January 21st, 2014

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.