Creative use of town-owned land
I’ve been doing research for a Gazette column on creative uses of town own land. I’m thinking of things like community gardens, sustainable farming, education, and other things – many of which are already being done by the Soule Homestead.
I’d welcome any thoughts you have on this topic. I’m looking for ways that Massachusetts towns can do something constructive with their land that might benefit the public and might even help defray some of the cost of maintaining the land.
On a partially related topic, this email came in today from the Soule Homestead. It was asking for people to print out and post this flyer about the upcoming Massachusetts Organic Gardening Workshop Day.
Themocracy
I’ve heard “community garden” mentioned.
In a nearby town there is a community garden that is tended by volunteers and the vegetables are sold at a stand on the site. The money is either donated to a local charity, or given to a local church to help families in need. Some of the harvest is also distributed to needy families.
Wouldn’t something like that be nice?
A community garden would be wonderful.
But then the BOS would feel the need to regulate it. The next thing you know, you’re appearing before the BOS with Spataro grilling you relentlessly about how much manure you use.
By god if there’s gonna be any manure spread in town, the BOS wants in on it!
As a dog owner, I’d love to see a dog park.
I remember hearing that Glenn Marshall wanted to build a museum. In fact, when some of our Get the Facts! signs were taken off lawns after the TMFH, supposedly they were to be used as part of an ironic exhibit detailing the brief and ineffective efforts to stop his beloved mega casino and Wampanoag empire. I therefore vote for an educational Glenn Marshall museum on town-owned land.
And speaking of manure, some towns set aside land for people to bring lawn scraps, leaves, etc. This is used to create community compost (mmm… black gold) that residents can have free for gardens and landscaping. We had one here in Bridgewater for awhile but not sure what happened to it.
During the two world wars there were what were called “victory gardens”. My parents had one. It was a good idea then and is now. Not everybody can have a backyard vegetable garden.
These served not only to help sustain the war effort, but, to quote Wikipedia they served to reduce the pressure on the public food supply brought on by the war effort. In addition to indirectly aiding the war effort these gardens were also considered a civil “morale booster” — in that gardeners could feel empowered by their contribution of labor and rewarded by the produce grown. Making victory gardens became a part of daily life on the home front.
In an economic crisis why shouldn’t the town help out by allocating some town land for community gardens?
As for the irrigation question raised on bogo’s blog, I am sure members of our agriculture commission and even the Plymouth County Conservation District would help with this. I don’t see tapping into the town’s treated drinking water supply.
We are lucky enough to have an ample aquifer, and keep in mind that much irrigation water goes back into the water supply.
Also, there are new drought resistant varieties of many vegetables.
Hal
As a little kid owner, I’d love to see an updated kid park. Volunteers have built some very creative, structurally sound playgrounds in other towns. I often pass a daycare on rt. 28 where toddlers are huddled 6 to a cart at the edge of a parking lot watching traffic, even in cold weather. This really bothers me.
I’m a little kid owner as well but sadly I lost the manual – can I have a copy of yours?
There are community gardens in Boston where people do not have backyards to garden in.
They are lots divided into smaller ones and each gardener can cultivate what they want on their own little plot of land. These little gardens are like an oasis among the hustle and bustle of the city. Some people grow veggies, some grow flowers, and I’ve seen some that just grow grass and put a bench or chairs there just to sit and relax.
If Middleboro did something like that, the town could rent out the plots to prospective gardeners for a small affordable annual fee. The funds could be used to offset any town expense involved.
A new tradition could start in town with an annual harvest competition. Who grew the best flowers, or the biggest squash, or the most carrots.
Fresh local produce could be provided for needy families in the area through local food pantries. Fresh flowers could brighten everybody’s day at the COA or Oak Hill.
BOS would not be involved in all community gardens. It depends who has jurisdiction over certain parcels of public land in any town.
They do not have jurisdiction over every parcel in Middleboro.
You have no idea of the diamonds this town has for usuage of parks, recreation and gardening.
They are there for conservation, community, agricultural purposes, exercise, socializing, hunting, fishing, you name it, they are there.
All this gardening talk got me thinking. Surely there must be something else town owed land could be used for.
I got this idea, it may sound wacky to some, but no more wacky than putting a mega resort casino in town.
What if Middleboro set out to become a center of "green technology"? What about using some town land to develop wind and solar farms. By producing our own energy maybe our electric rates with Middleboro G&E would be reduced.
Now this idea gets even wackier.
What if some town land was used for hydroponic farming? A one acre hydroponic farm has a significanly higher yield than a one acre traditional farm. I know this sounds crazy, but consider the possiblities.
The town could open a green technology education center. School students could come and learn all about hydroponic farming, wind and solar energy, other alternative energy sources, and evironmentally conscious contruction and land development.
Something like that would provide kids with a background to get good jobs, rather than being a blackjack dealer.
The town could solicit companies at the forefront of green technology development to move here. That would bring more jobs to the area.
I said it sounded wacky, but wouldn't it be great if we as a town set that kind of goal for ourselves and totally change the direction we're heading in?
When Middleboro was mentioned in the papers or on TV it would be something positive rather than in conjunction with a sleazy casino.
I know this all sounds crazy and by now whoever is reading this must think I've gone over the edge. But I say if you're gonna dream, then dream big. Its time to shake things up in Middleboro. We're going nowhere with the status quo.
Wacky?
Middleboro is on the low-end for wind to be feasible but your general point is well taken.
Middleboro, and many other towns, has a very short view. We scramble to tackle today’s budget without much thought toward tomorrow’s. We preserve openspace in a slapdash manner rather than through some master plan.
Even though I’m voting for Steven’s, I liked Rullo’s idea on candidate’s night to but 3-5% of our revenue into a longterm stabilization fund.
Back to wind for a moment. Even if wind wasn’t perfectly viable here, a sufficiently high tower might crank out a little juice while providing the sort of green tech incentive you’re talking about.
But generally, I like the “dream big” and the idea of promoting education, sustainable living, encouraging the best in us instead of preying on the worst.
Anything green is not wacky at all.
It is a matter of survival for each of us.
That is why the green committee has been formed and I think there are two seats remaining to be filled.
suggestions have been to put wind towers on Barden Hill for one.
Come on, join the group and start sending your ideas out there.
send a copy to BOS,cc to town manager and to Jane lopes (documentation) is important and anyone else you can think of.
Remember, the only way you can fail is by not trying at all.
we need to simplify, we need to go back in time and then move forward with the concepts and attach them to technology of sort.
Just think of how great it would be if each and everyone of us and the town was as self sufficient as possible.
On another note, I have a question.
Is it legal in Massachusetts to live in a house without running water, electricity, heat, inside bathroom? If it is not, than, why can power companies and water entities have so much power and clout in a community? In trying times such as now, how many people can end up on the street in due time because they can not afford their utilities forced upon them by the laws?
The attorney general has great round table forums in each area of the state for green and for resources. Just go on MA.Gov and attorney General.