HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-07-09Dryden Ag Committee
July 9, 2014
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Dryden Agriculture Advisory Committee
July 9, 2014
Members Present: Evan Carpenter (Chair), Kim LaMotte, Joe Osmeloski, Doug Barton
Planning Board Liaison: John Kiefer
Conservation Board Liaison: Craig Schutt
Town Board Liaison: Jason Leifer
Town Hall Representative: Jane Nicholson (Planning Director)
Guests: Craig Anderson
The meeting was called to order at 7:40PM.
1. Review and approval of June minutes:
J. Osmeloski moved to approve the minutes, K. LaMotte seconded the motion and the
minutes were approved.
2. Discussion of the meeting scheduled for August 13th.
K. LaMotte recommended that Bob Somers present his information and then open the
meeting to questions.
J. Nicholson agreed to ensure a screen and projector are at the Fire Hall.
The group agreed that if the presentation is open for questions then we need a
moderator/mediator and J. Nicholson said she will contact Sharon Anderson to see if
she is available/agreeable to be the moderator.
C. Anderson said he has talked to Bob Somers regarding the time length of the meeting
and they think his presentation will take about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Who will be invited:
All of the Boards and Commissions
David Sprout, Dryden CEO
Mike Lane and Martha Robertson, Tompkins County
Michelle Pottorff - TCCOG
County Farmland Protection Board
What information to share prior to the meeting:
The Dryden Right to Farm Law
Local Laws and Ag Districts, how do they relate?
3. New Business:
The group’s discussion moved off topic to a discussion regarding CAFOs. To be
considered a CAFO only requires 250 animal units. One animal unit equals 1000lbs.
E. Carpenter said that when you reach the size of a CAFO, it means you have a nutrient
management plan. Smaller farms don’t have to comply with that plan. It is the larger
farms that are highly regulated, not the smaller farms.
C. Anderson added that if you are for regulation for farms then you are for large farms
because they are the ones that are most highly regulated.
C. Schutt asked E. Carpenter about the meeting between al l of the Board Chairs and
whether they had set up any rules or guides for the liaisons. E. Carpenter said that it
was left up to the Board/Commission Chairs of each board to determine the rules for
their own boards. He pointed out that the liaisons are technically invited guests and
should behave with that in mind. The reason for a liaison is to keep the boards up to
date with what is happening on the other boards.
C. Anderson suggested that perhaps there should be some guidelines regarding how
long the liaison serves and what level of participation is desirable.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Erin A. Bieber
Deputy Town Clerk