hereby call to order the regular meeting of the SOFK Agricultural Commission. The date is February 11th at 7:08 p.m. Uh we have a quorum with myself, Zach Barnett, Lenita Bober, Deb Humphrey, and Bert Hansen. Uh welcome everyone. Thank you for
coming. Uh we have a guest um Diane Gale and she has some things she'd like to speak about. >> Thank you for having me. and tell >> that I think we'll fit into this
conversation. >> I'm not doing that one yet. >> Uh Diane Gail, 5oint Grove Road. Um I'm here as a resident and one of the founders and the chair of the Friends of the Southwick dog park, a 501c3 corporation.
Um our mission has been to um create a dog park in Southwick. We've been looking since 2022ish um for a suitable piece of property. Our goal has been to raise public awareness,
support, and promote the dog park and its adjacency to the rail trail and to assure access and enjoyment by all ages. So, what we have been looking for obviously is a piece of property that um can accommodate a dog park and get us
close enough to the rail trail to add additional parking and another northern access point to the rail trail because we have very limited parking to the south. >> We've done that. Um, we have
been gifted made this presentation to Tilcon on Hudson Drive, you know, where they're doing all that mining. They have gifted us 32 acres
>> of property. about 22 or three acres of it is riverfront area unbuildable and wetlands to the north and you can have a peek at that and pass that around. Here's a you can pass over there. >> Sorry, who was the donor who gave the
name >> uh we made this presentation to the president. Um she absolutely adored the project um and very graciously granted us the unbuildable undevelopable wetlands and woodlands as
part of it and um enough acreage to get in our parking for the rail trail and plenty for the dog park. Um the intergenerational and accessibility for all part of this is in the dog park. Traditionally, a dog park will have a
large dog, small dog. We are going to have large dog, small dog. We're going to have a senior dog area for senior citizens and senior dogs or dogs with medical concerns that are not going to be comfortable or intimidated in the pit
with the active dogs. We're also going to have a we call it kind of kinder pup first timers coming in a section that's a little bit off so that they can get acclimated to this kind of atmosphere before they put them into the pit. Try
it out first. see how it goes. Um, and then we think we have enough room also to keep another section that we could let dog trainers come in with individuals, you know, bringing in a new dog and do some training in in an area set off a little bit. Um, in the plan,
we have endeavored to make this as maintenance-free as possible. There's going to be no per impervious surfaces. Everything is going to be permeable. It's going to be hard pack gravel roadway in initially. The dog park will
be a tumbled stone, deep tumbled stone that is for no maintenance, no flee and tick attractant. Um, if we put in mulch or wood chips, that has to be replenished and it does attract the bugs. Okay.
>> Um, we're going to drill a well so there's no water requirement on the town. And I'll get to the town in a second. And we want to do this all with private funds, donations, grants. Um we're not
going to be going for we're not going to ask the town to apply for grants on behalf of this because then we come under um strict requirements for you know three bids and you have to take the the best bid um and we would have to do
prevailing wage. We can do this a lot faster and a lot less expensive. And we have commitments from a lot of contractors, business owners, um, fencing people that are offering to contribute in whatever way they can. If
we use those kinds of grants, we're limited in what we can accept as donations um, to do that. So, we think we can do this faster, less expensive. Um, and we're also going to have a solar
component in the project. Um, on the second page of this is, um, we're going to have covered parking, carport type parking with solar panels on top for both sides.
>> It's the it's that second the long page >> underneath. Um and then shade structures within the dog park areas. Um you our initial plan thinking is that we'll have additional solar panels on those. The parking areas
are going to be lit a half hour before and after sun up and down. Um the park will not be open during 24/7. The park will be opened on to dusk, but the parking arrows will be lit for stragglers or early comers and
stragglers so they can get to their car safely. >> How is it powered when the sun's not out? Down power? >> No, it'll it'll have its own energy. It'll have its own electric bill and excess power from these. Um, and then we're going to have cameras. We'll have
a camera system there as well for to avoid vandalism. Um, and the end game here is once the the park and the parking area are developed,
we intend to gift the entire parcel of 32 acres, that whole 32 acres to the town of South. these wild uh the riverfront areas and the in the wetlands will be open to the
public to traverse and hike and bird watch and you know check out the wildlife in there. Um and the biggest benefit even if you don't like dogs is this shadowed line
through the middle here. This is the roughly the >> is roughly the um you've heard talk over the last 10 or 20 years about connecting Sam West to Hudson Drive.
>> This is roughly the the design of that roadway. The latest one that they brought in front of conservation and the planning board is roughly that line. >> Well, it's east west extended. >> Correct. All the way to Hudson. >> That's cool. So,
that's a couple of years away. Our project is is at least a two-year funding and build project as well. Um, so we have that plan. If the town starts working on this, we can flex our design to go with whatever that road
construction has to be and the town can accept this entire property and not have to now acquire that. we're going to give them the land for that roadway. >> So, even if you don't like dogs, >> there's a benefit to every single person
in town. >> If you don't ride the bike trail, you and you have a dog, you're still going to benefit. You'll benefit from if you hike, you can come in here. If you bird watch, you can come in here. Um, if you don't like any of that, you're still
going to benefit. Oh, and all the excess power I said from from our solar installation. The beneficiary of any excess solar will be the town of Southwick and they can assign it to any one of their electric bills for Wall-E Park, for this
building, for the DPW building, for the library, wherever they choose to designate it. So, we are we designed all of this definitely for a dog park, definitely for rail trail parking, but for the benefit of every single person
in this town. And we're like ecstatic to present this to everybody. looks great. >> We brought it to the select board on Monday as as the first introduction to it and I'm going around to the other boards and commissions and just letting them know what what the project is.
>> Um yeah, >> and >> everyone benefits because there won't be as much dog stuff in other places. >> Well, you'll still find it on the rail trail, I'm sure, because the dogs don't care. Uh >> is it fenced off from the TCON property?
>> It will. It will be the dog the the wetland areas. It'll probably just be staked. It won't be fenced because we can't we can't intrude on the on the wetlands either. Um but there will be stakes in it with the perimeters. The dog park each section will be a separate
se um fenced area. The on the park on the rail trail parking side. We may put a fence along the roadside when it's there. That's a future plan. um just just to really separate it from the roadways.
Um so what my ask is of you is for this board to consider this plan and decide if they endorse it or not and if we could get a letter of support. It certainly helps us in our grant applications to have as much support
from the town and the residents or small businesses that we can and I can send you a template of that letter. Send me something >> and you can modify it to your board's interest in it >> and like an overview of what the whole project is. Can you send? >> Yeah, I will send you the entire packet.
>> Okay, perfect. >> Do you have any kind of ballpark what it might cost? We figure um the solar is going to be the big piece, but I have plans to ask for a lot of donations on that as well.
>> So going to be purchased, not like one of the >> No, we well our initial plan is to build it on those structures. Um and we've one of one of our board members is in the electrical union and has a lot of contacts in that solar field. Um, so
we've got some conversations going on options for that. Um, there's also a solar field right here, >> right, >> that I may have a conversation with them and ask them. I'm not afraid to ask for donations. >> Yeah, >> I I wasn't afraid to ask for donation.
Um, you know, there might be a a way to negotiate without having to put any other installations in the park other than our covered parking and borrow or or get some solar generation right from the neighbor. >> That's a possibility.
>> And I think this ties in with several of the action items on the master plan. >> There are 22 to 25 specific items in the master plan that this pro this entire project addresses. Absolutely. >> I didn't think it was that many, but great.
>> It's that many. Yes, indeed. Yes, indeed. >> You're good for the next three years. >> Like I said, we've been working on this been working on this for quite a while. Um Yeah. And and actually, I just learned that in the open space and recreation plan, a community dog park
was one of the goals there as well. And I didn't know that until yesterday. >> So, we got that covered, too. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, >> one other really important question. Does Dave McWills know about this? >> Not exactly. He knows we've been working on it. Um,
>> he's been talking about a dog park for >> He knows we've been working on it. >> Yeah, I haven't contacted. Like I said, we came to the select board first. We didn't want it coming out and then having people hear about it. We're we're going through the correct communication channels um and looking for that
support. And >> I'm just excited that that the town would have something with solar. I mean that was ours the towns. >> Well, we we hope that's going to we hope that's going to play out. >> We haven't had I was one of those that I
mean I would have had solar all over the schools. I would have had them all over the town hall >> when we did this building. I asked them why aren't we putting solar on right now while we're putting on this new roof? And they hadn't thought about it. And it's I believe the the um
rebates are still around for not for personal homes, but they're still around for >> municipal >> businesses. >> You can still you can still get some. >> Yeah. >> And a tax incentive on my house. >> A tax incentive won't help us because
we're a nonprofit. >> We don't have we don't have the tax implication, but there may be rebates. >> Yeah. that it's the it's the part that they they rebate you. I would think because the tax incentive was like $1,000 no matter how many panels I put on. Yeah. And that's that's not a life
breaker for me, but to get, you know, I mean, if if if you could still get a certain amount off. >> Um, >> and there are a number of It's surprising how many grants are available. There are specific there's a grant I'm going to go for for the solar. It's actually a dermatology
grant putting up shade structures with solar elements >> to avoid the sun poisoning and the sun cancer. >> So, you got to be creative in how you look for these grants what you're looking for. We're looking for senior recreation. We're looking for dog health
and welfare. So, we're going to I'm going to go to Chewy. I'm going to go to some of the dog drug companies. um all kinds of you gota >> think outside that box for grants too. You just don't look for dog park grants. >> So
cool. >> So any suggestions you all have? I'm welcome to all of them. >> Time I would love to if if there are people that will be knowing how to do it. >> I would love to because there's some things on our schedule that require
>> No, I threw them. >> Sorry. >> Well, just a suggestion. Yeah, it's there are some great ones and it would but I don't know a lot of like grants. I mean I know what can be mixed in with things because I was a teacher but so I know what you can put in sometimes if
it's ones that are school and and other committees and stuff but I don't know how to write grants and I thought oh I'd love to like sit in with somebody. >> We don't really either. One of our board members has some she was an educator as well and she has some experience with them so she's kind of taken the lead on
that and we'll we'll all help her with it but we'll figure it out. We didn't know how to >> start a nonprofit either, but figured it out. >> So, um, and and you know, I share whatever I know with whoever I know wants it. So, >> yeah, we can share that.
>> Definitely want >> I will send you a whole package and you can share it with the rest of >> We should probably have a vote on boarding this. Yeah, >> well, you I don't know if you want to share it with the rest. It's It's not a We don't need it today. And of course
your letter. We're asking for a letter of >> when do you need a pie? >> Um I appreciate >> you know next month is okay. We're going to be putting our >> before next meeting. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> Yep. That'd be fine. Appreciate it very
much. Thank you. >> That on the agenda for next evening. >> But I mean I think it's a no-brainer. >> We're excited. May 23rd, we will doing a public kind of launch and fundraiser. We're we have a planning meeting tomorrow to put all
that together and you'll be of course kept informed on on those developments. And if there's any way you think that the agricultural commission can fit into that um endorsement, public endorsement, welcome.
>> What are you doing for the fundraiser piece of it? Uh, we're going to be inviting dog related, some dog trainers, uh, dog whisperers, uh, dog related duty dashers, the the the pickup, um,
>> like if somebody made >> dogs things or uh, Tori Mc Williams, we're going to invite her as one of the vendors there to help promote and draw people in. And of course, we're going to fundraising and awareness. We're looking for members, volunteers for the
organization, just like Friends of the Rail Trail has volunteers that go out and work on the grounds and stuff. Um, so it's a a multi-purpose watch. >> I I mean, I just know people that my one of my best friend is a dog fanatic and she has a whole network of dog fanatics
and they like sometimes we'll make items for when there's a charity event that somebody's raising. >> We will be doing raffles. Yeah, absolutely. So if Yep. welcome all of those ideas. >> Okay. >> Absolutely. And Zach has my email and
phone number. Feel free to share it. And um >> I actually shared the new contact list with everyone. >> All right. This is my personal email though, not my >> Oh, okay. >> Gotcha. >> I will email you this document with that. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That makes sense. >> Thank you so much.
>> Yeah. You're welcome. >> Thank you. >> It's good. >> Um we do have an online guest. >> Yeah. Hi Sarah. Hello Sarah. Is that you? >> Oh yes. Hi. Um >> Bert. Which one is Bert? Hi.
>> Um sounds like an amazing dog park you have coming. Southway. >> Um is Pete Westover on this meeting? >> He doesn't seem to be that I can tell. >> It took me a while to get in. Um,
>> yeah, I was too. Sorry. >> No, I know it's it's awkward these Zoom meetings. Um anyway, I have to uh leave at 7:30. So, I don't think I can I can contribute much at all other than to say um
we we would love to work with you all um and to come in a better time um to talk about new things that agricultural commissions can do especially with regard to farmland protection. Um, and we are
holding a roundt um, in the Pioneer Valley on February 28th. It's a roundt meeting for agricultural commission members. And Bert knows Bert, you're coming, right? >> Yes, I am. And and another member of this commission is coming as well.
>> Oh, good. Okay. >> Yeah. >> I'm going to send you the blurb and the flyer and the link to register cuz I really don't have many contacts down there and you're in Hamden. You're in Hampton County, right? >> Yeah. >> Um, we'd like people to come, but um, I
have a very short list of agricultural commissions down there. And really, this isn't just for agricultural comms. It's it's for, you know, planning board members. Anyone who cares about agriculture and farms and farmland, we'd like to have be part of this
conversation. So we talk for about half an hour about roles, responsibilities and things that agricultural commissions can do now. And then we turn it into a listening session where everyone has an opportunity to
talk and we go around the room and so we hear what some adcoms have done. You know, they've all done some of them have done really interesting things. Some of them are kind of gone to sleep over the years. Um, so we're trying to revive the ones that have gone to sleep. We're
trying to encourage new ones to form and we want to sort of highlight and learn from each other about interesting things that this summer doing cuz some I actually Pete told me you all are doing some really interesting things down there. Um, >> yeah. >> Yeah, we think so.
>> So, we want to hear that. Like we would love to hear that because that would inspire other adcoms. Um like most of them are you know one reason it's really hard for us to get the word out about these is that on town websites usually there's an agricultural commission email
a contact but it doesn't go anywhere or that person is long gone. So it's just very hard to get the word out. So, at this point, um it's just nice to see you all and I'm excited to hear more about
what you're doing and if you could help spread the word down there, that would be amazing. >> Anyone's welcome. Planning board, farmers, farm resource people, citizens who care. We want them all. >> Do you have a a date in mind yet for
that? >> Yes. Yes, it's all set. It's on February 28th, 10 to noon. and at Smith Vogue case unofficial. Yeah. >> And I and I'll send you the info bird
and um please share it widely. We would really appreciate it. >> Okay. Yeah. Well, I had the idea somehow there was going to be another one. There's a bunch of them lined up, aren't there? Later in the spring? I'm not sure. But anyway, because what Pete said, right? Yeah. Yeah,
>> that's the one we're doing in this region. And then we have one out in Plymouth County and one out. >> They're all over the state. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, um, yeah, that's the date. >> Sorry. >> Well, Jen will go.
>> I'll try. I'm not sure what I'm doing that day yet, but I'll let you know. >> It's a Saturday. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Couple hours. >> And then we're hoping to hold a like another statewide conference as we used
to do. um or as there used to be. Um but that hasn't been scheduled yet. Um >> okay. >> So I have to run. I'm sorry about Pete. I don't know what happened, but >> he may have given up trying to get in.
>> It was kind of challenging to get in. >> Yeah, it was a little late tonight. Sorry about that. >> It's okay. It's okay. Um, happy to come back another time if we can be helpful and talk in more detail. >> Yeah, that'd be great. Let's let's uh
let's keep that in mind. >> Okay. >> All right. Um, I'm gonna sign off. Bye. >> All right. Thank you very much. >> Good night. Thanks. >> Good to meet in in person, so to speak. >> You, too. >> That sounds like a great meeting. >> Yeah, it does.
>> What was Sarah's name? >> Gardener. >> Gardener. >> I didn't know if she was a gardener. All right. >> What group is she with? >> MDAR. >> MDAR. Okay. >> It's actually on the unofficial agenda.
>> Official. >> Yeah, I screwed up the agenda this week. I sent last month's and somehow it got processed. I was I was looking at the one that first came out and I said, "Wait a minute. Where's this, this, and this?"
Yeah, it's right here. Anyway, >> it happens. >> Other business. Um, public comments. I think we're good on those. Um, our budget,
that's just kind of an ongoing thing. Um, at this point, we're going to need to spend money sooner or later. >> Um, and we should, this time of year, we should always keep in mind that our current budget goes till June, right? June 30th. Yep. We still have we still have money. >> We still have quite a bit of money. So,
we should start thinking about um any upgrades we need for the community garden. Um >> I don't know if we want to get a bigger pump or just more batteries for that pump. >> Yeah, >> that's that's one thing we can talk
about. Um but probably by a end of April, we we're going to want to fill up those holding tanks. Yeah. >> People can use them. Um, and get probably get some fittings for them, too, so burn hoses can get hooked up to them easier. >> Yeah. >> So you don't have to just use a bucket. Um,
>> yeah, >> we're need some more of those fence post things if we're going to finish the rest of it. We got most of them done. >> Yeah, I think there's 12 to go. >> Yeah, I was going to say 10 or 12. Yeah. So, just FYI, Diane, what we're doing is
we have a little a little battery operated pump so we can get water from the well at the community garden uphill to a couple of big containers and then hook up some hoses. >> It works, but the batteries don't last long enough to
>> I can imagine. >> Yeah, it's like 1.7 horsepower or something, but it gets the water. >> Yeah, it actually pumps pretty quickly, but it came with a really chintzy battery. They make much bigger batteries. Um, you should check Nol's Produce and Green Nol's produce supply
and Nol's greenhouse supply out of Pennsylvania because they're Amish. Amish and Menanite. So, a lot of what they have is >> battery or Yeah. Yeah. >> And it's What are the names of those? >> N O L Ts
>> Nols Produce Supply and Nols Greenhouse Supply. It's the same family. They just kind of split it into I'll try to remember next time to bring the cataloges. >> All right, cool. >> Because there's stuff in there and there's a lot of fittings and and all of that kind of stuff for for, you know,
irrigation and and um >> from small, you know, from like garden right up to >> big kind of stuff. by it. >> Yes, >> that's it. >> Um, and then we're going to need to by June 30th, we should probably start
thinking of getting advertising and stuff for farm day again. >> Um, we don't really have any events between now and then, do we? >> No. No. >> Are you doing anything for the 250th? >> So, it's the same weekend, I believe, as
far day. >> Yeah. Mhm. >> So, Saturday is 50th. >> It's actually on my my unofficial agenda to talk about. >> So, we're going to make I I want to make a weekend of it. >> Yeah. Um Yeah. Because the parade and
fireworks and everything is Saturday the 15th and the third third Sunday of August is usually when we do farm day. >> That's the next day. >> So, >> I hadn't put that together. Yeah. >> Yeah. I know. Me either. I actually heard about it from Pat Odor. I went to a historical society program. Um,
>> I think we should make a big, you know, big deal about it. >> Yeah. Make it a make it a weekend. >> 250 years of farming in South. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I mean, >> you could introduce a heritage loco. >> We could do that.
>> Um, so yeah, I mean, I don't think we should shy away from our weekend. Then we have to buy all kind of the new >> problem there. >> So, >> no, I like that. Incorporate it. Yeah. >> Yeah. 200 years of funding in south 250 years of priming south of us is
>> Yeah. I think it's I think it works out well. >> Yeah. >> And also the best field fair this year is the next weekend, >> right? So, we don't have to compete with them. >> Yeah. >> Usually Yeah. Usually we have competition. >> I wonder if we stole enough of their people to get them changed.
We had people from all over the world. >> Well, maybe there were more weekends or something in >> Yeah, it probably just felt weird this, >> right? It just fell that way. >> I was just making a choice. >> Like to think that, but
>> um I'm going to go down the official budget or official agenda first. Um recruit new AdCom members. Anyone got anyone? You skipped some stuff further up, didn't you? >> No, you're on the unofficial one. >> I'm gonna do the official one because
then then I can do other matters and the rest of this can >> be more technically correct. >> I've asked a few people, but I >> Yeah, >> don't have anybody yet. I even asked my accountant. >> He has chicken. So, I'm thinking maybe he had no interest. >> Stay in the board is recruiting all the
time. You're not alone on that. >> Um it'd be nice get one or two people. Um I think we're gonna be one another one short too. I don't see Sage renewing. I don't
>> He just hasn't been able to attend any of the meetings. So >> um I don't know. Also, Diane, in your travels, we need a tech person to do our website and our Facebook and our Instagram. >> We actually don't care if they really
know anything about >> they don't even know anything about farming. >> Just need to be able to get the word out for everything we're doing. >> I have that problem. >> Yeah. Yeah. I imagine you did. >> I don't know. Any 18 plus kid could do
it. >> Just not us, right? >> I just don't have the time. just I don't like social media either, but it's a necessary evil, I suppose. >> Oh, Deb, how about Mark? >> My Mark.
>> Yeah, >> he's not he's not much of a talker. >> Plus, he's pretty busy now with the baby and and and all that. And >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. He's not a talker. That's
Monita can attest to that. No, >> no. And he's a little bit technical, but he still comes to find Katie quite a bit. >> Oh, yeah. Well, he's he's at some things, but it's also not something he ever has time to do, even himself, to do,
>> you know, he's because he's usually outside >> doing agricultural things instead. >> Remember a couple meetings ago, Moheay's name got brought up. If anyone ever talked to her about it, >> she does mine. That's what I had said because I said, "We need somebody like Mo who who seems excited about doing
it." But then I said, "Well, she's busy with scouts and stuff." >> Yeah. I mean, I couldn't mention it, but she's got four kids and I know Cub Scouts and all that. >> Yeah. Her kids are friends with my couple kids. >> Did they make the snow ice cream the other night?
>> No, they didn't do that. But um >> yeah, Calvin's in his name right now. Yeah, Fitzy's Fitzy's uh class and then >> the younger daughter the daughter is in my >> seven-year-old's class.
>> Yeah, she most seemed excited about it when she does your stuff. She seems very enthusiastic about it. So, >> yeah, we could steal her for an hour a week. >> I mean, I thought she does a lot of it at home even just trust her to Yeah. So, >> yeah, I've seen I mean, I've seen a lot
of your stuff popping up a lot. So, >> yeah, she does. child. >> So, she's doing doing a good job. >> Yeah, I'll imagine. >> Um All right. Uh farm to school grants. We were gonna
>> found any of the grants yet um that that I've come across that like really hit me as anything that would be a farm to school. I'll keep looking for those >> um for that. >> Even if it's like a weird thing like dermatologist,
>> right? Yeah. Um, yeah, I'm look I've been >> So, how be applied, >> right? I've been looking on those things and I just haven't seen anything that seems like it would, you know, fit us right now, but I'll keep hunting on that. Um, so I shifted my gears and I hunted for
>> invasive species information >> cuz I thought, well, that's something else we need. And I was able to do much better on that. >> Oh, I'm sure. I well and I yeah there's stuff there's a lot of stuff out there but the yeah the grant stuff I haven't found anything right yet that I felt
overly inspired that it would be like hey we get that um but I'll keep looking >> do you know who does do you know who does grants at the at the school >> specifically at the school we used to
have a grant years ago there was a grant writer the schools, but I don't know if there is one anymore. >> I think it was Aaron, but she left and I think they're struggling to find someone as well. >> Yeah.
>> But if you need assistance, we have people on the town staff that may be able to help you. So, if you identify something that you're really hot on, >> okay, >> let me know. I will try to connect you with someone who can assist you at least with getting started or doing it or
>> you know coaching you on it. >> Okay, >> cool. And >> y I am feeling some cold air here. >> Cool air. >> Oh, do you want it? >> No, no, that's fine. >> It was like 90 degrees when I got here. I was literally just sitting here
sweating. I need to turn it down. Um, so master plan action items. Um, >> that's where if anybody wants to see the the >> Well, that Yeah, we're going to talk about farmers forum, I think. Oh, okay. >> That is our action item.
>> We need to do a recap on it. So, >> um, I thought it went well. We didn't have as many people as we have in the past. Um, >> yeah, >> I think we need to do a better job at reaching out ahead of time. Um, I was
thinking instead of just trying to email people or we still probably email and invite them on Facebook, but let's send engraved in invitations like old school snail mail, send it out to all the farms, anyone who's a friend of the egg,
you know, people that come here sometimes. Um, I mean, there something else we can spend our budget on, you know, to really outreach. I think if I got, you know, if I got an invitation in the mail, I'm way more likely to attend
to it, attend an event than just send me a random email. Now the meeting, now the meeting can start. So, quarter of eight, you're starting, >> do you push any notifications and track? Um, we should have it. We do for farm day >> or interstate.
>> Yeah, we that's probably a good idea. >> They're in there for hardware all >> Yeah. Yeah, we need to do a better job at >> and even O'Reilly. >> Yeah. Or Napa or >> Yeah. And Yep. That's where I run into the
>> or or if you found a way to start my suggestion that said have a way that we can have a daily something that pops up on our phone with a daily thing of what's going on in town in case people find they have free time. I there was a thing on should we have signs and my my
suggestion was we need to not have more signs but we need to have a way that in the morning if I pop up I can click a thing that says Southwood. I mean a lot of times I systems but it's more for like emergency type stuff >> right but I don't know if there's a way
to do that we don't have any techies we have been talking about that as well um and because the code red had its issues and we're shopping for a better one >> um that there might be channels you can subscribe to if you want events going on
in town >> subscribe to that and get the notification if you only want emergency alert subscribe to that. So, we're looking for something that can be segmented. >> Yeah. I I've been on other city websites and stuff and you can sign up for notifications and just like you're saying. Yeah. >> So, the system is out there. I just I
don't know. >> I just think it would be cool like sometimes if somebody finds they have a free time and it's something they're interested in, if they're notified in the morning of something, they might go, "Oh, I could remember to do that." Because that's about as far as my memory goes with things sometimes is, you know,
somebody taps me in the morning. I look at my big calendar, but I don't always put everything on there, but if something cancels, I could switch my plans >> and I think it would people would be good about getting notified about things like sporting events in town or other things that are going on that
>> they might have thought, oh, it'd be really >> stuff at the library. >> Yeah, sometimes you have it and I get certain reminders, but then again, I don't get it like the day of in case something changes and I could go to it. Um, so yeah, I didn't even know if something like that existed, but I kept
thinking, boy, that would be nice. So that if we had when we had our thing going on, those people that had subscribed to it would just it would pop up and go tonight, remember it's the, you know, open form or it's farm day or whatever. So that, you know, people in
town would have a constant flash. People seem to need more reminders because there's so much going on. >> Life is hard. It's a lot. Well, there's just so much to pick from. >> Yeah. >> So, any any other takeaways from
the farmers forum? We got the list of notes. >> Yeah, I took a bunch of notes. Um I selected to bring Oh, I saw my pictures. So, that's right. >> So, remember they were talking about pointing down the road towards Brandy,
Connecticut. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. and doing a sort of welcome wagon kind of information thing. >> That's why I was late. I went to that Graanby, Connecticut agricultural meeting just now. >> Mhm.
>> And I told them that we would like a list of their farms, the product they sell, >> and maybe we could have a conf combined pamphlet. >> Yeah. Yeah. of all the local farms, both
towns. >> So, they said they already had one made up. >> So, I said, "Well, that's great. Give them to us and we'll give you one >> and you can put ours at, you know, both of them at all the farms and they're they're big on it. They want
>> Oh, good. >> Yeah. >> So, I'll pass this around. This is their >> This is their pamphlet." >> Okay. And on it it has >> Oh, they've got hikes, farms, and art
studios. >> They have trails. They have trails, art studios, and all the farms that sell different products. you know, whether it be fruits, vegetables,
or like what you got bugged up. Some of them have a couple bakeries, they said. >> Damn, it looks pretty cool. >> Ours, you know, our South Lake Farm Trail that needs to be updated. Yeah,
>> but that would be good on a pamphlet. our trail. We got trails. Yeah. The Trail Trail, Sofanowski property. >> Um, which is close to Graanby, Connecticut, too. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> We don't have art studios, so
>> we probably just don't know about >> ceramics place in town, isn't it? It's across from the >> It's actually an art studio on Sunnyside, too. >> Delic. >> Uh, it's a small It's by appointment
only. It's not an open studio like this. >> Okay. >> I I knew she'd come to the senior center before. >> Michelle. Yeah. >> With a little map updated. >> That's really cool. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. That's great.
>> Yeah. I thought that was pretty cool. They had a map on there and Yeah. So, you have a good contact there. >> Yep. Her name is Ellen. We got her phone number. >> When you get when you think of it, you want to send that around to all of us
more closely. >> Yeah. Just forward that forward that to all of us >> or email or whatever through here. >> Yeah. I thought I even though there wasn't huge amounts of people in last farm forum
>> I felt like they were very yes I think they be they were more >> comfortable with this now >> um >> maybe but they definitely from last year to this year's I think the farmers seemed to participate more >> absolutely >> which was good that was one of the goals
was to try to get them to participate more >> yeah everyone but that's good though and and lots of positive lots of positive ideas that they had which was I thought marvelous you know I mean that's just more heads working
together >> and >> I gave him and his wife a t-shirt that was sad >> yeah that's that's what it is why' you bring it in >> I thought we were going to be talking about >> oh okay design questions we can it's on
it's on the fake agenda Okay. >> I like the design that you came up with talking about next. >> That's pretty cool. That looks good. >> I want the animals a little I want the cow a little bigger. >> That's it
initially. >> Just because I'm a cow fan. >> I know. Cool. >> Um, so yeah, I think you know, maybe start a little earlier next year getting ready for Farmers Forum so we can get Yeah. >> probably order maybe even like mail out
save the dates, not just emails. >> Oh, okay. Yeah. Who has the list of because we're registering people who ended up with that list? >> Um, Jen, maybe. >> I think Jen. >> Okay. >> My wife Julia took a picture of it.
Okay, that's good. Um, I'd like to make a master list, like a an Excel spreadsheet or something. Um, just so it's not like all over the place. I want like one master list of up to date. >> You know, I can work on that at some point if I get the data.
>> And in addition to people who actually came and signed in, we have a long list of who we've emailed. >> Yeah. >> But, um, >> some of the emails though that I sent them out to, they bounce back. they don't exist or they're not in there correctly. >> Um, yeah, you gota look on that, too.
>> Yeah. So, I can make like a master email list for that. >> And I don't know, maybe because it came from the South AdCom email, some of them might have gone to spam because it's not they don't know. Usually comes from you,
right? So, >> that's I don't know. I think we physically mail some people stuff. They can't say they didn't get it, right? >> Even, you know, save the date could be like a postcard. >> Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Save on postage.
Um, so we can get those printed. I mean, they both be postcards. That's true. Yeah, why not? I don't I don't know what postage on postcard is anymore, but probably more than a stamp used to be.
Yeah. >> Or we could even hand deliver some too. >> I want to say last I knew it was 36 cents, but I'm sure it's more than that. >> Yeah. Keeps going up. >> And the food, we had a lot of food left. >> The food is it was a good spread though. >> It was good. Oh, yeah.
>> People were eating. Sometimes people are pretty finicky about eating. People dove right into that stuff. >> I mean, they were eating. >> I think it allowed them to stay longer. The other thing I noticed was that they >> last year the the it wasn't all all the farmers that stayed later. It was some
other people, you know, that but >> there were farmers that stayed late chatting, which is, you know, nice cuz you don't get together that often. >> Well, Anita and uh the cowards and >> and you guys are here. >> I know, but they all left.
>> You guys are still ting up a storm out there. respond lights are off. We're still talking. >> That's right. That's right. >> This guy is like, "Come on, get out of here."
>> Taking the garbage out here. >> Anyway, gone up. >> That's good. >> If we mail stuff from here, do we have to pay for the postage? >> No, I don't think so. So, we save money that way.
I think >> I don't know if they charge. >> Yeah, I don't think they do. I think we've done it in the past. Yeah, there's no like line item in our budget for that. >> Yeah. I mean, I don't care if it comes out of our budget or not, but >> Yeah. >> But we're just going to mail to the farmers anyway. >> Yeah. Farmers, anyone else who's, you
know, been >> think of the Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, people that didn't come like the Priies didn't show up. They usually do. Eningga usually shows up, I think. Um, yeah, >> we could add the people that have plots at the community garden on our list.
>> Yeah, absolutely. >> We know they're gardeners and they might be, you know, interested in some of the events. >> Yeah. Super husk didn't show up. He usually comes. >> Did Mike, >> that that kid that fixed our doors on
the fences, did he respond about being a commissioner? >> Uh, not yet. They came they came to >> No. Yeah. Yeah. >> Um but I haven't followed up with him. Yeah. >> He's very interested in this whole well and pump and storage tank thing though.
Cool. >> He can help build it. He's one of us. I mean, he can anyway. >> Looks like he's a good builder. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Did a good job. Yeah, the doors came out nice. >> And we have 12 more fence posts we got to upgrade. >> Only 12 left, so I think it's only 12. I
know we'll have to start over. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Soon as it all right, get the next 57. >> It's like when they paint the Golden Gate Bridge, soon as they get done, they go all the way back across the bridge and start. >> Yeah, I heard that.
>> Takes like four or five years, >> then they have to go right back to the start again. >> All that sea breeze. >> Yeah. >> Just destroyed this all. Yeah. >> All right. Um, moving right along. Think that's good for farmers form for now.
I included the Elie Driscoll administration has a new farm transfer program secures future for Massachusetts family farms. So we were talking about, you know, what farmers can do with their,
you know, pass it down to their kids or not. Um, apparently they have a whole new program now that they'll help you do it. Um, there's a whole website set up for it. Sure. If you click that link right there, it brings you to
>> um, I think I emailed this to everyone, right? >> If not, I will. >> Okay. Welcome. >> I I emailed a lot of stuff out last week. I don't know if that was included or not, but um yeah, they have people that will actually help, you know, help
you plan it. Um >> I was reading they they won't help you with like tax stuff and like the legal stuff, but they'll kind of steer you in the right direction. Um, and they'll help you like kind of solidify, you know, a a plan moving forward like the
best way to, you know, pass your land along and your farm and all that without taking, I mean, if you don't do it right, you take huge tax hit. >> Um, that's like one of the main problems I
think. I wonder if we can get somebody to come talk to us about it. >> Yeah. Um I mean MDR seems to be pretty big. Maybe this my guy director of communications
if it's fu or fu. Yeah. Anyway, um his email's right there. So, yeah, I can reach out. Maybe have him as a guest for the next farmers forum. >> Yeah, >> something like that. Or maybe he could, you know, have someone come out.
>> Yeah. If it's not hearing someone >> think we do have a lot of, you know, farmers that are getting pretty old. No offense, >> but I mean they got to do something. >> Yeah. >> Otherwise it'll just >> Yeah.
become a problem or >> Yeah, >> Zach. See, see if I got >> blown up. Sent that. >> Yeah, you got it. >> Good job, D. Thought I turned my ringer
off, but I guess I didn't. Yeah. Okay, perfect. It's good. Um, while Diane's here, she would help uh artificial intelligence, created a logo for us. Yeah,
>> a suggestion. >> A suggestion. >> That looks great. My reason I brought this stuff was it would be great to have a logo, >> but we need our stuff to look like it belongs together. you know, >> uh, along won't
>> achieve that. Yeah. B, by itself. >> Y, >> I actually tried to use the colors in your brochure, if you'll see in the color of one. >> Y >> and and bring all of those into it. >> Oh, you did print the color one. Cool. >> Yeah. Yeah, I do have a color trainer at work.
>> And maybe put that on top of it that's on the shirt. I hope. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> just something to food for thought and give you something to work with. >> And I think I'm sure you'd probably want to use like the black and white version just so
>> and on your letter head. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Or full color handles and stuff. And I mean I think it's I you know I love it. >> I there's a butt coming. It's to me it's
my two cents. It's a little busy. There's a there's a lot going on in there >> for you to work with. >> I think when you everything when you shrink it down, you know, the heritage, >> the tobacco leaf in the middle there. >> Is that what you're going with? Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, we can pick stuff out. >> Those are potato sprouts at the bottom center. >> I think I think when it gets shrunk down though for like a letterhead, it's it's just going to look like a blob. >> Wondered what those were. I didn't know they were potato sprouts.
What that was >> strawberries >> hobb tree in there >> and a Christmas tree. >> Oh, there is one. Yeah. >> Sunflowers on the top.
>> There's one down on the side. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. That's great. >> See that? I see that. You have it here, Pegasus. You have your own D. >> It's a concept and and I want yours so you can play with it.
>> Yeah. No, I think we should definitely have an official logo. Um, >> we can certainly go around with it. >> We could just put it right back into AI and like, can you simplify it? >> Yep. So that it can be very small scale.
>> Yeah. Did you actually use AI for this? >> I sketched and fed it to AI and >> then worked with it. But you got to be careful with AI. It >> you have to be very careful how you tell it to change something because it'll add
two cows. When you asked for it to just move that flower to the left a little bit, all of a sudden you got two cows. It can put six figures on people. You got to be very, very nerdy. Okay. But it was helpful. It was helpful to to pull it together.
>> If you remember, Bert, I sketched this for you on the back of a piece of paper day. Something like that a long time ago. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I think we should, you know, next month or two, maybe even by next meeting. And I can probably, you know, I can feed
this into AI and have it like spit out a bunch of different versions and people like that. >> We can kind of vote on it. >> Yeah. >> Uh we have Southwoods take a look at it. >> We could Dan seems to be pretty friendly with them lately.
>> Yep. Okay. >> Yeah. You want to show them that be like, "Hey, can you make a look?" >> Uh yeah, Buzzy's pretty good in this stuff. Look at that. We've pretty much been using that as kind of like our >> That's what I was Soon as I heard.
>> But this it's not >> you sent that message. That's the first thing I thought of was that bar. >> I don't think we have a silo in Southwork. >> Not anymore. >> There's got to be a silo here someplace. But I like >> I like the tobacco idea. Maybe
>> still has some carb stores over there. I think I think I'm buying us. >> We have tobacco. We have vegetables, cows. I mean, pretty much everything that's on here. >> I tried. >> I was going to say we need a pumpkin. At
least the pumpkin on there. Well, we do pumpkins. Sure. >> Yeah. >> So, yeah, he he doesn't do pumpkins. >> Heritage. >> Oh, the heritage. That's true. That's true. >> But we do I mean there's pumpkins all over the town in the fall. >> Dangerous pumpkins.
>> He's keeping it alive. pumpkins in here. What's going on? Feel free to use it. >> Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. >> And it's it's yours. I gave >> I did share that with everyone. I know that one. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Maybe we can add an ox yoke.
I got farm forum. I got a Noble Yolk award. These guys actually put together used a yolk for two oxen and and then Zach lasered my name on it. >> Okay.
>> That did come out, >> right? >> We kept it secret. >> And it says no one knew except >> that's cool. >> Yeah, that was a total surprise pretty. All right. So, we will you're gonna talk to Softwoods and see
what they can come up with and I'll I'll see if I can mock some stuff up. I think this is like a good starter like even if we don't use as the logo, maybe as like a background image or something. I don't know who's um show them the colored one.
>> You have them both. I sent you both. >> Yeah, it's in the >> Can you Can you forward the email I sent to them? Yeah, >> that would probably be the best way. >> The southwards. >> Yeah. >> Well, Diane, you're sparking sparking a
whole project here. Yeah, >> I like to do that. >> No, it's a good time of year to do it, though. >> Just a suggestion. >> Gives us something to do this time of year. >> Those guys were working on farm day tonight. It's like Jesus. >> Randy. >> Oh, really? Oh, yeah. They have a huge
farm day. September. >> No, right. I mean, I think we talk about it probably every meeting, but >> yeah, some extent. >> Hey, but they're like it's it was on the there was three things on the agenda and that was like the second guys are working on farm day.
>> They've been doing a lot longer than us. >> Maybe they don't have as many other things that they're starting up. >> Just trying to keep up with what they started. You know, >> um is their meeting recorded? Like is it online? No, no, it's all one person.
>> Yeah, it's all in person. Uh, >> there was like they had five people there and they were missing two people. So, I don't know if anybody's like an assistant. >> Yeah. >> Commissioner, what do you what do we call them? Alternate. >> All
speaking of I was gonna say a few minutes ago, we were talking about the parade being being the day before open farm day this year. We should be in the parade, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. How do we sign up for that? I'm not sure. >> What's the parade for again? >> The 250.
>> 250. >> The Civic Fund is doing is organizing the parade. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> So, I'm sure Alex will probably be interested if he's available. He loved doing the farm parade this year. So, >> wonder if we can keep having his 18
wheeler or whatever as our float. >> I don't think so. And what is it? A Saturday or a Sunday? >> That's Saturday. >> Oh, and then farm day. >> Same thing. Sunday. So, we're going to make our 15th and 16th. >> Yep. >> Yep.
>> Cuz that's another thing they asked me about that when it's farm day. >> What is there? >> September. Yeah. But I didn't get the date on. I think it said weekend. >> Usually the weekend after Labor Day, I think if I'm remembering right. So they
uh yeah say the 16th. I'm like dad that's early. >> Do they use volunteers? Did you catch any of that? >> Be interested. >> No, I didn't ask. >> If they just leave it up to the farms to do it. >> I didn't ask that. I was just wondering
about if they were on this we do a pamphlet. >> Yeah. I'd like to know more about their how they operate their farm day. Maybe we can because theirs is pretty successful. because I I told her too when we definitely stayed away from the weekend
you had it because we didn't want to interrupt your thing. You had a good thing going and they're like oh yeah we know that and uh and I said plus imagine trying to make all the farms in two states and she goes they can't do all the farms.
>> No in Graanby. >> Yeah. Yeah. I went one year and I think we went maybe four farms and they were like, "Yeah, time to go home. Sun's going down." >> Yeah. >> And the lady who's the chairperson,
can't remember the name of the farm, but you know, I think it's at the Rotary the Rotary they put on 10 and 202. Yeah. >> If you took a right >> and went down, there's a dairy farm. They sell wheat and >> they sell goat milk. >> Yay.
Porn maze. Yeah, >> that's her family. Okay. She's still working. >> Who was that? Ellen. >> Ellen. >> Ellen. Yeah. >> Nice lady. >> Yeah. Yeah. She used to work for me. >> Oh, really? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, >> Yep.
>> And John O'Brien. He owns a place. >> Yep. Yep. Yep. But the host the host. >> I should have mentioned her name. >> The host man. They got they get pumpkin sells >> plants and sound specialty is hasta. He has hostas that really nobody else has.
Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. So yeah. Beautiful. >> I got to go get some from >> cuz I love that. >> Yeah. My ex was in collect. I got weird hostas all over my yard. >> I just like to eat them. >> You can eat them. >> They're edible. >> Most they're delicious.
>> At least once. >> No, but like in the in the spring they're edible. They look so good. I don't want to What? Are you going to cut them and then they're gone? >> You eat the shoots when they're about this tall and still tight. Tight like a pencil. You just go along and cut them. >> It's like a romaine lettuce kind of
thing or No, you cook them or no? >> Yeah. Yeah. I steam them. >> Is it bitter? >> No. >> No. Oh, I don't. >> No. They're very good. They're very good. Um, >> yeah. I mean, I just they're a green like an asparagus, >> you know, but they they don't have a a
taste of like anything else, but it's a green taste, you know, like spinach sort of, I guess. >> But they're absolutely delicious. >> Um cuz I I don't care for the look of them. So, I was pitching them and then I realized you're going to eat them. I'm like, >> oh, some of John's you wouldn't be an
expensive meal. Yeah, >> he's got some really special >> I took some from my mother's garden and the big elephant ear. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. The great big ones. >> Beautiful. >> Yeah. Those big the big blue angels and >> those kind Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's a go
get something. >> It's a beautiful place. It's set up kind of like a park, too. You kind of you can wander through and he's got um you know specimen type trees and stuff. >> Yeah. It's a nice place. So they did the same thing too with the
farm day the first year where we had a prizes and >> Oh yeah. >> And and I told them the Calibris is the uh the lady that owns it says calib came down. She was all pissed off
because people were coming. Hey, can I get my sticker? And then they get in their car and go to the next place. They wanted a prize. So we were like, "We didn't do the prizes no more." The next year they laughed and that O'Brien guy goes, "Yeah, >> they did the same thing. Goddamn people
just run in and run out." >> It's like a >> funny noticing anything. I was showing you what he sells. about really >> um yeah, just the master plan stuff. I
didn't know when we were thinking of trying to work on something for the invasive species. I put an email out to there's a place uh what the heck does it stand for? Massachusetts
invasive plants. It's called MI P A G and the top of my paper cut off when I printed it. Um and it's a group organized and it has people from all over the state and from
different uh segments of the state government and whatever that um was put together to work on invasive species because I thought well I needed to start somewhere if we were going to find information and
maybe speakers or somebody who would know something on it. So, I found that one site that had a guy who's the chairman, Brian Keven. So, I sent him an email cuz his email is addressed and
just said, "Hey, we're interested in maybe finding out if if there's speakers or do you guys have resources that we could maybe have or use or, you know, as an educational thing for our town's people." and I got an email back with
just a notice that said he's on vacation till the 17th. >> So, I won't hear back from him until after that. Um, that was one site that I thought was kind of interesting. Um, because there it's a whole committee of things. there's members on it and what
the group does. >> I don't know if they actually have like an actual base because there's people from all over the place. Yeah, I think it's, you know, >> like it's like an online thing. >> Um, probably they do a lot of it. This is the page I printed out that was so
I'd remember where I had gotten it. Then I found uh a li some lists of invasive species that are considered invasive species. Um in our state there's like 70s something invasive species just and
I only put in plants not animals or bugs or anything. I just wanted plants. And um I think some are aqua ones also which would be maybe for the you know conservation commission or boat the lake management people or something.
They must have their own list of things but they had that. Then >> I went on and found this >> Palmer must have done the town of Palmer must have done something because they had this on their site. So, I did print this out and it was just a guide that
had all the invasive um and it had pictures of them and how they how they decide if it's invasive. >> Is that like Palmer Conservation? >> It it was just listed under Palmer and it and I'm like but they had this so it must have come from somewhere else. >> Okay.
>> But they had it on their site and I thought, "Oh, that's a good one. I'll print that out because it had >> it says Fisheries of Wildlife." Well, I think that they were one of the ones that was the group and somebody in that committee is on the fish and wildlife and somebody people that are on
conservation commissions and there's that kind of that group seems to encompass a lot of different people from different groups, but this was put out and it had great pictures of the um of different some of the more common ones that I think you know people know of.
And then but there was also um things that they had techniques of using if you go online there was techniques of how to get rid of invasives which they are not
um promoting using herbicides anymore. Thank you. Good that they well because that would defeat some of the other conservation things and the insect population would might be harmed by it. So they said, you know, there's other techniques that they are using to get
rid of them. And one of the biggest things I thought was interesting is that they say when you go in, like I mean, if you had purple loot strife, which was a big thing back in the early 2000s, >> they did a huge campaign to get them out of Massachusetts. And they're starting to resurge now in the middle of the
highways. Um, but the trick was they said they found you have to plant a native in its place >> so that it puts the native back where it belonged because if there's even a seed of an invasive, it'll find its way back
into an empty place. Um, so they had some different plans put out there by it, but I thought, well, if I contacted that guy, I would see if he knew of any groups that maybe have um people speakers or
already made up brochures because on the thing from the open from the farmers forum, some of the suggestions for the farmers were, could we have pictures and labels of things that we can't sell because they're invasive? with some sort of a notification that
says these are invasives. Same thing with the welcome wagon packet that we might do. We might have a thing that says these are invasives and we're trying to eradicate them rather than people bringing them in because a lot of them they could buy elsewhere, get from
somebody in another state, >> bring it in, and then you're battling all over again. Um because I do think if it's something that we're going to try to tackle in any way past just teaching
people about it, then we really have to um you know get everybody in the town to know what we're talking about because >> they're in people's yards. >> Oh, it's everywhere. >> You know, they were mostly brought in as
ornamental. Um, and I have one of my best friends. She has she has not the purple loose stripe, it's a white >> and oh my gosh, she said it was she bought it years ago, put a little patch in her front garden and she said, "You
cannot. I mean, she has tried to get rid of it. It is everywhere, all over her yard." >> Yeah. And she said, "You know, a piece this big, if you don't get every last piece out, >> it will come back." And she said the it's like um such a thick mat she can't
even begin to get it out. >> And she said it wiped out everything else in the garden. I mean there's nothing in her flower beds in the front except this. And then it was crossing her tar driveway. It was on the other side coming up on the other side. And it's like, but I think that, you know,
if we could get some someone to speak maybe from the state or I'm hoping somebody on that list, you know, of people that maybe work in that. >> So, one thing I noticed it says funding and coordination. That might be a place to look for grants.
>> Well, that's what I was thinking, too. Who knows? I So, this when I found this place, I'm like, I'm going to contact them. So, I'll wait for this Brian guy to Yeah. get off his vacation and um you know hopefully I can get in touch with him and we can find out more about what
might be out there, what might be available people. I said anything you can offer visuals you know uh anything that might speakers whatever would make would help us if you have any of that let me know. So you know maybe he could
direct me to people even in Western Mass that might be the thing. So, I thought, well, I'd start working on that. >> Oh, yes. >> Well, because we know how long it takes sometimes to get all the pieces in place, and I don't know when we want to
do this, you know, if we want to do it as a public event. Um, >> I mean, I think it's an ongoing thing, >> right? >> The bases aren't just going to go away, >> right? I think you almost have to start though with a >> with a bang that says, "We're doing a a
thing and this is for the public to come through. We want you to And once people start learning about it, you know, that's the kind of thing that maybe you could get the other >> it almost needs to be like a program like >> right on >> where conservation commission and park
and wreck and all different groups >> all know about them and start tackling them >> because you have to do it all at once or they're just going to keep winning. M >> um you know if we want to even even if we didn't take all even if we took just
a a few of them and you know tried first to eradicate my least favorite is probably oriental bittersweet >> it is you know I mean I didn't have it on my land and I do now and I fight it all the time. I'm constantly I find
those stupid little orange roots in the ground and I'm like it's bittersweet and I we burn ours but >> you know cuz you can't compost them. You can't you can't have them anywhere you know. And um >> so we need flamethrowers. >> Yeah. I usually have a brush pile and it
goes on in that time of year. If not I bag it up and put it in the hopper at the dump because it's got to be incinerated. It can't be any place in Canada. So, >> well, they incinerate it before it goes to Canada, I think. Don't you think? >> I think they just compact it.
>> No, it's to Connecticut. I think I think ours goes to Connecticut instead of where it used to go at Bondie's Island. I think it gets incinerated in Connecticut now. >> The company that bought Bondi's Island a few years ago was from Connecticut. But it's it's yeah, it's got to,
>> you know, we it has to be kind of a big thing where we jump right into it and it's townwide so that people can feel motivated and feel like we're attacking it, you know, maybe have a, you know, a once a year day of invasive species
eradication, you know, something where you keep at it because we know, I mean, they almost the purple loo had gotten so weak, hardly I mean, you didn't see hardly any have been on the highways and I noticed when I traveled to Ohio, it's back and it's starting to fill in the gully ways in
between the divided highways again cuz that was a place that it was a big place for it. So that was my research that I did get find something on. So >> we'll keep working on that.
>> But I'll probably need to get a grant for one of those things, too. It all comes down to money and grants and >> or a larger budget. >> Well, I don't think we're gonna >> Well, no. If we have we have a reason, you know, we're assigned to this, >> you know, bring it to the town and say
we need money to accomplish this task. >> But like if if you're going after invasive, >> if you're going after invasive species, just like lake management does, they go after whatever is available for state funding for for water management. You
could do the same thing through probably MDAR and find those programs and apply for those specifically for those programs. >> Well, that's there. >> I'm sure they Yeah, they probably are. It's just hunting and >> yeah, we we got to start somewhere. So, we get the ball rolling. It'll just keep, you know, getting bigger and
bigger. So, I think >> the master plan definitely has lots of things for us to do. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. We're not going to be bored. You can ask representatives for help, too. They can help find those things. >> Okay.
>> Dick Rand's got earmarks from uh Senator for the for the lake invasives. >> There's possibilities. >> All right. >> Sounds good. >> Yep. >> Is that it?
>> We need more people to help. more hours in the day. >> Maybe someone will feel enthused if they come to an event that we have. Maybe someone will go, "Hey, I'm interested in that." >> Yeah, we had an explosion a couple years ago and then it kind of did die out.
Doesn't want everything they hoped it would be. I'm still >> All right. See, >> anyone else have anything? >> I do. >> All right. Next meeting March 11th, right?
>> So, they mean on a second Wednesday, too. >> Yeah. Same same day, same time, right? >> This is your second attempt. >> You can still run over there and come back. Yeah. >> Guess where I filmed out. Yeah.
>> No, long as you have a quorum, it's fine. >> It's not really that far away. >> No, it's what, 10 minutes? >> Maybe 15. >> 10 minutes. >> It's in North Graham Bay, right? >> No, soon as you get to the center there, take a right. >> Oh, it's at the
school's on the right there. You get to the center, you go take a right like you're going to go to Winstead. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> You take a left. >> Oh, it's right there. It's right there. There's a senior center >> where the police station is standing right next to the police station.
It's a senior center there. >> Oh, okay. That's it. I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I Good night, everybody.