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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-10-07-BLUPC-min MINUTES RE: MEETING OF BUSA LAND COMMITTEE 10/07/2010 The meeting was called to order shortly after 7:00 p.m. by Chairman David Horton. In attendance for the meeting were Rick Fulop, Pam Shadley, Ginna Johnson, Al Zabin and Bill Dailey. Having informed the chair ahead of time, Deborah Strod arrived after the proceedings had begun. Mr. Horton reviewed the charge of the committee and mentioned that a lease for the 2011 growing season has been extended to Dennis Busa. The chairman also mentioned that a website is available and a webpage is also available with instruction regarding the manner in which communications can occur. The guidelines for the night were then reviewed and reference was made to a meeting to be held at the Arlington Town Hall Auditorium on October 27, 2010. It was requested that any Arlington resident th in attendance save their comments for the October 27 meeting. The process for speaker selection was reviewed with the audience and Pam Shadley explained the maps which were available at the present time and which were available on easels either on the stage or in the foyer. Chairman Horton reviewed the positions of the speakers at the previous meeting and then requested that those in attendance with numbered cards from the previous meeting come forward in order. The following numbers responded: # 46 - who indicated experience with family growing and was supportive of the community farm use of the property. Comments were made concerning the fact a community farm connects people and provides educational opportunities as well as providing fresh food. # 47 - a senior at LHS and a varsity lacrosse player, indicated he had experience at the Codman Community Farm in Lincoln and gave several vignettes concerning his experiences on the farm. He indicated that a small local community farm is viable and indicated he had also been involved with a 150 acre farm. # 48 - indicated that she lives a few houses away from the Busa Farm and in fact had grown up on a California farm. The speaker reflected that this was the first opportunity for Lexington to make a commitment to a community farm and expressed a feeling that the community should look to land already developed for further development of affordable housing. # 51 - expressed an opinion that the Town should keep the farm and thereby honor the past and preserve the future. It was noted that the Lexington Farmers Market had been voted best in the area by Boston Magazine. The speaker also commented on the favorable experience her children had with visits to the community farm in Lincoln and the excitement which was generated by these visits. 150601.1 #56 - indicated he lived one block from the farm and worked with Dennis Busa. He felt the property should be kept a farm. He commented he has worked on other farms both nationally and internationally and if he had a choice he would like to see the crops grown on the farm diversified. He also suggested it would be appropriate to take METCO kids into the mix. # 50 - the speaker supported a community farm. The speaker lives on Massachusetts Avenue and it was observed the use as a community farm would not require any additional investment by the town. # 59 - the speaker lives on Balfour Street and favored a mixed use of the property. The speaker observed there were eight acres but land can have a mixed use. It was observed that recreation wants approximately 30% of the available land and the speaker, who is active in the local sports program, indicated in 1998 30,000 hours were booked for the use of available fields. This number has risen to 51,000 hours of booked time as of 2009 and requests for an additional 2500 hours of field use had to be turned down. It was noted there have been no new fields since 1970 and it is not true to suggest a parking lot would be an impediment. The speaker further stated that water runoff can be controlled and observed that the recreation department charges fees and actually returns funds that are generated by the use of the fields. # 60 – a representative from the Lexington United Soccer Club who observed there are 1500 Lexington kids who are involved in each of two seasons making 3000 children total participating in the soccer program. It was observed there was a tremendous demand for the use of fields and field access is a great concern. This group pays about $100,000.00 a year in field usage fees. It was stated another field would have a significant impact on the quality of the program. # 61 – the speaker lives near the farm and had experience buying seeds at Lexington Gardens and at Doran’s before they closed. She observed that her husband favors affordable housing and an open park which would be left undeveloped. It was felt by the speaker that parking should be on-site which no parking on the street. # 64 – the speaker is the president of the Lexington Youth Basketball program that incorporates about 200 children. He explained the philosophy followed in which they teach “share the ball”. The speaker felt the property should be shared in the sense that multi use should be made available. He mentioned there are emerging sports like cricket and ultimate frisbee which are making greater demands on the available fields. # 65 – A representative from the Lexington Conservation Group spoke in favor of keeping the farm as a community farm. It was noted there are health and nutrition benefits to be derived and also a farming operation which has educational value. The health benefits of locally grown produce are significant and with the premises being operated as a farm, wildlife would be protected. 150601.1 The chairman determined that there were no members of the audience who still had cards from the earlier meeting and new cards were distributed to those attending the meeting. The following individuals spoke: # 3 – the speaker is a 45 year resident who grew up on a farm in Lexington, Kentucky. He expressed an opinion that we could have several uses for the property and he could not see why this was not feasible. Among the uses would be open space, housing, farming and whatever other use might be made of the remaining available property. # 12 – represents the Lexington Affordable Housing Partnership which advocates for including affordable housing on the Busa property. She observed she is a coach as well. She supports the concept of work force housing and mentioned the income criteria problems that are presented. The speaker observed that there is a $600,000.00 gap between the median income and the median cost of housing. # 14 – a member of the Lexington Housing Partnership and supportive of affordable housing. It was observed this use would bring back vitality to the town. The speaker observed there are many qualified applicants for housing and nothing is available. On two acres it was observed 8 to 12 units could be built with the remaining land put into recreation and/or farming use. It was observed the Newton Community Farm operates on two and ½ acres. # 15 – Bill Kennedy, a Lex Hab member who indicated that rental costs have remained steady. Lex Hab had 37 applicants for housing last year and four were selected. The need for affordable housing was said to be greater today. The speaker suggested that the vote at a town meeting contemplated a mixed use for the premises. # 1 – the speaker indicated she has four children and coaches. She shops at the farmers market and has a very positive feeling towards healthy eating. She observed that kids exercise through organized sports and there is a need for one or two additional fields, at least. # 3 – the speaker supported fair and affordable housing and felt the farming interest should come forward with suggestions or compromise. # 8 – a Spring Street resident supported community farming and observed Lexington has other space for affordable housing and recreation fields. It was stated a farm dismantled will not come back in the future. # 9 – a Woodland Road resident who makes his property available as a drop off for CSA produce. It was observed that the girls’ lacrosse in town is very active and it is necessary they turn away many girls from the program due to a lack of fields. # 20 – a Balfour Street resident favored community farms and observed that there is security available when food is grown locally and you know what is being done to 150601.1 prepare the land and grow the crops in that you know where the food comes from. Obesity is now at an epidemic stage. Immigrants in town will be drawn to a community farm. A community farm is a model of cooperation and teamwork and once a farm is lost it cannot be taken back. # 25 – indicated she is a substitute for a housing partnership member who favors multi use. It was observed that affordable housing is greatly needed. # 26 – Oakmont Circle resident indicated she had coached T-ball and also participated in mother’s sports programs. She favored a mixed use. She loves the CSA concept. She is a member of the housing partnership and commented on the unhealthy stress levels at LHS. She observed that there is need for an intramural sports program which would assist in addressing the stress levels but the idea of an intramural sports program is not feasible as there are not enough fields. # 29 – Treasurer of Lexington Community Farm Coalitions – the speaker read a letter from another person in support of the community farm concept. She is a customer of Busa farm and her experience has caused her to favor the community farm concept. # 31 – a member of the Global Warming Coalition at LHS. She favored community farms and observed that farm experiences allow for environmental experience and farming experience and bridges the values kids have. # 39 – a neighbor stated there was not enough room on the farm for other uses. Neighbors will loose value for their houses if a mixed use is made of the property. Affordable housing for seniors in the town is alright but she does not want a low income ghetto. # 46 – a representative of the recreation department stressed the need for more fields and reviewed the history of the efforts to generate additional fields. She pointed out that fields were lost at Harrington School. # 47 – a LHS student and a neighbor whose mother had previously spoken supports the community farm. There is an alternative to recreation fields and that exercise can be obtained by running. A field on the Busa property would not be centrally located for sports teams and these teams would have to travel approximately four miles to reach the fields. # 49 – a Harrington school mother favored farming. She stated this was not an abstract piece of land and the land is irregularly shaped and not configured for multiple uses. She indicated she had received many calls from other asking how they could assist in keeping the property as a farm. # 50 – A Pop Warner representative and mother supported mixed use for the property and submitted a petition favoring mixed uses signed by 54 residents. 150601.1 # 56 – Referenced the Ricci land as a community farm substitute and advocated for uses for affordable housing and recreation. # 75 – a LHS grad who graduated from the farm school in western Massachusetts recently. He stressed the parcel is small and it is not wise to use the land for mixed uses. He mentioned there are only two farms in Lexington and questioned why we cannot have a community farm. # 79 – a town meeting member from Precinct Six who expressed absolute distress at the fact sheet being circulated which suggested town meeting voted to purchase the property for several uses. She stated there was no such vote and the selectman said it would appoint a committee with no preconceived positions. She also stated the community farm advocates are not a private group. # 87 – a Pleasant Street resident who stated Lexington historically was a community farm and that it would be a shame to lose this farm at this point in time. # 88 – a town meeting member from Precinct Six and the husband of a prior speaker who commented on the broad range of speakers and who stated a community farm would be the best incremental benefit to the town in that it cost nothing to start a community farm. He also stressed that you cannot go back if you start with a recreation field and then want to change back to another use. He also mentioned that 2 ¼ acres is not enough for a meaningful farm. # 93 – a neighbor on Lowell Street who indicates she counts her blessings with the farm across the street. A community farm would be a celebration of Lexington’s history and the farm is an opportunity to generate produce which is locally grown. # 94 – there will always be a need for affordable housing. She stated that her son goes to the farm and learns how the farm operates and sees how new things are created. She stated you can put many things there but they would not be like a farm. After the speakers had completed their comments the Chairman questioned whether there were any other speakers who might wish to be heard. There being none the Chairman indicated the future meeting schedule would be posted on the webpage for the community. The meeting was then closed by the Chairman at 9:35 p.m. R:\Dianne\wjd misc\Busa Farm\MINUTES 100710.doc 150601.1