Minutes 03-19-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Price asked if there is a way to find out if Hillsborough plans to do inclusionary housing in Waterstone. Commissioner Rich said there are 21 lots there, and the last discussion was about whether all of these would be developed or whether some would be sold back for payment in lieu. She said there is also a concern about the amount of money that Hillsborough puts into the Community Home Trust. She said these discussions are on the table, but there has been no conclusion. • Agricultural Preservation Board - Howard McAdams, Past Chair/Peter Sandbeck, DEAPR Staff Howard McAdams said elections were held last night, and he is now the past Chair. He said if there are agricultural issues that come before Board of County Commissioners or other advisory boards, the Agricultural Preservation Board would like the opportunity to vet those issues prior to decisions being made. He said his wife was a Cooperative Extension employee who retired in 2009, and since then, that position has been vacant more than it has been filled. He said if there is anything urgent for the farmers in Orange County, it would be important for that position to be filled. He said this position is jointly funded, with 60 percent of funding from the County, and 40 percent from the state. Commissioner Rich said she is excited about the voluntary agricultural districts. She said the Board has done a great job of promoting this. Howard McAdams said Gail Hughes has done a fantastic job. Commissioner Pelissier thanked this board for their work on vetting the agricultural support enterprises. She feels that there have been great steps taken to support agriculture, and she hopes more can be done. Commissioner Price referred to page 36 and the concerns about the animal services board and the unified ordinance. She said it is important for the Board of County Commissioners to follow up on this issue. • Animal Services Advisory Board - Michelle Walker, Chair and Bob Marotto Michelle Walker said the Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB) is full, and there was 100 percent attendance at last night's meeting. She said the towns are currently reviewing the Unified Animal Control Ordinance, and she expects votes in April. She said there has been mention of coordination with the Agricultural Preservation Board, and members from the two boards have met in the past year. She said there is a free-roaming cat task force that has met during the past year to discuss strategic management of pet overpopulation, and they have created an excellent report that was included as an information item at the Commissioners' last meeting. Commissioner Price asked if the ASAB has submitted a draft of the Animal Control Ordinance to the Agricultural Preservation Board as it relates to livestock. Michelle said she remembered that the information was shared, and the language was agreed upon by both boards. Bob Marotto said that is the same language that was presented last year at a work session for the Board of County Commissioners. Chair McKee encourage continued collaboration with the Agricultural Preservation Board.