The Town of Enfield, Connecticut - 08/12/08 ECC Minutes / Farmland Preservation Subcommittee

Roll Call - Natalie George, Joanne Kneiss, Gretchen Pfeifer-Hall, Richard Szewczak, Kathleen Vose. Commissioner LaPlante arrived late after attending the Clean Energy Committee meeting.

Page 3, 4^th paragraph from bottom – delete ‘National’. Page 3; delete bottom two paragraphs as more suitable to discussion with entire commission at September meeting. A motion was made by Mr. Szewczak, seconded by Mrs. Kneiss to accept the minutes as amended. The vote was 5-0-0.

From discussions with Mr. Sullivan at the 8/5 meeting, the subcommittee briefly discussed speaking with Ray Warren about possible locations in Enfield that might be considered for retrofit as processing plants.

A discussion on the definition of farmland was held. Mr. Szewczak read the definitions for ‘farm’ & ‘farming’ as contained in the Wetlands Regulations:

"Farm" means farm buildings, and accessory buildings thereto, nurseries, orchards, ranges, greenhouses, hoop houses and other temporary structures or other structures used primarily for the raising and, as an incident to ordinary farming operations, sale of agricultural or horticultural commodities.

"Farming" means cultivation of the soil, dairying, forestry, raising or harvesting any agricultural or horticultural commodity, including the raising, shearing, feeding, caring for, training and management of live stock, including horses, bees, poultry, fur bearing animals and wildlife, and the raising or harvesting of oysters, clams, mussels, other molluscan shellfish or fish; the operation, management, conservation, improvement or maintenance of a farm and its buildings, tools and equipment, or salvaging timber or cleared land or brush or other debris left by a storm, as an incident to such farming operations; the production or harvesting of maple syrup or maple sugar, or any agricultural commodity, including lumber, as an incident to ordinary farming operations or the harvesting of mushrooms, the hatching of poultry, or the construction, operation or maintenance of ditches, canals, reservoirs or waterways used exclusively for farming purposes; handling , planting, drying, packing, packaging, processing, freezing, grading, storing or delivering to storage or to market, or for direct sale any agricultural or horticultural commodity as an incident to ordinary farming operations, or in the case of fruits and vegetables, as an incident to the preparation of such fruits or vegetables for market or the direct sale. Aquaculture means the farming of the waters of the state and tidal wetlands and the production of protein food, including fish, oysters, clams, mussels and other molluscan shellfish, on leased, franchised and public underwater farm lands.

The subcommittee discussed using these definitions as a ‘base’ for a starting point from which to make modifications. Gretchen offered to search the CACIWC website for the latest model regulations to get any updates to these definitions.

A discussion was then held to determine the actual charge of the subcommittee in relation to the subject document, OPEN SPACE AND FARMLAND PERSERVATION IN ENFIELD.

1st observation: the original document speaks about conserving land but doesn’t address sustaining agriculture as an industry. As a ‘farmland preservation’ subcommittee, the members felt they needed to narrow their focus and also consider what can be done to help local farmers.

2^nd observation: The first document is a base – the fundamentals are in place but will require updating. The goal of the subcommittee should be to 1.)

Map 2, parcel number 19 is now a subdivision; change note in key – ‘part of land now a subdivision’ - should also add PH subdivision file number for reference.

The OSFP document goals were reviewed (1-7). The subcommittee decided it should focus on goal #2 under their charge.

GOAL 2: Preserve prime agricultural lands and farmland as an industry and open space amenity.

· Evaluate existing agricultural land preservation programs and ways to supplement them.

· Improve the viability of farming in Enfield by implementing innovative ways to market farm products.

· Identify farms of special significance for priority protection/possible Town venture.

· Investigate opportunities for coordination with North Central Connecticut Tourism District.

(From previous minutes, re-addressed here: Open Space and Farmland Preservation study needs to be recognized by Council as a legitimate document. It needs to be brought to them for confirmation, but first needs several pages of updates and clarifications added up front. Natalie will begin working on that, with input and recommendations submitted by committee members.)

In addressing Goal #2, the subcommittee decided a cover note should be added to the OSFP document going to the Council for acceptance regarding its current charge. It would include an Executive Summary of the OSFP document, and then state the next phase of update to that document (focused on Goal #2; Natalie volunteered to create a first draft ES).

On page 15 of the Open Space and Farmland Preservation study the subcommittee felt the term ‘agricultural preservation strategy’ should be modified to ‘agricultural sustainability strategy’ to reflect the broader needs of the present. This should also be included in the cover note to the Town Council recognizing that reference to further action and the fact the ECC is ready to recommend the town take further action as was intended to preserve and sustain farmland and the agricultural industry in Enfield.

The subcommittee discussed preparing a proposed resolution for recognition of the OSFP study and the concepts discussed above.

The Subcommittee felt no changes should be made to the OSFP study at this time as too many separate groups and individuals were involved in its creation. Changes should only be made with more input and approval through additional hearings. However, they felt the concepts contained in the OSFP were too important not to press for acceptance of the document as is, with the understanding that updates, corrections, and further actions will be necessary. Current statistics alone may be enough to significantly modify goals contained in the original OSFP. The committee asked staff to send an electronic copy of the OSFP to all commission members to read again; they felt it very important all members read the document and become familiar with the concepts to be able to intelligently discuss the subjects and to credibly advise the own Council.

· Map existing farms and productive farmlands (Natalie has data and will get updates; Gretchen offered to note them on maps – blank maps to be acquired from Engineering Department; no firm completion date set)

· We need information from Kevin Sullivan as noted in previous minutes (plant footprint requirements, etc.)

· Joanne will send subcommittee members an e-mail with addresses of agricultural sites on the web she has found to be useful

· For Town Council: 1 page cover (see above & why we’re sending plan to them now), Executive Summary (Natalie, see above), and a copy of the OSFP Study document

Adjournment: Gretchen made a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:42 PM; the vote was 6-0-0.