Dexter Farm Project meeting and minutes

Hi all;
I want to remind you that we are having a special Farm Project meeting tomorrow night, January 19th at the Town Council Chambers. We will be going to the Fossa Building and go thru the building then come back to the Chamber to discuss YOUR needs and thought with our Architects QA13's Ken & Paula.
I am including 2 sets of minutes from December and January.
I hope you are able to come and see the building and input your thoughts. Sorry I haven't kept in touch as much, but trying to get out of my mid winter slump!
Call me if you have any questions.
Judy

January 5th, 2010 minutes
Judy opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and giving them a brief run down on what the plan for the General store has developed into so far. Judy noted that she met with the QA13 Architects on December 17th and covered a broad scope of information with them about the project. QA13 Architects will be visiting the building on the 19 of January at 7:00 p.m. to do another walk through. we talked about the many things that can be accomplished on our own, as a community, to clean up, remove debris and get work going, to save on the cost.

Judy clearly stated that this is the time that the community needs to come together and that we need volunteers. The group discussed that weekends would be the best time to work. Jean asked if she could get some people in there, on their own, during the week, and it was decided that it would be best to stick to weekends so that the work could be supervised.
Judy asked Fred Sherburne if they could use his pick up truck for dump runs once we decided how the debris needs to be removed. A pick up was offered for use by Lauraine Piquette if needed. Jean suggested pricing a dumpster.
A roll off would be an easy way to get rid of all of the garbage at once. The group decided to wait and see what need to be removed and how. We were made aware of a few things that may need special disposal. We talked once again about reusing the tin on the walls. Judy said that the paint was so thick that it should be removed and the tin reconditioned. Dave reminded us that the paint would most likely have lead in it. We talked about cost once again.
It was requested for people to bring heaters and tools. Emily, Barb, and Kathy all have space heaters that they volunteered for use.
We talked about how important it is to find out the need of the suppliers, as far as refrigeration and space for their products. It is very important for as many farmers as possible to give feed back on this important question. Judy showed all of us a diagram if the current foot print of the building and pointed out an area where we hope to put a root cellar.
We have the stove and the slate sinks being donated for use in the new general store. Bradley heating has offered his labor for free to remove the heavy ten burner stove from the fourth floor. Judy remarked about what a great and reasonable businessman Bradley is.
It is planned for Paul Dillan, an attorney to help us understand what will be needed. He has agreed to do a farmers workshop for all interested. Fred mentioned that Miles carpenter insurance has also committed to involved with the project. Lauraine mentioned knowing someone who might record the meeting. That way that if someone missed the workshop and wants to watch it they will have it available to them on line.
Judy expressed how happy Ernestien Fossa was to hear that the old family store will be up and running again. She looks forward to visiting the store. Kathy suggested getting old pictures of the building and blowing them up to add to the decorating inside. Judy mentioned that the old Fossa sign might be available to us for use in the new general store.
We talked more about getting the students from the school involved. Jean mentioned that they do so much fund raising that they should be part of such an important project.
Once again the question of the second floor came up and it was decided that we must speak to the architects about the cost. A number of $20-$30K was estimated by Lauraine and it was mentioned about how it was easier to do it now than later. The fear of not enough money came up.
Also, Dave was concerned about adding any changes to the grant. He said he wouldn't want to risk what we already have. The idea of having a big town roof raising party came up once again. We have a tentative date of March 6th. The issue of handicap access to the second floor came up. The cost of an elevator, and what the second floor could be used for.

Mark said that the government was offering stimulus packages for 1% for a/c and heating. Dave said that we were looking into additional grants.
We went back to the idea of a fund raising party. Lauraine offered to organize the event. Judy suggested an auction and to use the kitchen there and all do some cooking. Jean mentioned that a pie auction always does well. Kathy mentioned donations from the farmers. Lauraine suggested for farmers to give gift certificates from the farmer for when their crops are ready. We talked about baskets for auction and bonds donated from local banks. We concluded that we should do it all, to do our best to bring in as much money as possible. Judy mentioned to invite the Key club and Have a barn dance, to get them involved with fund raising. Jean suggested a winter formal/prom. Lauraine offered her home to the key club members if they wanted to have such an event. It was suggested to invite all the local other Key clubs too.

Emily brought up the idea of an additional town board , to display local news and events located near the new store.
We talked about the importance of being green. We all agreed that this project is to assist in sustaining the local area to be more dependent on our own town for supplies and food. we went around the room to get a quick number of stores that we each shopped at. Most shopped locally,at one or two stores.
Our next meeting will be on the 19th at 7:00p.m.

Farm Project meeting

DRDC meeting 12/01/09 minutes
Roger Brawn opened the meeting with a brief talk about what this meeting is about and what things have been talked about in prior meetings.

Everyone introduced themselves around the room. Fewer people attended than last meeting, but we still had a good size group. Jason Bird spoke about the bids being publicly open today and about the architects process for the selection of the general contractor. He stressed the fact that since DRDC approved grant is a Federal grant, that the rules for guidelines might limit us in keeping our local contractors and sub-contractors involved with this part of the project.
Judy Craig requested any feed back from local farmers about what their needs might be, so we could incorporate them into the design plan. Judy also told us that we were able to use the slate sink and stove from the old Odd Fellows kitchen. "It was donated to the town and would look great in our new store", she went on to say. Judy also told the group that she had plans to bring the web site up to speed, and planned to post farmers stories as part of a way of staying connected with farmers all over the country and the world. The thought was once again brought up, on streaming the meetings to allow people who were unable to attend to still watch and listen to what went on. Once the workshops begin it will be important for all who are interested in the project to stay involved.

We talked about insurance for the farmers and what would be needed. It was mentioned that we should invite insurance companies to put on a workshop. Miles West Insurance company was suggested as being one of the best in the area. They are excited about this project, and ready to help with the support that will be needed.
In the upcoming weeks Judy will meet with lawyer Paul Dillian of Corinth to talk about how he might assist us in this project. She will also get some quotes from him on his fees and rates.
The group talked about certifying kitchens, labeling and branding for the new store. We talked about the cost of bags being printed and brainstormed about what a logo might look like. Fred Sherburne brought up the idea of getting the school involved with a graphic design. We also talked about soil quality and different things that farmers would need to know to grow the quality of produce we plan to carry.
We discussed that the USDA has an abundance of programs available. They even offer cooling and refrigeration loans of up to $400K to the producer at a rate of about 3%. The fact was brought up about lenders requiring crop insurance.
We talked about the guidelines for meat, and the importance of approved slaughter housed. The certification is different for poultry, and a limit is placed on the amount. They still must be licensed. Eggs are inspected by the state of Maine depending on the size and number being produced. Product liability is still needed. Vegetables require product liability insurance too. The rules change when you deal with the commercial stand compared to the private stand.
Judy once again spoke about how much we need more members, and to please join DRDC. If more farmers were to join it could help leverage grants without forming other boards.
Town manager Dave Pearson spoke about where we are with our understanding of this project thus far; He stressed that the plan was to have locally grown and / or organic products;food would not be prepared on the premises, additional grants would be needed to certify a kitchen.
A kitchen grant will be another goal. Meat that was cryo-vac would be the only meat sold. The store will not be a co-op, but might have a membership with special benefits. The store will also act as an information center for farmers. If additional help was needed to harvest a crop or do work, farmers could locate help through the general store. Judy reminded the group that a pre-buying plan would be good for raising capital. Tithing was also an idea we wanted to keep in the plan of things.
A plan to put together a brief survey for farmers and consumers was discussed. We would plan to have that in the works by the 19th of January 2010.
Roger Brawn went over some of the bylaws and talked about all the responsibility and different jobs that Judy will have in her new roll as director of DRDC. The salary that she receives can also be used as leverage for additional grants. We all concurred that Judy Craig should be paid for all her hard work and efforts as director.
The next meeting for Dexter Regional Development Corporation is January 5th 2010.