[Adopted 5-10-2005 ATM, Art. 28]
A.Â
The purpose and intent of this article is to approve
the formation of an Agricultural Commission to represent citizens
of the Town of Boxford with respect to issues concerning commercial
and recreational farming; inform, facilitate, and represent citizens
of the Town of Boxford on farming issues; preserve and protect farmland;
work with other Town boards and commissions; assist or facilitate
resolution of farm-related problems or conflicts; assist with natural
resource management; and establish communication with the Massachusetts
Department of Agricultural Resources.
B.Â
Approval of an Agricultural Commission does not alter
requirements of Town, state or federal statutes, regulations or bylaws.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
Farming in all its branches and the cultivation
and tillage of the soil;
Production, cultivation, growing, and harvesting
of any agricultural, aquacultural, floricultural, viticultural, or
horticultural commodity;
Growing and harvesting of forest products upon
forest land and any other forestry or lumbering operations;
Keeping, raising, and training of horses as
a commercial or recreational enterprise; for pleasure, therapy, and
4-H projects; and
Keeping and raising of poultry, swine, cattle,
ratites (such as emus, ostriches and rheas) and camelids (such as
llamas and camels), and other domesticated animals for food, dairying,
recreation, 4-H projects or other agricultural purposes, including
bees.
[Amended 9-12-2020 ATM by Art. 19]
The Commission shall consist of five members
appointed by the Select Board. The Commission will consist of two
commercial agricultural enterprise operators (landowner or lessee)
or individuals from related professions and industries, with the primary
goal of promoting commercial agriculture. One of the remaining positions
must be representative of Boxford's recreational farming community
and the two remaining positions shall be appointed at-large. The Commission
must represent diversity of farming within the Town of Boxford. The
initial terms for Commission members shall be staggered: two members
for a term of three years, two members for a term of two years and
one member for a term of one year. Successive terms will be three-year,
appointments. In addition, up to five nonvoting associate members
shall be selected by the Commission for a term of one year to represent
Town boards and farming interests.
A.Â
Any person aggrieved by an activity being conducted
on a farm may, notwithstanding pursuing any other available remedy,
file a grievance with the Select Board, Zoning Enforcement Officer,
Conservation Commission, or any other Town commission or board, depending
upon the nature of the grievance. The filing of the grievance does
not suspend the time within which to pursue any other available remedies
the aggrieved may have. The Select Board, Zoning Enforcement Officer,
Conservation Commission, or any other Town commission or board may
forward a copy of the grievance to the Agricultural Commission, which
shall review and facilitate the resolution of the grievance, and report
its recommendations to the referring Town authority within an agreed-upon
time frame.
[Amended 9-12-2020 ATM by Art. 19]
B.Â
The Board of Health, except in cases of imminent danger
or public health risk, may forward a copy of the grievance to the
Agricultural Commission, which shall review and facilitate the resolution
of the grievance, and report its recommendations to the Board of Health
within an agreed-upon time frame.
C.Â
Farmers seeking assistance, guidance, facilitation,
or suggestions concerning farming issues may also approach the Agricultural
Commission, which shall review and facilitate whatever processes the
Agricultural Commission determines with respect to guidance or suggestions.
Issues of grievance require the Agricultural Commission to notify
appropriate Town authorities, depending on the nature of the grievance.
A.Â
The Commission, once appointed, shall develop a work
plan and bylaws to guide its activities. Such activities include,
but are not limited to, the following: determine Commission's meeting
schedule; promote agricultural-based enterprises; establish a notification
bylaw that the Town of Boxford is supportive of farming, dedicated
to the preservation of open space and ardent in preserving its rural
charm, to be voted on at Town Meeting; pursue appropriate initiatives
to create a sustainable agricultural community; work for the preservation
of prime agricultural lands; serve as facilitators for encouraging
the pursuit of agriculture in the Town of Boxford; advocate and/or
negotiate farming issues; work with all Town commissions and boards
to achieve its goals.
B.Â
The Agricultural Commission will utilize the Town
of Boxford website to provide the citizens of Boxford the meeting
schedules, resources, agricultural news, promotion of local agricultural
products, upcoming agricultural events, and other information pertaining
to farming activities in the Town of Boxford and the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.
C.Â
The appointed Agricultural Commission reserves the
right to recommend further members of the Agricultural Commission
with the intent to be representative of the diversity and scale of
agriculture within the Town of Boxford.
[Added 5-9-2006 ATM, Art. 28]
The Agricultural Commission Disclosure Notification
caused to be published in the Town of Boxford website, annual report,
or Town census:
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"It is the policy of this community to conserve,
protect and encourage the maintenance and improvement of agricultural
land promotion of sustainable agriculture inclusive of the production
of food, and other agricultural products, and also for its natural
and ecological value. This disclosure notification is to inform buyers
or occupants that the property they are about to acquire or occupy
lies within a Town where farming activities may occur. Such farming
activities may include, but are not limited to, activities that cause
noise, dust and odors. Buyers or occupants are also informed that
the location of property within the Town may be impacted by recreational
and commercial agricultural operations, including the ability to access
water services for such property under certain circumstances."
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"Buyers or occupants should also note that the
Town of Boxford owns extensive parcels of land that may be used for
recreational and agricultural purpose. In addition, an extensive trail
network on public and private lands exists and connects to most of
these Town owned parcels."
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"The Town of Boxford is supportive of farming,
dedicated to the preservation of open space, and ardent in preserving
its rural charm for future generations."
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