preservation of agricultural and forest resource lands; advising the Mayor, City Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Board of Health, Historical Commission, Board of Assessors, and any other appropriate town boards and appointed committees on issues involving agriculture and forestry; and pursuing initiatives appropriate to creating a sustainable agricultural community. C. The Commission shall consist of five members appointed by the Mayor, of which at least four of the membership shall be substantially engaged in the pursuit of agriculture or forestry. All members of the Commission must either be residents of the town or owners and farmers of agricultural property within the town. D. The terms will be as follows: Two members for a term of three years; two members for a term of two years and three thereafter; and one member for a term of one year and three years thereafter. E. There may be up to three alternates appointed to the Commission by the Mayor. Alternates may fill any vacancies at meetings of the Commission. F. The Mayor shall fill a vacancy based on the unexpired term of the vacancy in order to maintain the cycles of appointments, based upon the recommendations of the Commission. Dated this day of YYPA- 2009. j I PER ORDER OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL, Gfn'a-WLetellier, Krevsi—del�t APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY Christopher 71 son, City Solicitor MAYORAL ACTIO-N Received this day of 2009 from Town Counci I Clerk. Signed by Council President this day of au P2009. APPROVAL LEGISLATION By the powers vested in me pursuant to Article 3, Section 3-6 of the Agawam Charter, as amended, I hereby approve the passage of the above legislation on this day of -12009. Susan R. Dawson, Mayor DISAPPROVAL OF LEGISLAIIO By the powers vested in me pursuant to Article 3, Section 3-6 of the Agawam Charter, as amended, I hereby veto the passage of the above legislation on this day of 2009 for the following reason(s): Susan R. Dawson, Mayor REJOKN OF LEGISLATION-TO CQUNCIL CLE Returned to Council Clerk this 0-11 day of 2009. Page I of I barbara bard From: Cecilia Calabrese [cececalabrese@yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 12:10 PM To: barbara bard Cc: Donald Rheault Subject: Re: Ordinance Committee Hi Barb and Don - I read the minutes of the last Ord. Committee meeting into the record during my report to the full Council on the Agricultural Commission Ordinance. Since I have been working extra hours, I have not had the time to also type up the minutes. Barb - if you don't mind typing up what I read into the minutes in the form of a separate report from the Ordinance Committee that would be great. Cece --- On Fri, 5/1/09, barbara bard <BBard@agawam.maus>wrote: From: barbara bard <BBard@agawam.ma.us> Subject: To: "cececalabrese@yahoo.com" <cececalabrese@yahoo.com> Cc: "donald rheault" <don@messageonholdne.com> Date: Friday, May 1, 2009, 10:05 AM Hi. Don contacted me and was wondering if I had received the minutes from the Ordinance meeting yet regarding Ag Comm. He had wanted them included in yesterday's packet. I don't have them. Do you need me to type them up? I know it seemed easier for you to read your own handwriting. If you need me to type them up or do anything please let me know, Thanks! Have agreat d(ly! Barbara Barbara A. Bard Administrative Assistant to the City Council 36 Main Street Agawam,MA. 01001 413.786.0400 x 233 5/1/2009 AGAWAM AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION ORDINANCE The Town Council votes as follows: to establish an Agricultural Commission to represent the Agawam agricultural community, including all types of farming, forestry, greenhouse, and wood products businesses and accessory uses and activities customarily associated with those endeavors The purpose of the Agricultural Commission will be to support commercial agriculture and other farming and forestry activities in the Town of Agawam. The Commission's duties shall include, but not be limited to, the following: serving as facilitators for encouraging the pursuits of agriculture and forestry in Agawam; promoting agricultural and forestry-based economic opportunities and business diversification in Town; acting as mediators between parties involved in issues between operators of working lands and other residents; educating the public and owners and users of working lands; working for the preservation of agricultural and forest resource lands; advising the Mayor, Town Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Board of Health, Historical Commission, Board of Assessors, and any other . appropriate Town Boards and appointed committees on issues involving agriculture and forestry; and pursuing initiatives appropriate to creating a sustainable agricultural community. The Commission shall consist of five members appointed' by the Mayor, of which at least four of the membership shall be substantially engaged in the pursuit of agriculture or forestry. All members of the Commission must either be residents of the town or owners and farmers of agricultural property within the town. There may be up .to three alternates appointed to the Commission by the Mayor. Alternates may fill any vacancies at meetings of the Commission. The terms will be as follows: Two members for a term of three years; two members for a term of two years and three thereafter; and one member for a term of one year and three years thereafter. The Mayor shall fill a vacancy based on the unexpired term of the vacancy In order to maintain the- cycle of appointments, based upon the recommendations of the Commission. To: Mayor Susan R. Dawson From: Agawam Agricultural Commission Support Group Date: March 18, 2009 We, the undersigned members of the farm community in Agawam Feeding Hills, urge you to proceed toward obtaining a Town Council vote to approve an Agricultural Commission for the Town of Agawam. We will be glad to do whatever is necessary to help with the Ag Commission formation process. t q OV , -I�` jk/ 47 1'e SIGNATURES, AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION PETITION Robert Cecchi, Cecchi's Greenhouse, 1131 Springfield St. William Raymond, Feeding Hills Joseph DeCaro, DeCaro Bros. Garden Center, 1236 Springfield St. Al Fini, Fini's Plant Farm, 217 James Street Linda Lazarus, 43 Twin Oaks, Feeding Hills John Spineti, 43 Twin Oaks, Feeding Hills Felix Cincotta, Cincotta Farms, 1252 Springfield St. Noel E. Brown, Brown Farm, 443 N. West St. Muriel and Robert Fearn, Glen Gary Christmas Tree Farm, 539 Shoemaker Ln. Michael Cecchi, Cecchi's Greenhouse, 1131 Springfield St. Joseph Czerpak, Czerpak Farm, 636 S. Westfield St. Carmine Grimaldi, 1225 Springfield St. Dennis Crowley, Crowley Equestrian Center, 32 Shoemaker Ln, Gary Turnbull, 252 N. West Street Derrick Turnbull, 300 N. West Street Alan Stepanik, Stepanik Farm, 490 Southwick Road Mark Brown, Brown Farm, 443 N. West St. Shed Nutbrown, Brown Farm, 443 N. West St. John Kosinski, North Country Harvest Farm, N. West Street I am writing to go on record in strong support of creating an Agricultural Commission in Agawam. It is unfortunate that I am unable to attend the Council meeting on the night such an important vote is taking place. We use these words on our wcbsitc to describe Agawam: "a beautiful community with a rural atmosphere", a place with "traditional farm fields" and "vast open space." We are very proud of our "rural heritage", and our farms are one of our most prominent physical features. And yet, our farmers don't have a seat at the table. "Agricultural Commissions represent the farming community, encourage the pursuit of agriculture, promote agricultural economic development and protect farmlands and farm businesses. By working within town government through an Agricultural Commission, farmers enhance their credibility, and are viewed as part of the problem-solving team." By creating an Agricultural Commission, we will give farmers and owners of farm land a voice in town government, enhancing Agawam's ability to protect the farmland, farrn stands and open space we are so proud of, while acquiring an official pool of people interested in promoting agricultural business in our town. It is in Agawam's best interests to promote and support agriculture of all types in our town. The availability of local food supplies will become more important as the cost of transportation rises. The benefit of locally grown foods to the economy, the environment and to health is well documented. We owe it to our citizens to ensure that there is an ample supply of local food available. One way we can start is to create an Agricultural Commission. I urge my fellow Councilors to vote in favor of TOR-2009-2, the Agawam Agricultural Commission. Thank You, Jill Messick ToWn of .Agaw.am 36 Main Street Agawam,Massac'husetts 0101-1837 Tel. 413-786-0400 Fax 413-786-9927 March 31, 2009 Mayor Susan Dawson: I respectfully submit this letter in support of the creatioft of an Agawam Agricultural Commission. Attached you will find a letter from Peter Westover from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources: Mr. Westover has been-meeting with A.number of Agawam's farmers for over a year on an inf&mM basis. They have asked that they be allowed to form an Agricultural Commission to prornoteissues and causes that impact farmers.' Due to their long hours, especially during the growing months, .farmers often are 'not free to participate in the public process�when it affects their livelihoods. Agricultural Commissions have. been forme&throughout the state to fill this capacity. As Mr. Westover states, he Will be available to attend the Council meeting when they consider the proposed ordinance. If you desire any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Deborah S. Dachos, Director Office of Planning and Community Development r.1_J ZE -Z d z E. 6VW 0001 Y 14 April 1, 2009 To: Agawam Town Council From: Pete Westover, Mass Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Re: Agricultural Commission Resolution The attached resolution will establish an Agricultural Commission for the Town of Agawam. There are now 120 Ag Commissions across the state, including 60 in western Massachusetts. Towns in the Agawam area that have AgComs are Belchertown, Granby, Ludlow, Monson, Northampton, Southwick, Southampton, Ware, Westhampton, and Wilbraham. I have been working with a group of Agawam farm people who last week all signed a petition asking the Council to pass the Agricultural Commission resolution. They are Bob Cecchi, Michael Cecchi, Joseph DeCaro, Al Fin!, John Spinetti, Linda Lazarus, Felix Cincotta, Noel Brown, Mark Brown, Muriel and Robert Fearn, William Raymond, Joseph Czerpak, Carmine Grimaldi, Dennis Crowley, Gary Turnbull, Derrick Turnbull, Alan Stepanik, Sheri Nutbrown, and John Kosinski. - AgComs are advisory, not regulatory. They provide expertise on agricultural issues and work with other town boards, they speak for the farming community on town issues, they work to improve the climate of support for farming throughout the town, they help to promote farming and improve farm sales opportunities, and they sponsor town-wide forums and events that focus on agricultural issues. Towns with AgComs receive extra Commonwealth Capital points that help qualify them for a wide range of state grants. There are many organizations in the state that actively work to support AgComs, including Mass Farm Bureau, the Mass Department of Agricultural Resources, CISA, American Farmland Trust, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, UMass Extension, and others. For more information, the statewide AgCom website is www.massagcom.orci. I will plan to attend the session when the Council will take up the matter to assist in case questions arise. If the resolution passes, I will also be available, as a contractor for MDAR, to help the newly formed Ag Commission get started. Thank you for considering this proposal. I hope you will see fit to approve the resolution. TOR-2009-Q- AN ORDINANCE ADDING SECTION 3-8.4 TO THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF AGAWAM ESTABLISHING THE - AGAWAM AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION WHEREAS, an agricultural commission would serve to represent the Agawam agricultural community, including all types of farming, forestry, greenhouse, and wood products businesses and accessory uses and activities customarily associated with those endeavors; WHEREAS, the purpose of an agricultural commission would be ,to support commercial agriculture and other farming and forestry activities in the Town of Agawam; WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the Town of Agawam to establish an agricultural commission to represent Agawam's agricultural community and interests; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE AGAWAM TOWN COUNCIL that the following change be made to Chapter 3 of the Code of the Town of Agawam: §3-8.4 entitled "Agawam Agricultural Commission" is hereby added to read as follows: A. Establishment. There is hereby established in the Town of Agawam, the Agawam Agricultural Commission to rep resent Agawam's agricultural community and interests. B. Composition and term. The Agawam Agricultural Commission shall consist of three members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Town Council, of which at least two of the membership shall be substantially engaged in the pursuit of agriculture or forestry. All members of the Commission must either be residents of the town, or owners and farmers of agricultural property within the town. The original terms shall be as follows: one member for a term of three years; one member for a term of two years; and one member for a term of one year. All reappointments shall be for three years. C. Duties and powers. The powers and duties of the Agawam Agricultural Commission shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (a) serving as facilitators for encouraging the pursuits of agriculture and forestry in the Town of Agawam; (b) promoting agricultural and forestry-based economic opportunities and business diversification in the Town of Agawam; (c) acting as mediators between parties involved in issues between operators of working lands and other residents; (d) educating the public and owners and users of working lands; (e) working for the preservation of agricultural and forest resource lands in the Town of Agawam; (f) advising the Mayor, Town Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Board of Health, Historical Commission, Board of Assessors, and any other appropriate town boards, commissions and appointed committees on issues involving agriculture and forestry; and (g) pursuing initiatives appropriate to creating a sustainable agricultural community in the Town of Agawam. PER ORDER OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL Gina M. Letellier, President APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY Christopher C. I son, City Solicitor TOR-2009-2 AN ORDINANCE ADDING SECTION 3-8.4 TO THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF AGAWAM ESTABLISHING THE AGAWAM AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION WHEREAS, an Agricultural Commission would serve to represent the Agawam agricultural community, including all types of fanning, forestry, greenhouse, and wood products, businesses and accessory uses and activities customarily associated with those endeavors; WHEREAS, the purpose of an Agricultural Commission would be to support commercial agriculture and other fanning and forestry activities in the Town of Agawam; WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the Town of Agawam to establish an Agricultural Commission to represent Agawam's agricultural community and interests; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL that the following change be made to Chapter 3 of the Code of the Town of Agawam: §3-8.4 entitled I'Apawam Agricultural Commission" is hereby added to read as follows: A. The City Council votes as follows. to establish an Agricultural Commission to represent the Agawam agricultural community, including all types of farming, forestry, greenhouse, and wood products, businesses and accessory uses and activities customarily associated with those endeavors. B. The purpose of the Agricultural Commission will be to support commercial agriculture and other farming and forestry activities in the Town of Agawam. The Commission's duties shall include, but not be limited to, the following: serving as facilitators for encouraging the pursuits of agriculture and forestry in Agawam; promoting agricultural and forestry-based economic opportunities and business diversification in the Town, acting as mediators between parties involved in issues between operators of working lands and other residents; educating the public and owners and users of working lands; working for the preservation of agricultural and forest resource lands; advising the Mayor, City Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Board of Health, Historical Commission, Board of Assessors, and any other appropriate town boards and appointed committees on issues involving agriculture and forestry; and pursuing initiatives appropriate to creating a sustainable agricultural community. C. The Commission shall consist of five members appointed by the Mayor, of which at least four of the membership shall be substantially engaged in the pursuit of agriculture or forestry. All members of the Commission must either be residents of the town or owners and farmers of agricultural property within the town. D. The tenns will be as follows: Two members for a term of three years; two members for a term of two years and three thereafter; and one member for a term of one year and three years thereafter. E. There may be up to three alternates appointed to the Commission by the Mayor. Altemates may fill any vacancies at meetings of the Commission. F, The Mayor shall fill a vacancy based on the unexpired term of the vacancy in order to maintain the cycles of appointments, based upon the recommendations of the Commission. Dated this day of 12009. PER ORDER OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL Gina M. Letellier, President APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY Christopher C. Johnson, City Solicitor TOR-2009-Q� AN ORDINANCE ADDING SECTION 3-8.4 TO THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF AGAWAM ESTABLISHING THE AGAWAM AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION WHEREAS, an agricultural comm.ission would serve to represent the Agawam agricultural community, including all types of farming, forestry, greenhouse, and wood products businesses and accessory uses and activities customarily associated with those endeavors; WHEREAS, the purpose of an agricultural commission would be to support commercial agriculture and other farming and forestry activities in the Town of Agawam; WHEREAS, it is in the best in terest of the Town of Agawam to establish an agricultural commission to represent Agawam's agricultural community and interests; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE AGAWAM TOWN COUNCIL that the following change be made to Chapter 3 of the Code of the Town of Agawam: 153-8.4 entitled "'Agawam Agricultural Commission" is hereby added to read as follows: A. Establishment. There is hereby established in the Town of Agawam, the Agawam Agricultural Commission to represent Agawam's agricultural community and interests. S, B. Composi 'an and term. ATh Agaviarn Agricultural Commission shall P . consist f rrS(f members ap ed by the Mayor and confirmed by the 0 ( c cl 1 0 Town Coun of which at leas tw of the membership shall be substantially engaged in the pursuit of agr -c'/Ulture or forestry. All members of the Commission must either be residents of the town, or owners and farmers of agricultural property within the town. he original terms shall be as follows: -em-e member for a term of three years;�a member for a term of two years; and one member for a term of one*year. All reappointments shall be for three years. C. Duties-and powers. The powers and duties of the Agawam Agricultural Commission shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (a) serving as facilitators for encouraging the pursuits of agriculture and forestry in the Town of Agawam; (b) promoting agricultural and forestry-based economic opportunities and business diversification in the Town of Agawam; (c) acting as mediators between parties involved in issues between operators of working lands and other residents; (d) educating the public and owners and users of working lands; (e) working for the preservation of agricultural and forest resource lands in the Town of Agawam; (f) advising the Mayor, Town Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Board of Health, Historical Commission, Board of Assessors, and any other appropriate town boards, commissions and appointed committees on issues involving agriculture and forestry; and (g) pursuing initiatives appropriate to creating a sustainable agricultural community in the Town of Agawam. PER ORDER OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL Gina M. Letellier, President APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY Christopher C. 3 son, City Solicitor AGAWAM AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION ORDINANCE The Town Council votes as follows: to establish an Agricultural Commission to represent the Agawam agricultural community, including - all types of farming, forestry, greenhouse, and wood products businesses and accessory uses and activities customarily associated with those endeavors The purpose of the Agricultural Commission will be to support commercial agriculture and other farming and forestry activities in the Town of Agawam. The Commission's duties 'shall include, but not be limited to, the following: serving as facilitators for encouraging the pursuits of agriculture and forestry in Agawam; promoting agricultural and forestry-based economic opportunities and business diversification in Town; acting as mediators between parties involved in issues between operators of working lands and other residents; educating the public and owners and users of working lands; working for the preservation of agricultural and forest r'esource lands; advising the Mayor, Town Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board of'Appeals, Conservation Commission, Board of Health, Historical Commission, Board of Assessors, and any other appropriate. Town Boards and appointed committees on issues involving agriculture and forestry; and pursuing initiatives-appropriate to creating a sustainable agricultural community. The Commission shall consist of five members appointed by the Mayor, of which at least four of'the membership shall be substantially engaged in the pursuit of agriculture or forestry. All members of the Commission must either be residents of the town or owners and farmers of agricultural property within the town. There may be up to three alternates appointed to the Commission by the Mayor. Alternates may fill any vacancies at meetings of the Commission. The terms will be as follows: Two members for a term of three years; two members for a term of two years and three thereafter; and one member for a term of one year and'three years thereafter. The Mayor shall fill a vacancy based on the unexpired term of the vacancy In order to maintain the cycle of appointments, based upon the recommendations of the Commission. AGAWAM AGRXCULTURAL COMMXSSXOM ORDXNANCE The Town Council votes as follows: to establish an Agricultural Commission to represent the Agawam agricultural community, including all types of farming, forestry, greenhouse, and wood products businesses and accessory uses and activities customarily associated with those endeavors The purpose of the Agricultural Commission will be to support commercial agriculture and other farming and forestry activities in the Town of Agawam. The Commission's duties shall include, but not be limited to, the following: serving as facilitators for encouraging the pursuits of agriculture and forestry in Agawam; promoting agricultural and forestry-based economic opportunities and busine'ss diversification in Town; acting as mediators between parties involved in issues between operators of working lands and other residents; educating the public and owners and users of working lands; working for the preservation of agricultural and forest resource lands; advising the Mayor, Town Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, Board of Health, Historical Commission, Board of Assessors, and any other appropriate Town Boards and appointed committees on issues involving agriculture and forestry; and pursuing initiatives appropriate to creating a sustainable agricultural community. The Commission shall consist of five members appointed by the Mayor, of which at least four of the membership shall be substantially engaged in the pursuit of agriculture or forestry. All members of the Commission must either be residents of the town or owners and farmers of agricultural property within the town. There may be up to three alternates appointed to the Commission by the Mayor. Alternates may fill any vacancies at meetings of the Commission. The terms will be as follows: Two members for a term of three years; two members for a term of two years and three thereafter; and one member for a term of one year and three years thereafter. The Mayor shall fill a vacancy based on the unexpired term of the vacancy In order to maintain the cycle of appointments, based upon the recommendations of the Commission.