Photos
Concerns about alpacas displayed during last summer's farmer's markets could lead to a Town Meeting discussion about allowing animals on the Common, selectmen said tonight.
Selectman John Carlson said he received complaints about odors from the alpacas, owned by Angel Hair Alpacas in North Grafton, after they were displayed during the weekly farmer's markets held Thursdays on the Common in the summer.
The current bylaw, established in 1974, prohibits animals of any type on the Common. In earlier times, the Common was used for grazing sheep and other agricultural purposes.
The law prohibits dogs, leashed or unleashed, to use the Common, although walkers can be seen using the site.
The farmer's markets will begin their fourth season this year. They provide a showcase for local agricultural establishments and provide fresh, locally grown produce for sale, said Michael Urban, who oversees the farmer's markets.
Displaying the alpacas, which are raised in town by town residents, provides a look at an animal that people might otherwise not see. The alpacas are raised for their wool, which is used to make items such as mittens and socks.
He said he had never heard a complaint about the alpacas on display. He said there are no immediate plans to showcase any other animals at the market, but said he could foresee rabbits or other small animals being involved at some point.
Carlson said he approached Maureen Agley, an owner of Angel Hair Alpacas, and asked her to put down material that would capture the animals' waste. She complied with the request, he said.
He said that having the alpacas as part of the agricultural event is "a good idea. But I'm afraid of what's coming down the road,'' he said, noting that horses or cows could potentially be featured.
Selectman chairman Peter Adams said he is concerned about events such as the farmer's market causing damage to the Common. With the large number of activities there, he said he is concerned "we are loving the Common to death.''
Selectman David Ross worried that animal droppings could pose a health hazard to children crawling on the ground.
Urban countered that all vendors at the market are required to clean up after themselves. Agley said she believes that the alpacas are "getting a bad rap for the odor'' and questioned whether the number of dogs at the Common could contribute to the issue.
Parks director Phil Johnson shared Adams' concerns that the Common is overused. He said he had considered closing it for a season to allow the grass to grow unimpeded.
"The tuft has gone right down the chute,'' he said.
He said that every time the alpacas were displayed at the farmer's market, "my phone would ring off the hook'' with concerns about the animals being displayed there.
Adams asked whether the Farmers Market could move to another location, such as the town property at 25 Worcester St.
Urban said the Common is an ideal location for the markets and for a variety of town activities. "The Common is part of the greatness of this town,'' he said. "It's a beautiful spot.''
Having 250 people visit the market is "a good thing, not a bad thing,'' he said.
Selectmen suggested supporters draft an article for the May Town Meeting if they want to change the bylaw to allow animals at the Common.
Mell Gibson
8:58 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Really I think this is awful. Fine ban the Alpacas, ban animals. BUT to even think of CLOSING the common for a season is just plan wrong. We want to build community and having the events on the common help do just that. I enjoy going to the Farmers Market every week. Picking up some fresh items and going home and making a nice meal for my family. The common is public land and should NEVER be closed to the Public.
James Walsh III
1:39 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I contributed quite a few points to this discussion last night, as the chairman of the Agricultural Committee...among the "he said" points, I might have missed the part that mentions that the Agricultural Committee was present, and that it's chair even made an argument for allowing animals on the Common, and that we...the entire committee...endorse the efforts to lift the all encompassing restriction on any animals on the Common.
The Common is a perfect location for events, and, as I said last night, would be a fantastic location for further agricultural/educational events that would include any number of various animals (farm animals, to be precise).
As I also mentioned at the meeting last night, one of the original uses of The Common...or ANY common...was for the *common* use of all residents, including farmers and their livestock. Way back when, it wasn't *un*common { :) lol } to see a farmer bring his sheep, cows, or horse(s) to a common to graze on the grasses there, while he took care of business at the stores surrounding the *common.*
By restricting animals....PERIOD...from The Common, we are missing a key part of the spirit of The Common, and part of it's original conveniences. We (the Agricultural Committee) are not looking for it to be for grazing...that'ld be too much these days...but, for the purposes of education, entertainment, and commerce, we endorse the lifting of the ban, with a reasonable new by-law that would allow for such use.
James Walsh III
1:52 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
As Parks Director Phil Johnson ALSO mentioned last night, which was a key part of his comments about the issue...it is by far the HUMAN traffic that has contributed the MOST damage to the grounds on The Common...not the animals. His motivation for making a comment about shutting down The Common, and restricting access to it, was to keep the *human* factor to a minimum, and allow the grass to grow. And I made a point of this when I spoke, as well...that the primary complaint was not about what the animals left behind right now, but from the damage that the human foot trafic does to the Common. The solution to this is just as undesirable as the damage...shutting it down for a season or two, and not allowing people to use it! And if we did this, then where will we stop? The Common is for everyone in Town. If we start saying when people can or can't walk around The Common, then we might as well do away with it completely, and really rework the road ways at the Center and whipe it out.
There is a reasonable solution to this, and The Agricultural Committee promotes the drive to find it.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: The Agricultural Committee will be holding it's next meeting on Tuesday, February 28th, at 7PM, in Conference Room B, in the Municipal Center...30 Providence Rd. Part of the meeting will be a workshop with Michael Urban and other members of the Farmers' Market in order to come up with a reasonable by-law on this issue. We will also be discussing our Chicken By-Law.
Sandy Quadros Bowles
2:44 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Jim, thanks for the update, I plan to be there Tuesday! Everything you say about last night's meeting was correct, and the Ag Commission wasn't overlooked intentionally. There were just SO many things being said, and only so much space to print it. But I plan to keep covering this, including Tuesday's meeting.
James Walsh III
3:27 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I appreciate it, Sandy. I can understand the difficulty of getting the conversation well represented in print...it was a good debate last night over this issue. I just wanted to make sure, either in print, or comment (as I did), that the Ag Com's presence and input last night was noted {covered by the comments, so no problem :) }. Key reason being, this kind of issue is exactly what we are in existance for...supporting agricultural issues that might arise in town, and educating the public on such issues. An issue like *Animals on The Common* is like our *bread and butter,* in a way. lol It's one aspect of what our charge directs us to lead in.
We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday! Spread the word to others you know...time is getting short to get an article in for May's Town Meeting, but this does seem to be an issue that people do have some passion for in Town. The more people we have who contribute their opinions to a possibe article, the more likely it will be resolved in May.
Thank you again!
Mell Gibson
9:32 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
I would love for the Common to allow animals for events and education. I also think that people should be able to walk there dogs on the Common. (I think they allready do, but can get in trouble) Grass is hard to keep with anykind of trafific and I dont know how much sun the common gets with the big trees. I know there is a solution and trust the Ag Com to give the best recommondations. The common is not just to look at, its to use and enjoy as a community.