September 2017 Minutes

ECWHDC MEETING MINUTES
Sept. 5, 2017

In attendance: 32
Meeting opened @ 7:30 p.m.
Glory Days Restaurant, Rt. 40, Ellicott City

A. President Report
Sue re-introduced herself and greeted the crowd.

China Williams, a candidate for County Council district 5 was introduced, as she will be talking about CB60.

June Minutes were approved.

Next year’s picnic will be in July and we will try to secure a pavilion closer to Ellicott City/Western Howard.

Sue introduced the elected officials in the room, including Mary Kay Sigaty, Council County District 4, who will also speak on CB60.

Natalie Zeigler also announced that she is considering becoming a candidate for State Delegate in 9A.

B. Treasurer's report – Rich Corkran - Income is $355; expenses are $256.32. Balance is $2,059.23. We broke even on the August picnic.

C. Program: Guest speaker: China Williams, candidate for County Council District 5 spoke about her concerns regarding CB60 – the Natural Wood Waste Recycling (NWWR) issue. It’s very controversial. The precursor is CB20. County Executive Alan Kittleman has flip-flopped on support of CB60 and is currently in support.

She supports giving farmer’s economic diversity but concerned about the health and safety of the community including large truck traffic, air and water pollution, and natural combustion fires. She sides with the Dayton Preservation Society that recommends amendments the bill, including the covering of mulch piles.

Mary Kay Sigaty – Council Council District 4 – spoke in support of CB60. She says we are not in opposition to each other but in a circle – we have different perspectives – we need to combine community needs and farmers’ needs.

The history – mulching is allowed with certain restrictions. But, there is nothing in zoning regulations about composting. Now we need to discuss limits.

In 2014, there was a task force that produced a majority and minority report. CB60 does not allow industrial mulching except at county landfill. It will allow it as a farming business but not on county or state agricultural preservations unless it’s an accessory to farming.

There was a Mother’s Day mulch fire in Carroll County that was studied by our task force.

Two members from the Task Force also spoke on the specifics of the bill:
One is an organic farmer in Woodbine, Keith Ohlinger. His farm operates on compost and mulch. He needs tree mulch from another farm to produce compost to work his farm.

Discussion ensued about the testing of water and soil. Keith tests his water every year and tests his soil for manganese as required by Dept. of Agriculture as part of his plan.

Discussion ensued. Questions came up about the benefits of passing this bill, as well as the building of residences close to farms. Mary Kay says this is all part of communities being sustainable.

This will be second hearing on the bill at the Council Council meeting, Monday, Sept. 11, starting at 6:00 p.m. It is the second item on the agenda. Meeting expected to run long.

D. Old and New Business
N/A

The meeting adjourned at 9:00

Respectfully submitted by Lisa B. Coster, secretary