Southwick Agricultural Commission Plans Open Farm Day Amid Budget Talks

Overview: In a recent meeting of the Southwick Agricultural Commission, discussions focused on the upcoming Open Farm Day, budget allocations for the fiscal year, and the preservation of a historically significant barn. The commission grappled with the logistics of Open Farm Day, including the need for police escorts, volunteer coordination, and the distribution of candy and necklaces with animal charms as visitor incentives. Budgetary concerns were also at the forefront, with the commission debating how to effectively use funds before the end of the fiscal year and presenting their budget to the finance committee and select board. The preservation of a barn recently acquired by the federal government was also a topic of concern, with discussions about its historical importance and potential demolition.

Southwick Planning Board Tackles Non-Conforming Structures and Campground Regulations

Overview: The Southwick Planning Board meeting on March 12, 2024, was marked by in-depth discussions on proposed changes to zoning regulations, particularly focusing on non-conforming structures and lots, as well as detailed deliberations on a draft commercial recreation bylaw amendment impacting the South L Street Campground. The proposed changes to non-conforming structures included extending the completion timeframe for reconstruction after a catastrophe and allowing for changes in the structure’s footprint subject to planning board review. The board also debated the implications of allowing non-conforming uses or structures to revert to prior non-conforming status. Additionally, the meeting addressed the need for flexibility in lot sizes and density for housing development and considered the master plan’s incorporation into zoning regulations.