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SPENCER – During the most recent Board of Selectmen’s meeting, three residents suggested the possibility of Spencer developing a community garden.
Linda Grames spoke about the benefits of such a project, saying it builds relationships “lasting beyond the growing season.”
Grames noted that there is a student at David Prouty High School who is interested in a community garden as a senior project.
Grames noted a community garden would help improve Spencer’s image, give people a place to go and provide value—for both physical and emotional health.
“Gardening is a physical and emotional thing,” Grames said. “I’m a happier person when I’m out there,” (in her own garden).
Rachel Faugno said they had looked at other towns that had community gardens, including Holden. She noted Holden 15 years ago began the process of such a project and spent five years clearing an empty lot. As the garden was partially funded by the town through its public works department, the initiative had to be approved by Town Meeting.
Every year, Holden has a waiting list of community members eager to join the garden.
Faugno said it is easier to get grants when it is strictly volunteer-run. She noted it would not be an overnight process, but rather would involve assessing the interest of the public, getting people to work on it, soil testing, acquiring seed money and grants and other efforts.
Faugno envisions holding a few events and fundraisers to one day have what she called, “a wonderful resource for the entire community.”
Linda Grames noted that Town Administrator Jeff Bridges had provided them with a list of 62 town properties, but said they are not what is needed.
Grames said the land must be in a sunny location for “garden success,” and easy for people to access, even by walking. It should also have water or a city line to hook in. The water would be paid for by fees for participants.
She said they would like 46-48 Chestnut Street as a spot and envision 40% of the front part of a .4-acre lot be used for 25 raised beds in a 20 foot by 10-foot area with walking paths between them. The other 60% of the back lot would have a meeting spot, picnic table, trees and possibly a children’s garden.
When Selectman Ralph Hicks noted the spot used to have a supermarket, Grames added that it burned down and children lost their lives.
“We could have a memorial to those kids,” she suggested.
Further, she said the location is not far from low-income housing, the senior center and high school.
The residents asked selectmen to postpone a planned sale of the area to give them time to canvas the neighborhood and form a subcommittee to work on the project.
Selectmen: Town needs parking spaces
Although selectmen said they are in favor of a community garden, members noted a building at Temple/Chestnut Streets is being re-developed into apartments and parking space is needed.
Selectman Gary Woodbury said that streets like Chestnut, Church and Prospect do not have parking and it is a matter of public safety, during snow plowing, for example, to keep streets “clear, safe and passable.”
Hicks said he thought a community garden is a “tremendous idea,” but they had to find an adequate location.
Chair Jared Grigg asked about a spot at O’Gara Park that abuts a rail trail, while Woodbury suggested the residents get in touch with former Town Clerk Laura Torti, who worked on the idea for two years.
Grigg said a first step would be for the three residents to meet with Bridges to find a location.
Bridges added, “I’m sure we can find a parcel if we look hard enough.”
Later in the meeting, the board talked about upcoming tax auctions for properties including on Chestnut Street. Members decided they should have a workshop to talk about what else could be auctioned off from the administrator’s list of 62 sites.
