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7 <br /> 1 <br /> 2 <br /> 3 <br /> 4 <br /> 5 • Agricultural Preservation Board - Howard McAdams, Past Chair/Peter Sandbeck, <br /> 6 DEAPR Staff <br /> 7 Howard McAdams said elections were held last night, and he is now the past Chair. He <br /> 8 said if there are agricultural issues that come before Board of County Commissioners or other <br /> 9 advisory boards, the Agricultural Preservation Board would like the opportunity to vet those <br /> 10 issues prior to decisions being made. <br /> 11 He said his wife was a Cooperative Extension employee who retired in 2009, and since <br /> 12 then, that position has been vacant more than it has been filled. He said if there is anything <br /> 13 urgent for the farmers in Orange County, it would be important for that position to be filled. He <br /> 14 said this position is jointly funded, with 60 percent of funding from the County, and 40 percent <br /> 15 from the state. <br /> 16 Commissioner Rich said she is excited about the voluntary agricultural districts. She <br /> 17 said the Board has done a great job of promoting this. <br /> 18 Howard McAdams said Gail Hughes has done a fantastic job. <br /> 19 Commissioner Pelissier thanked this board for their work on vetting the agricultural <br /> 20 support enterprises. She feels that there have been great steps taken to support agriculture, <br /> 21 and she hopes more can be done. <br /> 22 Commissioner Price referred to page 36 and the concerns about the animal services <br /> 23 board and the unified ordinance. She said it is important for the Board of County <br /> 24 Commissioners to follow up on this issue. <br /> 25 <br /> 26 • Animal Services Advisory Board - Michelle Walker, Chair and Bob Marotto <br /> 27 Michelle Walker said the Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB) is full, and there was <br /> 28 100 percent attendance at last night's meeting. <br /> 29 She said the towns are currently reviewing the Unified Animal Control Ordinance, and <br /> 30 she expects votes in April. She said there has been mention of coordination with the <br /> 31 Agricultural Preservation Board, and members from the two boards have met in the past year. <br /> 32 She said there is a free-roaming cat task force that has met during the past year to <br /> 33 discuss strategic management of pet overpopulation, and they have created an excellent report <br /> 34 that was included as an information item at the Commissioners' last meeting. <br /> 35 Commissioner Price asked if the ASAB has submitted a draft of the Animal Control <br /> 36 Ordinance to the Agricultural Preservation Board as it relates to livestock. <br /> 37 Michelle said she remembered that the information was shared, and the language was <br /> 38 agreed upon by both boards. <br /> 39 Bob Marotto said that is the same language that was presented last year at a work <br /> 40 session for the Board of County Commissioners. <br /> 41 Chair McKee encourage continued collaboration with the Agricultural Preservation <br /> 42 Board. <br /> 43 <br /> 44 • Arts Commission - Ashley Nissler, Vice Chair/Martha Shannon, Support Staff <br /> 45 Ashley Nissler thanked the Commissioners for their support in making it possible to <br /> 46 provide art grants in Orange County. She said this year the Arts Commission will mark their <br /> 47 30th anniversary with several special events, and she specifically invited the Board to the <br /> 48 commission's birthday celebration on September 3rd <br /> 49 Chair McKee thanked the Arts Commission for their work. <br /> 50 <br />