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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-08Town of Dryden Ag Advisory Committee April 8, 2015 Town of Dryden Agriculture Advisory Committee April 8, 2015 Members Present: Evan Carpenter (Chair), Kim LaMotte, Doug Barton, and Brian Magee Liaisons: Craig Schutt, Conservation Board, John Kiefer, Planning Board Town Staff: Dave Sprout, Code Enforcement Officer Guests: Timothy and Heather Gowe (Dutcher Road residents), Jerry Collier (Beck Farms), David Marquis, and Steve Foote The meeting was called to order at 7:40PM Review and approval of meeting minutes from February 11, 2015: D. Barton moved to approve the minutes as presented, K. LaMotte seconded the motion and the minutes were unanimously approved. Introduction of Guests E. Carpenter acknowledged the situation regarding the Beck Farms’ manure storage facility. He stated that the Town doesn’t have any authority in this situation but as the Ag Committee, it is important to understand and help explain situations such as this. Mr. and Mrs. Gowe explained that they are concerned about the location of the pit in relation to the wetlands. Mrs. Gowe is interested in knowing where the alternate sites that were considered are located. Mr. Gowe is interested in more information regarding the pit – what is the size, what are the boundaries, the layout, the location in relation to the buffer zone, are there emergency plans in place, etc. Has the project looked at the plan as a whole? The CAFO plan had to have all the information in it before the DEC would have allowed them to start moving forward. The Gowes have a copy of the plan and referred to section 7. Mrs. Gowe stated that this is a huge project and very little public notice has been provided. Some nearby residents do not know this is happening. She believes that as a courtesy, the neighbors should have been notified. Mr. Marquis asked why it was necessary to inform the neighbors since the farm had gotten all the necessary permits. Mrs. Gowe stated that the pipeline was in the backyard of Leisure Lane residents but Mr. Marquis pointed out that the line will be 400 yards away from private property. It was explained to the Gowes that the pipeline will only be used for about 3 days twice a year. They will run water through the pipe before and after the slurry is moved through. 250,000 gallons of diesel fuel will be saved. At least 1000 truck trips will be eliminated and the manure will be directly injected into the soil. Mrs. Gowe reiterated that she thinks there has to be a better place to put the pit. Boring under Dutcher road would need a permit from the Highway because that is a town road. They already have a permit to bore under North Road. Debbie Teeter asked Mr. Collier if the wetlands were considered when the plan was developed. Ms. Gowe asked if they were willing to at least put in well monitors along the pipeline. Mr. Collier said they would not put in monitors. She then reminded the Committee of the new zoning laws that the Town of Homer are putting in place. C. Schutt pointed Town of Dryden Ag Advisory Committee April 8, 2015 out that the issue in Homer has more to do with the aquifer which is a sole source of water for several municipalities. C. Anderson stated that Ag and Market are going to trump any local laws that might “unreasonably restrict” agriculture. Mr. Gowe asked about how they were going to clean the pipes. Mr. Collier explained that they would use a “pig” (a ball that gets pushed through the pipes to clear out the lines). Mr. Gowe then asked about a storm water plan. D. Sprout replied that all they need to have is a sediment and erosion control plan which is with the engineer and through the CAFO plan. The Gowes asked about the actual dimensions of the pit. Mr. Collier said he doesn’t really know what the dimensions will be, maybe 100 feet on one end and about 200 feet long, the depth will be around 16 feet. It will be a triangle shape. D. Sprout pointed out that the Beck Farm has gone above and beyond what was required to ensure the pit conforms to the natural shape and contour of the land. The pit will not be covered and most of the year, it will be empty. Mr. Gowe expressed concern about the sharp corner of Dutcher road and North Road. Mr. Collier said that they will not be attempting that corner and will instead be using trucks to haul manure to the fields affected. The pit is about 1000 feet off Dutcher road and about 2000 feet from the Gowe property. The committee explained to the Gowes that a CAFO is not a separate entity. It is a plan by the farmers and the affiliated government organizations. Mr. Gowe claimed he has helped out the Beck Farm on several occasions by scraping mud off the road, saving a dog, and picking up an ipad. He believes that common courtesy was ignored by the Becks. Mr. Collier responded by pointing to the number of times the Gowes have hiked, hunted, and biked on the Beck property. He then asked the Gowes how far the courtesy should extend…. Over 2000 feet? The Gowes said their main concern is the pipe line. Mr. Collier replied that the hose is only going to be there for 3 days in the spring and fall and then it will disappear. Ag Protection Plan: Debbie Teeter Ms. Teeter reviewed the results of the surveys with the Committee. Non-farmer landowner responses – 17 The farmer responses – 19 The next steps are summarizing the survey results to identify trends, the status of agriculture in Dryden, and identify the goals and strategies with the action steps associated with goals (one goal can be teaching folks about PDRs). The Committee needs to identify lands for protection. The last farm that attempted a PDR found that the assessed difference between development rights and farm land is minimal. Ms. Teeter believes that there are areas that we can promote agriculture instead of looking for land to protect. The times are changing and the ag priorities are changing as well. She asked the board to go through the data and mark it up with comments for the next meeting. Dryden Dairy Days The Dairy Day Committee has requested the Ag Committee be available at a booth to answer questions about the survey and Ag Protection Plan. New York Animal Ag Coalition has a quality video regarding local farming. Town of Dryden Ag Advisory Committee April 8, 2015 Planning Board - John Kiefer The Planning Board reviewed a site plan for 1808 Hanshaw road. The owner wants to create a small landscape supply business. Tim and Heather Gowe came to the Planning Board to ask for assistance but that Board felt they did not have any power or jurisdiction regarding the Beck Farm manure line and pit. The Planning Board also began to review the Comprehensive Plan in an attempt to determine whether the plan needs to be updated, rewritten completely or left alone for a few more years. Conservation Board – Craig Schutt The Gowes visited the Conservation Board where they were given over an hour to share their concerns and respond to questions from the Board. Ultimately, there wasn’t anything the Conservation Board could do to help them. Design Connect from Cornell has been working on a rough plan for the Freeville to Varna section of the trail. They are moving along and have held a meeting for anyone interested in the trail and will be holding another meeting for the landowners along the trail to get their input. The Conservation Board also rescinded the resolution they passed in January regarding the Game Farm area of trail. The original resolution did not reflect what the Conservation Board actually wanted to encourage. Open Discussion: Mr. Foote asked about the Freeville to McLean trail and whether there was any truth to the rumor that it was being put on the Town map as a proposed trail which, in his opinion, makes it almost a given. Supr. Sumner said that was not true, as far as she knows. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9PM. Respectfully submitted, Erin A. Bieber Deputy Town Clerk