January 31, 2022 | Town Admin TOWN OF SUTTON Pillsbury Memorial Town Hall 93 Main Street Sutton Mills, NH Sutton Mills, NH 03221 Select Board January 31, 2022 @ 4:30 p.m. Dane Headley, Acting Chair, opened the meeting at 4:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Present at the meeting were: Dane Headley, Selectman; Walter Baker, Jr., Selectman; Mike McManus, Ed Canane, John Maynard, and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator. APPOINTMENTS: At 5:00 p.m., Ed Canane met with the Board to discuss the establishment of an Agricultural Commission in Sutton. Mr. Canane provided handouts for the Board. Mr. Canane advised that an Agricultural Commission is a non-regulatory body within the Town and that the Town needs to adopt an Agricultural Commission at town meeting. There are about twenty towns in NH that have Agricultural Commission. The purpose behind the Commission is to advise existing boards, such as the Planning Board and Conservation Commission, Zoning Board and Select Board about Agricultur. Mr. Canane referred to the ten enumerated items in the handouts that describe the function of an Agricultural Commission. Mr. Canane felt that the Commission would help with developing a stronger community. He discussed the separate villages in Sutton. He felt the Commission would help bring the villages together and provide input into the “Rural Character” which is so valuable to Sutton citizens. Mr. Canane expressed concern that the Master Plan was not incorporating an agricultural component. The agricultural commission is there to help farmers. Mr. Canane felt that Muster Field could be a big contributor to the Commission. Commissions generally meet once a month to look at aspects of the community that would benefit from agricultural. Mr. Canane said that Sutton does not meet the aspects of a “farm friendly” town as defined by the Office of Strategic Planning (OSP). Mr. Canane discussed the importance of a food sources within a community. Selectman Headley asked whether the Commission would try to attract farmers to the Town. Mr. Canane was asked whether this would help farmers to get grants. Mr. Canane said that the Commission could be a clearing house for funding sources. Mr. McManus asked whether the Commission would require funding from the town. Mr. Canane explained that no funding would be required from the Town. The Commission would need a place to meet and use of office supplies/equipment. The Commission could accept outside funding that would be administered by the Town’s Treasurer. Mr. McManus asked whether the focus of the Commission was on Micro-Farming? Mr. Canane said the Commission would focus on large, small, or medium-sized food sources. It would be helpful resource for Sutton’s land use boards. The Commission would advocate for food and agriculture. Mr. Canane was asked whether there was enough agricultural interest in Sutton to attract the volunteers required to fulfill its duties. Selectman Headley asked about membership composition. Mr. Canane responded that there was a minimum of three members and that it would take five members to be viable. The maximum would seven and the Board would include an ex-officio. Mr. Canane said that the Commission would not just be farmers and would be comprised of different sectors of the agricultural community. It would include land use professionals, businesspeople, and food advocates. Selectman Headley asked about the scope of production and distribution. Mr. Canane said that the Commission would not be involved in marketing and sales aspects, except for assistance with developing a local farmers’ market. Mr. Canane elaborated on the farmers’ market concept. Mr. Canane discussed the educational components that the Commission could spearhead in addition to building community spirit. Selectman Baker discussed the potential for using town land and the possibility of a community garden. Selectman Headley said that Spring Ledge, Muster Field, or Sweet Beets were local resources for farm goods. Mr. Canane said that the Commission would not be focused on sales, but more on food production etc. Mr. Canane summarized the purpose of an agricultural commission as follows: The purpose of an agricultural commission is to protect agricultural lands, preserve rural character, provide a voice for farmers, and encourage agriculture-based businesses. Establishing an agricultural commission is an option for communities that value their local farms and rural character, keeping land in open space, and healthy, locally-produced foods. An agricultural commission has no regulatory authority. The focus of an agricultural commission is Advise and work with other boards and commissions on issues facing farming in the town; Conduct inventories of agricultural resources; Conduct inventories of historic farms and farm buildings; Educate the public on matters relating to farming and agriculture; Serve as a local voice advocating for farmers, farm businesses, and farm interests; Provide visibility for farming; Give farmers a place to go to for help; Help resolve farm-related problems or conflicts; and Help protect farmland and other natural resources. What does an agricultural commission do? An agricultural commission does not have any regulatory authority. Their role is to advise other town boards and advocate for farming. Selectman Baker said that he would endorse a Warrant Article for the Commission. Selectman Baker expressed enthusiasm for a Farmer’s Market. The timeline for submitting a warrant article was discussed. Selectman Headley emphasized that it was a big responsibility that would take a lot of effort and time to administer. Selectman Headley asked for a summary of the goals and objectives of an Agricultural Commission. Selectman Baker made a motion to place an article on the Warrant. The Board discussed the timing of the draft Warrant. Phillips said that she could make a draft available for their next regularly scheduled meeting, but that the actual numbers would not be finalized until after the Select Board Meeting. Selectman Baker made a motion to write a Warrant Article to establish a Agricultural Commission. Selectman Headley seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 2-0. The minutes from January 24, 2022, were approved as written. The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests. Vendor Manifest: $16,218.37 Payroll Manifest: $10,358.70 NEW BUSINESS: The Board executed the 2021 equalization study. The Board reviewed and approved the draft Round Room Report. OLD BUSINESS: The Board discussed the 2021 audit. Phillips reported that fieldwork has been completed. Selectman Baker reported on the Stotler hearing. The court was not clear on whether there had been proper notice for the hearing. If there was a problem with notification, a re-hearing will be required. SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS: At 5:50 p.m. Selectman Headley made a motion to enter into Non-public under RSA 91-A:3,II(c) maters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person, other than a member of this board. Selectman Baker seconded the motion The Board was polled. The motion passed with Selectman Headley and Selectman Baker voting in the affirmative. Public session resumed at 6:06 p.m. Selectman Baker made a motion to seal the minutes. Selectman Headley seconded the motion. The motion passed by an affirmative vote of 2-0. At 6:07 p.m. Selectman Headley made a motion to enter into Non-public under RSA 91-A:3,II(a) setting the compensation of any public employee. The Board was polled. The motion passed with Selectman Headley and Selectman Baker voting in the affirmative. Public session resumed at 6:09 p.m. The Board discussed future goals which included adopting a Code of Conduct and updating the personnel and purchasing policies. Selectman Headley will continue working on the Code of Conduct which will apply to employees and public officials. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elly Phillips, Town Administrator