HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/02/2017
ALCOHOL FARM PRODUCTS WORKING GROUP
Mon., October 2, 2017
5:00PM
Town Hall Conference Room
MINUTES
I.Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:00PM.
II.Roll Call
Frank Purita, Joann Maynard, Ian VanBourgondien, Nancy Torchio,
Louisa Hargrave, Kristina Gabrielson, Nancy Foote
Also attending: Denis Noncarrow, Kelly Zegers (Times Review)
III.Approval of Minutes September 25, 2017
Motion moved by Louisa to approve minutes. Motion seconded by Ian.
All ayes.
IV.Discussion Items:
Committee meetings welcome guests to attend. The committee
discussed guidelines for guests who would like to contribute to the
meeting. The committee would like to welcome comments and
questions at a specific time during the meeting. Limit this time to five
minutes? Go into Executive Session for committee votes? A vote will be
put on the agenda for next meeting for committee members to
consider.
Microwineries
Discussion continued with micro wineries. The wineries are smaller (less
than 10 acres) than a farm winery but can be part of a larger farm.
Microwineries will give an opportunity for younger or new people to
enter the industry and be able to afford it. The tasting room would
enable visitors to come and taste wine. Health requirements need to
be considered in addition to the Town r
barns for use on the property. If grape growers are pushed onto larger
2
parcels and need to build new larger buildings, these wineries will have
to promote larger events to stay in business.
Boutique wineries: winery is part of an existing farm, denoveau
(minimum 5 acres), extant farm (open to less acres). Microwineries
continue to promote agriculture to market. Continue to protect
farmland for the future and grapes are a good crop. Tasting rooms
would be based on building codes. Farm appointments are a good idea
for microwineries. Visitors would like to see the farm where grapes are
grown. Depending on lot requirements can an Inn or Bed and Breakfast
be considered on the property?
A concern is whether the tasting room can lead to more excess. If
accommodate a few visitors at a time. Frank is concerned with how this
Size of microwineries was discussed. Five acres with two plus two acres
or three plus two acres. Guidelines for boutique winery: no music or no
amplified music, tastings and sales by appointment only, no special
events, any food service would be at cost. Consider an incubator,
separate tasting room. Turn away limos and busses. Many of the
transportation companies know where they will not be received and
avoid these wineries. Code Enforcement will have to be properly
funded to enforce codes. Winery should be simple, bare. No dedicated
tasting room but tasting by appointment in a reception/sales area.
Limit anything that would disturb quality of life.
Discussion continued with Farm Wineries.
As defined, contiguous property may be limiting. Can it be considered
to allow a Town road to bisect property. It was pointed out that the
property is considered two separate pieces/lots if a road runs through it.
If it is preserved land should there be more flexibility? Consider a ZBA
exception or hearing?
V.The next meeting was set for Monday, October 23, 2017 at 6:00 PM
VI.The next meeting was adjourned at 6:25 PM