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HomeArchiveVol. III No. 22 11/15/2022Notes from Agriculture and Forestry Commission, November 7, Hybrid meeting
Vol. III No. 22 11/15/2022

Notes from Agriculture and Forestry Commission, November 7, Hybrid meeting

Present:

  • Matt Boudreau, Chair
  • Lisa Bozzuto
  • Erik Rasmussen
  • Shelby Marshall
  • Abigale Fredsall via Zoom
  • Also present from ConCom: Sally Underwood-Miller, Ron Brouker, Tom LaBelle
  1. Minutes of the October meeting approved
  2. Updates for Farmer's Market and Arbor Day postponed to the end of meeting
  3. Welcomed ConCom members to jointly discuss diseased trees (primarily hemlocks) around Stockbridge Bowl
  4. Cooperation with ConCom important as ConCom has authority to require replanting if tree areremoved. The issue is complex and includes helping property owners to recognize diseased trees, but then to recommend what to do. Treating the trees so close to the lake is not advised. Removal of diseased trees can leave the shores barren of trees. ConCom is better prepared and authorized to deal with it and owners with diseased trees are encouraged to meet with ConCom.
  5. LaBelle thought it might be helpful to take a "tree inventory"" even using Google Maps
  6. Underwood-Miller concerned that losing shade trees as climate warms will negatively affect the lake — e.g. — increased cyanobacteria bloom
  7. Boudreau said our area will look more like the MidAtlantic in time.
  8. Bozzuto suggested including SBA in a meeting about the hemlocks (and ash trees) around the lake
  9. Underwood-Miller reminded everyone to suggest if a hemlock is diseased and removed — do not replant hemlock
  10. Suggestion made to invite expert to speak on the issue — invite SBA
  11. Arbor Day — Boudreau suggested contacting Bill Florek, a horticulture teacher at Monument Mountain High School as a good source for trees for next Arbor Day. Boudreau said, "Buy here rather than from elsewhere". Chair asked Fredsall (a former student) to meet with Florek and discuss possibilities.
  12. Boudreau summarized meeting with SB and with Canales. SB was supportive of Farmers' Market. Canales will write job description for Market Coordinator. The coordinator will work under Canales.
  13. Boudreau was hoping to have it up and running summer of 2023. Located in parking lot of Town Offices. Rasmussen, who has experience creating a farmers' market in Gloucester, MA, suggested starting with a small — a 4-5-week market.
  14. Briefly returned to diseased tree issue and Bozzuto interated that the trees are too close to the water and therefore should not be treated. Chair suggested they create a list of suggests for addressing diseased trees.

Meeting adjourned

 

photo
Photo: Lionel Delevingne