Below are the notes from the December 16th Planning Board Meeting with Farmers, Artists and Equestrian Business owners by Comp Plan Consultant, Sam Shamoon.




Glocester Planning Board meeting




December 16. 2013 7:30 PM




About 32 people were in attendance. Twelve (12) spoke; some spoke more than once. Twenty–four people put their names, addresses, phone numbers and emails on the sign–in sheet. The following is a list of those who spoke, with just a brief summary of their statements.




  1. Robert Howard – Howard Farms. Dairy farm undercut by Cumberland farms. State regulations and taxes "hurt everything." He now raises beef cattle and 30 pigs.

  2. Roy Najeki – Craft occupation – makes props for movies and TV.

  3. Christine Hannon – Artist and home based businesswoman

  4. Mark Howard – Blueberry farm

  5. Mike Paparo – small farm, farrier.

  6. Joe Dotoli – Horse business TIBRI

  7. Kevin Wilkes – Horse owner. Buys grain and hay locally.

  8. Stacia Lacroix – Foster farmers market.

  9. Reena Mathews – Marketing

  10. Dawn Dunn – Farmer

  11. Joan Hansen – Artist

  12. Gary Smith – Farmer

    Many statements, which could lead to actionable goals in the comp plan, overlapped and are presented below.




  1. Need for a local town website that assists start up businesses.

  2. Promote horse boarding as a permitted use.

  3. Allow bed and breakfast establishments throughout the town (now allowed only in Chepachet Village)

  4. Promote "open studio" and "gallery night" modeled on Pomfret CT. Consider outdoor painting "plein air" modeled on Lyme CT.

  5. Market a directory of all home based businesses

  6. Use recreation areas for horseback riding, by providing parking. Promote a local Hunter Pace tack shop.

  7. Provide zoning protection for equestrian and agricultural businesses and related uses.

  8. Promote 4H clubs

  9. Preserve Peterson Farm

  10. Map areas that are conducive to recreational sites, bridal and hiking trails.

  11.  Promote arts studios

  12. Consider vineyard, winery at Mulberry?

  13. Farmers Market in field across from Police station.

  14. Develop a marketing committee.




 


Planning Board Meeting with Local Artists, Farm owners and Equestrian business owners.

At the December 16th Planning Board meeting local residents, artists, farmers and other interested people met to discuss how changes to the Comprehensive Communtiy Plan. What was discussed was relative to changes that can be made to encourage growth of local farms, farmers markets, equestrian pursuits, artist businesses and any similar low impact business that currently exists in town.

The turnout for this meeting exceeded expectations with approximately 32 people in attendance.

We heard from a local farmer who at one point had over 100 cows that were milked on a daily basis. It was told to the folks in attendance that state regulations and the price of milk has killed the dairy business in Rhode Island. He is currently working on ways to maintain his 150 acre farm as openspace without being burdend by the taxes he has to pay.

A local crafter discussed how he makes period leather goods, tack that is used as movie props. His business is strictly mail order by phone or the internet. He suggested that there be a website of information on the steps of how to start a business in town.

A local artist discussed that the town is missing an opportunity with artists. Some towns have "Open Studio Days" in the fall. If the town could get 20 to 30 studios to open on one day people would come to visit the town. This can be shared with farms and other businesses such as Antiques that complement each other. Another idea shared was "Gallery Nights" If the town could arrange a town directory, even a website link for galleries, farm stands, farms, antique businesses, restaurants etc. this could help keep visitors in town longer and patronizing local businesses. A plug was made for the "Experience Rhode Island" company that brings people around using busses.

We heard from a local farm owner and farrier who suggested that we use more of the openspace for equestrian trails. He suggested that the Town consider Hunter-Pace events, which are becoming more popular among equestrian enthusiasts. For scheduled events, the town website or other organizations can advertize these events. One of the more important factors to consider is parking and moving trucks with trailers around, so it is important that any new facilities include adequate parking.

Keeping on topic with Equestrian pursuits, it was suggested that Bed and Breakfasts and Tack shops could blossom around town that would develop and support the growth of equestrian businesses.

A new resident and horse business owner found the town to be very welcoming. He stated that he is looking to have equestrian events in the future and would like to see how this can be done with the town’s support.

Another resident who owns horses suggested that the town regulations be more sensitive toward the keeping of horses and avoid nuisance complaints from neighbors. Also allow for the keeping of other animals such as chickens that help support the rural way of life. In his experience the town has lots of horse owners with a small number of horses. He also suggested that that there are many connections that can be made with FFA and 4H Clubs to support the growth of this kind of business.

The manager of the Northwest Farmers Market attended and suggested that the town work to allow other kinds of events to occur. It was attempted last year to have a wine tasting at the Farmers Market, but it was not held due to confusion over what regulations applied and who was liable.

It was presented that the town of East Lyme Ct. holds an open air painting event annually on Land Trust property where local artists set up and paint for the day. Paintings are sold and proceeds go toward the local land trust. This can be a good tie into the high school art programs to become involved too.

It was also suggested that the town businesses get together to create a town recreation map for distribution at a town welcome center and in local businesses. It could be a placemats, a big map or pamphlet showing local businesses and recreation areas.

It was also suggested that the town find a way to bring small farms together so that they can work together on marketing, selling product and growing their businesses.

It was suggested that the town look into QR codes for identification of the town or businesses using an I-Phone. The Town of Bristol has this for local businesses and maps. It was also suggested that there be a Facebook page for the town and businesses.

Ray Goff’s notes relating to the discussion of December 16th meeting with Farmers and Artists.




 
At the last Planning Board Workshop in September, we listened to local businesses owners on what the Town could be doing to improve the business climate.    We quickly learned that not only do we need to work locally, but also statewide in terms of regulations and fees collected from businesses. 

It was stated that state incorporation fees are too high, for retail establishments collecting taxes is a burden without any discernible benefit to the business, only penalties.

It was mentioned that the provision of sewer and water will help with new business and expansions in the village of Chepachet.  The recently adopted Village Overlay District has helped with giving property owners more flexability in the types of allowable uses in the village.

One business owner stated that over half his rent went toward taxes on the property he rents.  This seemed too high for businesses to survive.
Other ideas that were shared included encouraging more industry in town through industrial parks, taking advantage of all the open space and recreational land trail systems through allowing/encouraging outdoor activities such as bicycling, hiking, horses, motorcycles etc.

The Board also discussed having future meetings where agricultural businesses can attend and share their thoughts on what trends they see and how the Town may position itself to allow for future growth and  to foster more compatible businesses.
 
    This page is being used to discuss information that has come before the  Planning Board. 

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