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Community Farming Committee
Meeting Minutes
September 17, 2015
A meeting of the Community Farming Committee (CFC) was held on September 17,
2015 in the Public Works Building, Room 125. In attendance were: Chairman Michael
Bliss, members Alan Wrigley, Raul Marques, and Charles Lamb. Also in attendance was
Carolyn Goldstein and Sarah Felton from the Lexington Community Farm Coalition, Inc.
(LexFarm).
Meeting called to order at 7:30 PM by Chairman Michael Bliss.
First order of business was a discussion about how to move forward with the
Conservation Restriction. The expansion of potential recreational use in the most recent
version seemed to be most troubling.
As a committee we have agreed to work with the current document. It was also agreed
that in order to move to recreational uses a high hurdle should be required to move from
the current farm uses. Various ideas were floated public hearings, Town Meeting votes.
It was decided that Mike Bliss and Alan Wrigley would meet and attempt to come up
with satisfactory language.
It was noted that Lex Farm is concerned about the restriction of only a 50% increase in
structures on the farm.
We need two additional members for the committee and we are encouraged to seek
volunteers.
Lex Farm Report:
The farm stand is doing well with many vegetables grown at the farm for sale the stand is
showing a small profit. Lex Farm is working on a budget and plan for next year including
what will be down long term on the site.
Tim is doing a wonderful job. Lex Farm is adding supervision of the farm stand to his
already long list of responsibilities.
The farm has had farm tours, a summer block party on August 29, 2015 and a pot luck
supper. Tim has started and was on hand for a pop up flower stand in the Center near the
police kiosk at Mass Ave and Waltham Street. It is very successful especially as an
advertisement for the farm.
Food is being delivered to the Lexington Food Pantry and contact with the group Lovin
Spoonful is being pursued.
The farm is working with people staring a new venture called Lets eat together which
invites people to get together for dinner every Wednesday night. The farm intends to
donate food to that effort.
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Upcoming events Fall Festival October 17, 2015, Tour for Town Meeting Members
September 27, 2015 and Sunday afternoon open houses.
There was concern raised about the organizational structure of Lex Farm. It was
represented that the group is working to solidify their strategic plan including the
organizational structure of the board and its relationship to the day to day operation of the
farm, educational programs and fund raising.
At 9:10 PM Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted Alan Wrigley
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