My Name is Paul H Cosentino. I started this Blog in 2011 because of what I believe to be wrongdoings in town government. This Blog is to keep the citizens of Templeton informed. It is also for the citizens of Templeton to post their comments and concerns.
I don't have one, but all I know is the Board of Health wants to adopt regulations for people who have what would be considered "farm animals" We have a right to farm by-law, but this would be different, as it will set standards for how much land, etc.. This is off the top of my head. I got the drift this weekend when I spoke to a couple of people who would/maybe be effected by this. This means you should attend a hearing when they have one. Like anything else, no room for bitching when the law is passed. Always remember, "Government is run by those who show up!" Bev.
Hope I know when this hearing will be as my neighborhood is full of goats and chickens (those are the animals I know about) on very limited land and I am all for farming but if you barely have land I feel the animals suffer.
I am not complaining about farms at all. I am just worried about people who have very, very small plots of land (probably well under an acre) and they have all sorts of goats and chickens and other animals. They have no room to move around and they are very close to roads which can not be good for the animals.
This was a proposal for some new regulation in Templeton that requires 1 acre per large animal. Some farmers choose to feed livestock hay and grain, which negates the need for an acre per animal. The BOH minutes from June and July explain the what and why of this proposal.
I was using Smith Farm as an example as to why I don't like this proposal. It sounds like a revenue raising scheme more than a solution to any public health problem. If we pass this proposal, we would exclude a business like Smith's. Which would be a very stupid move, to say the least.
I have a posted a copy of the proposed farm animal regulations. There will be a hearing on Sept. 5th.
There is now a link to a google calendar for Templeton Events (beneath the info for local businesses). I will attempt to keep the calendar up to date with meeting and events in Templeton.
Anybody have a copy of the letter sent to all folks in town with large animals?
ReplyDeleteI don't have one, but all I know is the Board of Health wants to adopt regulations for people who have what would be considered "farm animals" We have a right to farm by-law, but this would be different, as it will set standards for how much land, etc.. This is off the top of my head. I got the drift this weekend when I spoke to a couple of people who would/maybe be effected by this. This means you should attend a hearing when they have one. Like anything else, no room for bitching when the law is passed. Always remember, "Government is run by those who show up!" Bev.
DeleteHope I know when this hearing will be as my neighborhood is full of goats and chickens (those are the animals I know about) on very limited land and I am all for farming but if you barely have land I feel the animals suffer.
ReplyDeleteKimber - what about an operation such as Smith's Farm, in Winchendon? Would this proposed regulation prohibit such an operation in Templeton?
ReplyDeleteSmith's Farm is a model in this area. They are a good business, which we should encourage more of, not erect roadblocks against.
Just what documented health problem is this proposal solving?
I am not complaining about farms at all. I am just worried about people who have very, very small plots of land (probably well under an acre) and they have all sorts of goats and chickens and other animals. They have no room to move around and they are very close to roads which can not be good for the animals.
ReplyDeleteThis was a proposal for some new regulation in Templeton that requires 1 acre per large animal. Some farmers choose to feed livestock hay and grain, which negates the need for an acre per animal. The BOH minutes from June and July explain the what and why of this proposal.
ReplyDeleteFYI, I am pretty sure Smith Farm is in Winchendon. Bev.
DeleteI was using Smith Farm as an example as to why I don't like this proposal. It sounds like a revenue raising scheme more than a solution to any public health problem. If we pass this proposal, we would exclude a business like Smith's. Which would be a very stupid move, to say the least.
ReplyDeleteI have a posted a copy of the proposed farm animal regulations. There will be a hearing on Sept. 5th.
ReplyDeleteThere is now a link to a google calendar for Templeton Events (beneath the info for local businesses). I will attempt to keep the calendar up to date with meeting and events in Templeton.
Thanks for posting Julie. I have learned that the Massachusetts Farm Bureau may also attend the hearing on September 5.
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