All right. Hello everyone. Welcome to this belated February meeting of the agricultural commission commission. Today is Wednesday, February 18th. Uh this meeting is being recorded by the agricultural commission. If any other persons present are doing the same, you
must notify the chairperson at this time. So at this time, I'd like to call this meeting to order. Um, super quick, super easy roll call at this point. Uh, Denise, are you here? >> That's debatable.
>> Are you here? >> I am here. >> And Sid is here. Um, so we did just a couple minutes ago, Lou, if I don't know if you saw the email from Greg. >> Um, so he just a couple minutes ago emailed to let us know that he had to resign. So, okay, that is just the three of us.
>> Wow. >> We have a quorum. So, we can proceed. >> Uh, as far as public comment goes, no discussion or comments will be entertained unless requested upon by the chairperson of the border committee. I've not requested any public comments.
Um, Elizabeth Net mentioned that she might try to zoom in, so if she stops by, it'll be cool to see her. If not, so be it. Yeah, no one at the moment on Zoom. >> Uh, review and approval of previous meeting minutes. So, these are the
minutes for December 3rd, 2025. Um, can I get someone to read these, please? I can read them. Thank you. >> Okay. Egg miss commission minutes from 123 532. Chairperson statement 532.
Meeting call to order 533. Roll call of members. Um 533 also public comment. No public comment was entertained. 533 also review and approval of minutes for the 101 meeting. They were moved by Sid.
Seconded by Liz. We all voted in favor. 535. There was a discussion of the noise ordinance research being undertaken by residents of precinct 7. Dates of upcoming noise ordinance meetings noted and plans were made to attend. Making sure that language of the noise
ordinance respects farm work noise from the Greenfield city code. The right to farm is hereby recognized to exist within the city of Greenfield. The above described agricultural activities may occur on holidays, weekdays, and weekends by night or day and shall include the attendant incidental noise,
odors, dust, and fumes associated with normally accepted agricultural practices. It is hereby determined that whatever impact may be caused to others through the normal practice of agriculture is more than offset by the benefits of farming to the neighborhood, community, and society in general. The
benefits and protections of the chapter are intended to apply exclusively to those agricultural and farming operations and activities conducted in accordance with generally accepted agricultural practices. Moreover, nothing in this chapter shall be deemed as acquiring any interest in land or as imposing any land use regulation, which
is properly the subject of state statute, regulation, or local zoning law. Nor is it intended hereby that the creation of an implementation of this chapter supersedes, replaces, modifies, alters, or changes any existing or future Greenfield city ordinance or zoning ordinance or state or federal law
related to agricultural uses within Greenfield. 544. There was a discussion of the Greenfield Conservation Commission's request for a letter of support for their applications for the Community Preservation Act fund. Um, and we all
voted in favor of that. 546 updates and planning for Greenfield Market Farmers Market appearance. We reached out to MDAR to request some farm swag. There was farm related zoning law handouts that we thought we could maybe get Copycat to donate a map of Greenfield to
mark local a projects and um scheduling someone to man the booth during the markets. At just 559 we went back to the right to farm and noise ordinance. And then at 604 there was discussion of flyer distribution pending SID making of
flyer. 605, uh, we filled in members who had been absent about ongoing grievances at Leiden Road in Greenfield Greenery. 612, we talked about the right to farm signs. 6:15, we ended the meeting. >> Great.
Uh, could I please get a motion to accept these minutes? >> Seconded. In favor? All in favor? I All right. So, for new business, before her resignation, Elizabeth Net um asked
us to touch back on the new situation with animal control here in Greenfield. Um so, we have detailed instructions here for contacting animal control when you need them. So, the first and most important thing is that the Greenfield PD doesn't have an in-house animal control officer anymore. So, if we have
an issue uh that we need help with, we have to contact the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. Uh this can be done over phone by calling 4137747340 or we can email them at animal control fs fcso-mma.
us. Um their website I have listed here for more information. Uh it's fcrard dogpanel.org. And uh for anyone who uh doesn't remember this or needs to refer back to it, all of this
information is on the city of Greenfield website under departments animal control. So super easy to find. Um does anyone have any further thoughts on animal control? No. Um I know before the meeting we
mentioned um that there were maybe some issues with whether or not the sheriff's office was available. uh like maybe they had too many things going on at once. So that might be something to keep an eye on. And I've I've called them and
introduced us to them and said hit us up if you ever need anything. Um, so if we're happy with that, I will move on to point number two, um, which I wrote, uh, when we were going to have this meeting on the 4th,
drafting of statement for submission during the February 12th public forum on the proposed noise ordinance for Greenfield. Um, my questions were, is drafted proposal available for public viewing yet, and who is planning on attending this meeting? Uh, answer to
question A, uh, there's not one. this is fully like in research collection stage. Uh so I zoomed into this meeting. Um and it turned out that there was not like a public comment section. So you could like >> submit a statement anyway. Um it was
like you would go to tables and collaborate with the other people at your table and then as your table you would submit to the board. So um but what I learned from zooming into the meeting is that um basically what they've done is uh these people from
precinct 7 whose names escape me um just went through and they downloaded basically every noise noise ordinance for every city in Massachusetts and they've been going through and figuring out like how they overlap and what works for where and how does it interact with
right to farm law and with event spaces and all of that. Um um so personally I'm I'm feeling very positive about how this is going to interact with our right to farm law. Um they specifically
made the statement in the meeting that um the noise ordinance is not like a new law that's going to make things like not against the rules or anything anymore. It's just a way that they like basically they want to set a precedent so that uh
as they do new things these they are thinking about doing it all to the same standard. Um makes sense. >> Yeah. And um like we saw in the minutes, I I pulled the right to farm code from the Greenfield city code. And it's very
specific that like holidays, weekdays, weekends, night or day, the incidental noise is what it is. Um middle of the night. >> Yeah. Yeah. So I'm I'm planning on keeping up to date with that. Um just in
case anyone anything pops up that seems concerning. But um the >> and these are just like citizens in precinct 7 that were doing that. >> Yeah. Cool. >> Um so it was originally in response to noise from the fairgrounds, but the more that they did the research, the more
that they were seeing that like noise ordinances, they address event spaces and they also address like normal business operation and traffic and loud engines and >> all kinds of things like that. Um they have brought it to
um appointments and ordinances and the community relations committee commission. >> That's correct. Community relations committee >> committee. Yeah. >> Um just to kind of like give them the lowdown on what they're doing. And everybody on the community relations
committee um including a couple city councilors and the mayor were like this sounds great. Let's keep going with the research. and then when we get to some kind of point where we feel happy with the research, we'll turn it over to appointments and ordinances
and we can try to draft something. Um, but for the time being, it's very it's in the research phase. And the ladies in precinct 7 are like very specific like we don't want to sit here and tell anyone like what's best for the whole town, >> right? >> So, um I I felt very optimistic after uh
sitting in on that meeting. Um, but if anyone has other concerns, I would be happy to hear them. And obviously, not that I think we get like a huge viewership out in the world of green fields, but but that's the sort of thing that uh,
you know, our neighbors could bring to us too, I think, if they were worried about. Um, anyone have any further thoughts on point two? M >> okay then I'm going to go ahead and move
on to three um which is Elizabeth Net and now also Greg Kootwear. Um I will say this could not have been reasonably anticipated by the chair at the writing of this agenda because it happened just now.
>> Yeah. Um, so their resignation from the Agricultural Commission. Um, neither of them are here to say thank you to, but I'm very thankful for all all their hard work and service. I know Elizabeth Nut basically restarted this commission. Um,
and Greg has been on it from almost the beginning, right? I know it was originally Elizabeth and Dave and >> and me. >> And you? Yeah. >> Okay. So, for a while. >> Yeah. Yes. >> Yeah. Um, Elizabeth said that she was um
she was um spending a lot more time working with her animal rights group >> and so she was feel like it was eating into her >> uh mental bandwidth and Greg was just uh elected president of the beekeeping association. >> Well, that's an issue. >> Yeah. Um and he's just like super
swamped with that. >> How dare he? >> Yeah. Honestly, right. uh personal improvement, personal growth. Um so my I don't know how to go about
this um because I don't think that the open seat that I filled was publicized pretty much at all. >> No, I think for the most part I suggested to both of you that you >> with uh Exactly. So, um I'm curious if we could have like the city of
Greenfield post something on the Facebook page that we've got open chairs. >> I think we'll we'll be posting soon about all of the >> Okay, awesome. >> various openings, right? >> Yeah. >> Um on one hand, it would be nice to have, you know, more people farming. Yes. On
this, but I also realize how busy they can be. Yeah. >> I can text my neighbor who's got a beef farm and ask if he's at all interested. But it's tough. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Um well, so obviously the city at
large will see it when that larger post goes out. But I was also curious if we had like any ideas if we if we had anyone who we thought would be a good fit that we wanted to reach out and invite specifically if that's allowed.
>> It's my neighbor Brian Cleberg. >> Okay. >> Farms. And so I'm I can reach out to him. >> That would be awesome. >> Excuse me. I hate that word. I can contact him. No, >> he definitely >> dates me because I can remember that AT&T commercial. Reach out and touch
someone. >> Oh my gosh, I had thought about it that in a minute. >> Yeah. >> Um I think it would be really awesome if we could get someone involved with the farmers market. >> Oh, that's a good idea. >> Or like the the Greenfield co-op or something like that.
>> That's a very good idea. like someone from one of those. >> Yeah. Or like a if not a managing member than just someone who's like involved. >> Whoever it is has to live in Greenfield. >> Yes.
And they can't own land in Greenfield, right? They have to live in Greenfield as well. Is that correct? >> All members shall be Greenfield residents whenever possible. members should be involved in farming in this community or have some background knowledge of agric agricultural pursuits
in Greenfield. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, restorm on for a bit and he couldn't manage to make the meetings. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> He was pretty busy >> and he had a couple kids.
>> Yeah. I think um I don't know. I don't know. That's tough, huh? We could um do the the just make a note about the open chair and post it at the egg light, too.
I don't I don't know us what the vetting process is like for new members or if we want. >> You just have to um >> send them a letter saying you're interested in what you're >> right. What it's really pretty
straightforward. >> What if we get like more than one person flying? Then we will rejoice. >> That would be awesome. Yeah. Yeah. >> If we have two. >> That's true. Yeah. And and it's up to but not limited to five members, right?
>> It's five. Yep. And the mayor will the mayor reviews any >> Gotcha. Yeah. And then makes appointments. >> Cool. Um Okay. So, if you can reach out to your
neighbor, >> I will. With just a ping, that would be >> Huh. Sorry. Sorry. If you can contact your neighbor. >> Every once in a while, we text to each other. So, >> he lets me know when he's going to shoot off his guns so that my dogs are not outside. >> Art. >> Um, I can try to get in touch with um
Greenfield's Market and see if anyone any of like their member owners or anything would be interested in joining. Um, maybe post a note there and I could post a note at Egway. Lou, would you be willing to try to reach out, try to contact
um Sorry. um like the larger farmers market umbrella like oh the the vendors you mean or because I think a lot of aren't from green in the midst of
>> Yeah that's what I'm thinking >> market manager >> right >> about looking at CISA you know people people who are affiliated with CISA >> that's a good idea >> you can take a look at their I just
Yes, I want and um I I want I almost want to get Hannah on. She's not going to be market managing, >> but but I think she lives in Northampton. That might be true. >> Then look at the CISA website and see,
you know, who is listed with them that lives field. >> That'd be cool. Yeah. Okay. Okay. So maybe instead of the Greenfield farmers market say CISA and in that case would you take either list of people on
the uh Greenfield um Greenfield Cooperative Farmers Exchange. Do they have a list of people? >> Kind of. It's not really kept up to date and I don't think it's exhaustive. >> Yeah. >> Um but I think maybe posting something there is
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. I think that's a good idea >> enough. Okay. Nothing. >> All right. So then Denise, if you want to get in touch with Brian and >> I look at the CISA. >> Yeah. >> Then I can just post a not Greenfield's
Market and I I can't send out a list of Greenfield CISA members to them outside of the meeting. Is that correct? >> Um, >> and if I had done my conflict of interest, I would know. >> That's not conflict of interest. That's open meeting law. Um, so I would say if
you want to work on this as a group, maybe think about two of you volunteering to work on it together and then you're free to talk about it as long as you don't a quorum >> outside of Okay, cool. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Well, I will email one or the other of you. >> Perfect.
>> Okay. >> Um, actually, it would be very helpful to me if the two of you could tackle that. Um because I'm working on some graphic design for the farmers market. Okay. >> For our stand. >> Okay. Do I have your email address?
>> You do have my Well, yeah. Yeah, because we've been on many emails together. >> Yeah, that's right. Okay. All right. I feel happy with that. Yep, I do. Is that right? Mhm.
>> Okay. >> Okay. >> And we're sharing on Friday, so I probably won't get to it until after that. >> That's super fair. >> I uh we have plenty of time to get someone applied and sworn in because >> But I will I will text Brian at all.
>> Who's cheering for you? >> Aaron. >> Oh, nice. >> Yeah, you're welcome to come if you're free. Okay, I'll think about I just I just did a shooting day on Sunday. >> With whom? >> It was Vermont Shepard. >> Okay.
>> Yeah. With Kevin with Blades. >> Oh, yeah. >> Oh, that's cool. >> He's fairly elderly now, isn't he? >> Yeah. Still discussion of um Okay, next page. We are swinging into
old business. Um, update on the right to prom signs. I have a real actual update on these actually. Um, so the sign on French King Highway near Gil Road has been approved by DPW and Glenn says it can be
installed as soon as the ground thaws. >> Never the way things are going. >> Yeah. So when I learned that, I reached out to Hail Signs and asked Sherry if they could print one of the signs and then I could deliver Dicklland's office right away in April to be like, "We're ready.
Let's go." >> Yeah. >> Um and then I realized that Jonathan was also communicating with Hail Signs separately in a separate email chain. So we have consolidated those email chains. All three signs are paid for and they're going to start working on printing
and then DPW can come pick up the signs. >> So, they're going to hold on to them. The two signs that are still waiting on Massachusetts do approval. Uh Ian Hodgegden with Greenfield DPW did
respond to me. He said he is still working with DPW to complete our application for those locations. He says he still has work to do on that end and then also the state will just take some time. >> Okay. >> So, still waiting on those, but I was really thankful to get like a concrete anything. Okay,
>> good. >> Um uh any further notes on the right to farm signs? Uh oh, I also asked for a proof on the right to prom because um you guys had decided on the sign uh before I joined
the committee. Um and they just look like the old ones, the old one that we have and it's cute and it's clean and so awesome. So, our last piece of old business uh review setup for our educational booth at the Greenfield Winter Market on
37 2024. I can go there. Yeah. Um, so I am available to table for this. I'm planning on tableabling for this. I'm still planning on bringing like >> What time is it? >> 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
>> I can come down for part of the time. >> That'd be awesome. >> As long as there's somebody else there. >> Yeah. >> Beautiful. And that's at the >> at the library. >> Yep. Um, so the farmers market sets up
by the one entrance for the library and then close to the kids section of the library like right at those doors is where we'll be set up um with like the other community >> um
bodies. I just was talking to someone Pamela at the library and uh we'll be there with the community preservation commission. So fun. Um,
so as far as what that setup is going to look like, um, Lou forward me some really great graphics from MDAR. Um, which I'm going to use and maybe do like a trifold board or just on the table, whatever I have room for. Um,
and then this is going to go up on an easel on the table so everyone can see it from far away. And then I've got a little print out for each one of uh Greenfield zones zoning
>> okay >> districts um with all of the relevant state law and city law for how farming interacts in that zone. So the idea is you go you what you know you mark your favorite
farm on the map and you figure out where your house is on the map and you see what zone you're in and then you can take your little handout for your zone and you can see what laws what you're allowed to do in your yard for farming. Um and I reached out to MDAR and they're
sending us some like farm swag which should arrive here sometime this week. Next week. Nice. Um so that'll be what time do we need to be there to sign up? Nine. Nine. Okay. That's too bad. I won't be able to do my
lesson that day. And is there parking around the library behind it? Right. It >> does tend to fill up. >> Yeah. Okay. >> One of the few lots in town. So that I mean that's pretty much
everything I brought, but we'd be we'll end up half hour early unless anybody has anything they were thinking about or anything that I'd specifically like put on the agenda for next meeting or anything about the next meeting. Is it supposed to shot blanks?
We're going to give you rounding. >> Right. You said you landing late. I remember. >> Yeah. Um, >> and I got a list of when everybody's due. Not that that makes any has any relation to the real world. >> Um, and I do have the ability to check
on them from afar. So, >> okay. >> I need to. >> Well, in theory, we're supposed to meet April 1st. April fools. >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay, I put it online.
I guess whether or not we meet will be dependent on if we get a new member and whether or not we all can. Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. I should have made a list and looked at it about it. I mean, I have a
list at home. Doesn't And there may be a bunch of them. I mean, the chances of them lamming at 5:30 on April 1st are pretty slim. I wouldn't stress about it yet.
I've been um feeling a little bit like now that the signs are like out of our hands, we don't have really anything to talk about for our whole hour. So like I think uh when we do get to April, I'm going to try again to reach out to those
two people with the grievances because the weather's going to start to warm up and maybe like smell issues are going to come back again. So they might talk a little bit about that. >> It's kind of tough marijuana smell to understanding.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. These are going to be great notes. You guys are going to love them. >> Thank you for taking them seriously. Thank you. >> I send them to you. So to sit, yeah,
they have to be approved at the following meeting and then >> Okay. >> Yeah. You can just drop them in that Google Drive, you know, make copies of what you're doing. >> Good talk, guys. Yeah. Okay. All right. Uh, can I can uh So
move. >> Yeah. I'd like to request a movement to end the meeting. >> So moved >> wonderfully. I wonderful. I second that. All in favor? >> I I Right. >> Thank you.