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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-21-CONCOM-min (Community Garden Subcommittee)TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION COMMUNITY GARDEN SUBCOMMITTEE Thursday, May 21st, 2015 4:30 P.M. Community Development Meeting Room, Town Office Building 1625 Massachusetts Avenue In Attendance: Community Gardeners Alix Bartsch, Marita Hartshorn; Conservation Commissioners: Kevin Beuttell, Phil Hamilton Others Present: Jordan McCarron, Conservation Stewardship Program Coordinator I. Current Policies and Practices: Pros and Cons Mr. Hamilton began the meeting by explaining that the Conservation Commission made the decision to form the community garden sub - committee as a way to address issues that the gardeners at Dunback Meadow have raised over the years concerning the Commission's garden policies as well as issues that the Commission is facing regarding the presence of wetlands adjacent to the gardens. Mr. Hamilton opened up the discussion by asking Mrs. Bartsch and Mrs. Hartshorn to give an update on the gardens this year and inviting them to ask any questions or raise any concerns about the current community garden policies: Mrs. Hartshorn confirmed that sunflowers are allowed at the garden; Mr. McCarron pointed out that gardeners should plant dwarf varieties so as not to interfere with neighboring garden plots. Mrs. Bartsch reported that ticks are a major issue at the garden and indicated that laying down wood chips to minimize tick habitat makes a huge difference. She expressed concern that the Commission has prohibited the gardeners from bringing in wood chips this season when it has always been allowed in the past. Mrs. Bartsch also reported that the water shut -off valve is broken and has been broken since last season. Mrs. Bartsch reported that things are going well this year; all garden plots are currently occupied. The gardeners have set up a rain barrel system which they try to use first before relying on Town water. Mrs. Bartsch reported some minor vandalism at the garden (a small wooden bench was kicked over), but the garden perimeter fence has really minimized incidents of vandalism overall. Mr. Bartsch said that the gardeners have discussed potentially putting a lock on the gate of the perimeter fence to keep out non - gardeners, but indicated that a group consensus would have to made about that. Mrs. Bartsch requested that the gardeners have better access to the gardens for vehicles and suggested that she be given a key instead of having to coordinate for the gate to be opened with the Conservation Division. Mrs. Hatshorn suggested that there be designated weekends at the beginning of the season for the gate to be open for gardeners to deliver heavy or unwieldy items to the garden. Mrs. Hatshorn suggested that the role of enforcing the Commission's community garden policies should be held by Mr. McCarron, not Mrs. Bartsch. Mr. Hamilton disagreed, indicating that enforcement happens on several levels; the gardeners might feel pushed around if the Town deals with everything. Mrs. Bartsch indicated that she has found it hard to enforce the community garden policies strictly with new gardeners as Mr. McCarron had requested when most existing gardeners are already violating many of the policies. Mrs. Hartshorn suggested that Mr. McCarron include a rationale for each of the community garden polices as a way to help the gardeners understand their purpose and then more unanimously abide by them. Mr. Hamilton expressed the Commission's concern that the raised bed structures at the garden inhibit the functionality of the adjacent wetland due to water displacement. Both Mrs. Hartshorn and Mrs. Bartsch expressed concern that raised beds are essential for gardening in that location, both because of pest and weed pressure but also because of wet soils. Mr. Hamilton also expressed the Commission's concern that gardening practices, including bringing in organic fertilizers and other soil amendments, are having an adverse impact on the wetland. Mrs. Bartsch commented that there does not seem to be any impact to the wetland from gardening since the gardens have been there for 30+ years and there is no visual effect on the surrounding wetland vegetation. Mr. Hamilton reminded the group that the visual health of wetland vegetation alone is not a good judge of the overall impact of the community gardens on the wetland. II. Planning for the Future Mr. Hamilton then focused the conversation on future plans for the Dunback Meadow Community Garden. Mr. Hamilton expressed concern that the garden is located in a very sensitive area and explained that the Commission has become increasingly protective and more -strict about activities in and around wetlands. Mr. Hamilton pointed out that the Commission is extremely strict with development in areas that are less sensitive and offered that the Commission would not allow the gardens to be built at that site if the project came before it today. Mr. Hamilton then expressed the desire of the Commission to move the gardens to a more suitable location and that it would like to do so in the best possible way for the current gardeners while involving the gardeners in the process as much as possible. Mrs. Hartshorn commented that the Commission should get ahead of the game and be transparent with the larger group of gardeners; the gardeners should be given ample opportunity to prepare themselves for the move and not invest a lot of effort in their current plots. Mr. Hamilton explained that the Commission has not voted on this issue yet because the Commission wants the input of the gardeners on timeline, process, etc. before a formal vote is taken. Mr. Hamilton reiterated that the Commission does not want to make any firm decisions on this matter until the gardeners are in a position where they feel like the Town is in support of them, the future of the gardens, and that mowing the gardens has a net positive benefit; Mr. Hamilton expressed concern that the Commission should work with the gardeners so they can get to a place where they do not feel like the decision to move the gardens is being forced upon them. Mr. Hamilton added that although the Commission had not officially voted on moving the garden, the move would take place no earlier than the 2016 gardening season and probably no later than the 2017 season. Additionally, Mr. Hamilton made it clear that Mrs. Bartsch and Mrs. Hartshorn were free to let the rest of the gardeners at Dunback Meadow know about the Commission's plans. Mr. Beuttell asked if it would help to give the gardeners a firm idea of where the new garden might be located. Mrs. Hartshorn commented that it would definitely help the process if potential new locations could be identified and there could be a tour of these locations with the existing gardeners. Mr. Hamilton closed the meeting by confirming that both Mrs. Bartsch and Mrs. Hartshorn would be available to look at some potential new sites for the community garden over the next several months. Mr. Hamilton also confirmed that the Commission would do a site visit to Rock Meadow Community Garden in Belmont; the site was recommended by both Mrs. Bartsch and Mrs. Hartshorn as a good model.