Washington/Rutland Garden Spring
Meeting

May 4, 2009

South End Community Health Center

Present:

Joe Cambone Sharon Pressly-Fiero David
Pimenta David Russek

Beverly Sky Jim Hood Niki Janus Linda
Christman

Ellen Wells Stan Sclaroff Jack Gantos Chris
Grace

Deborah Benson Fred Marx Dan LaBarre Kevin
James

Dana Berg Anna Thai-Reno Stephan Smith

At 6:30 PM Joe Cambone, who was acting
moderator, called the meeting to order. Gardeners introduced themselves.
Joe gave a review of the agenda and utilizing the plot plan of the garden,
showed the gardens available for assignment and those with questionable
status.

1. Plots
   assignment:

Jim Hood opted to switch from plot
V to plot T.

Beverly Sky asked to share her
plot S. It was agreed to split her plot into 2 and the carved out half
offered to a new gardener on the list. Beverly Sky paid the complete
fee and will be reimbursed for half by the new gardener.

There was considerable discussion
regarding plot G previously assigned to Greg Saldano. Greg has moved
out of state for an unidentified period of time and sub-assigned his
garden to a neighbor Kevin James. Kevin has significantly planted the
garden. Joe presented options: Immediate removal of plot from
Kevin, allow him use of plot for this year only, grandfather his use
of the plot. Deb Benson made a motion that the plot assignment
be grandfathered and Kevin be allowed the use of the plot going forward.
Jack Gantos seconded the motion. The motion was tabled for further discussion
regarding the impact on people waiting for a plot and family issues.
After discussion, Sharon made a motion that the new board be charged
with developing a new policy or amending a present policy to prevent
the assignment of a plot except through the use of the waiting list.
Stan seconded it. It passed unanimously.

Deb’s motion to grandfather plot
G as an exception was voted upon and passed unanimously.

2. Interim Board Discussion:

Joe presented a synopsis of the
decision of the task force that met on April 27, 2009. His comments
include the following:

1. Board
of Gardeners to be composed of five members;

2. Be
formally nominated and elected at the meeting of May 4^th,
2009;

3. Have
one chair, elected by the interim Board members;

4. Will be charged by the membership with managing
seven garden functions, with the volunteer participation
of garden members. These functions include the following:

a. Membership and orientation;

b. Facilities and maintenance;

c. Finance;

d. Communication;

e. Volunteer coordination;

f. Community liaison/secretarial;

g. Development of “rules” or “by-laws” of
the garden

5. Will
commit to presenting for a full-membership vote at the fall meeting;

a. the new “rules” or “by-laws” of the garden;
and

b. a slate of nominees for a standing Board of Gardeners

Questions were raised as to whether the interim board was also responsible
for the on-going management of the garden for this year. Joe said yes
the BOG (Board of Gardeners) was responsible along with committees for
management and decision making. The board was encouraged to use e mail,
volunteers and solicit feedback in its management. Sharon commented
that the board should be comprised of both “legacy” and new gardeners.
Issues raised were enforcement, improved communication of rules and
policies, interaction among gardeners, and input by gardeners to the
BOG.

Joe then asked for nominations for
the board. Sharon Pressly-Fiero had put her name in nomination and informed
the group of her experience in non-profit organizations. David P. nominated
Linda Christman who declined due to her business travel. Linda nominated
Niki Janus who agreed to participate. Jim Hood nominated David Pimenta
who agreed to participate. Nominations were made of Deborah Benson,
Fred Marx, Jim Hood, David Russek, Dan LaBarre, Jack Gantos, and Chris
Grace who all declined because of time constraints but agreed to assist
the board. David Thai-Reno, nominated his wife Anna but could not commit
her acceptance that evening, a necessary component. Stephan Smith agreed
to participate with the explanation that he was not great at administration
but could use his talents as a web developer to create a web site designed
to enhance on line communication among the gardeners. Joe was nominated
by acclimation of gardeners and agreed to participate on the interim
board.

The slate of Joe Cambone, Sharon
Pressly-Fierro, Niki Janus, Stephan Smith and David Pimenta was put
to a vote and unanimously approved.

3. Treasurer’s report:

The balance of funds in the treasury
is $7,682.00. From that amount $5,000.00 has been committed for payment
of the balance of the irrigation project. This leaves a balance of approximately
$2,700.00 before this year’s receipts.

4. Gardener’s Concerns and
   Issues:

Joe opened the meeting for input
as to issues or concerns that the board should address. Joe mentioned
issues previously brought up by others:

1. Ground-rules in the garden

9. Smoking

ii. Dogs

iii. Visitors?

iv. Gate
policy?

v. BBQ?

vi. Alcohol?

vii. Other?

b. Sharing your plot?

c. “Legacy” gardens and gardeners

d. Harvest Share – do we continue?

e. Herb plot – do we convert to a small plot for
a gardener?

f. Composting – what is our system?

g. Do we plant a tree?

Issues
raised by gardeners at the meeting include the following:

Representation
at SELROSLT Meetings

Replacing
railroad ties

Plant
sale

Signage
within garden

History
of garden posted on Rutland St. side bulletin board

Grading
of rear area near affecting retaining wall

Snow
Removal (Fred Marx is working on issue)

Trash
removal by gardeners

Rutland
Street Tree Wells

Redo
memorial plaque in Gazebo

Donation
of Plants to outside groups (Beverly Sky)

Calendar/Task
List.

Garden
Security/Liaison with local police

Name
Change for Garden

Honor
for Eleanor Strong and/or Rob Cleary

Garden/Community
relations

Posting
or dissemination of Interim Information

5. Closing, Payment of Fees

With no further issues, Joe closed
the meeting. David Pimenta collected the registration forms, checks
and issued SELROSLT receipts.