A. Peter did not call Temple regarding renewable energy tax exemption.  He [...]]]> MEETING SPECIFICS

Where / When	Temple, NH, 9:00am to 3:00pm
Facilitation	Lyra
Notetakers	Peter
Participating	Bruce, Betta, Barbara, Mark

AGENDA

1. Carry over questions and tasks
2. Next step priorities
3. July 2nd meeting plan

I. Carry over Questions and Tasks

A. Peter did not call Temple regarding renewable energy tax exemption.  He will do so before the next meeting

B. Word smithing group that includes BA, BR, L & M will prepare a general high level statement of the vision and purpose of the ecovillage/farm/education initiative.  It will be high-level wording that is not get into the details of how, where, etc.

Next Steps:

• People need to get their input to Mark by Tue Jun 21. 
• He will then blend people’s input together and email language to the group by June 24^th.
• The group will then finalize it at the next meeting.

C. Alternatives to Bank Financing

BE, BR, P have been doing some research. 
BE contacted Habib Aminipour who says that it is easy to get financing when people only own their home and not the land underneath it. 
Next Steps:

• BE will coordinate a meeting with L, M and him to happen before the next meeting to learn more.
• BR did some research regarding the LLC versus LEC (Limited Equity Cooperative).  He found that Ithaca residents don’t own their houselots.  He found that in some cases residents have challenges getting mortgages.
• PE called John Clausen but was not able to talk to him directly, John indicated in a message that he does not know much himself, but would refer PE to others.

D. July 23^rd Membership Meeting

BE & L met to discuss the plan for this event and decided that it would be “advertised” as an early stage outreach meeting.
The group discussed the purpose of the meeting and decided that:
We are seeking people who are networkers / connectors; aligned with our vision; and are ready at this early stage to offer energy, equity, and experience.
The meeting will be from 2PM – 4PM without a meal and will by RSVP and limited to 20-24 people

Next Steps:

• BA, BE & L will plan the event.  They met at lunch and set a time for a conference call on June 19.

E. Review of “Green Light” Contingencies

The group reviewed agreements from the prior meeting regarding information / milestones that need to be in place for the project to go forward:

• Conceptual land use plan
• Agreement about the land and building ownership model
• Minimum level of equity member households (e.g. 10 households )
• Financial pro forma showing preliminary viability
• Timeline
• Permits for an acceptable number of households

F. Kantner’s Need for Land Use & Protection

BA and BR offered insight into their thinking process and discussions about Central Derbyshire (CD), the land and building around their home.  They see two elements for the issue.  First, is there a real interest in the buildings there.  Second, their desire to stay in the house and their desire for quiet in the next few years.

They see that the CD area is best suited for becoming an educational center versus the core of an ecovillage neighborhood.  And they do not believe CD and the south knoll should be, or are suitable for, residential development.

BR intends to put effort into launching Common Nature in the coming time, which would be based in CD and south area.

They see that the existing buildings present both limitations and possibilities for use in an ecovillage.

They also expressed the desire to have knowledge and input regarding the density and housing style of the ecovillage, in addition to regarding its location.

General group discussion followed their presentation, in which the following thoughts were expressed:

• Desire and need for more clarity and finding common understanding and input for a conceptual land use plan
• The Kantners see themselves continuing to own and be responsible for the buildings of CD
• Is project becoming two distinct elements – the ecovillage initiative and the Kantners remaining at CD and potentially developing a education/retreat center?

II.Carry over Questions and Tasks

A. Overall Land Plan

The group had a round-robin sharing of their feelings and needs for land use, housing and unity of the site.

• BR: hesitation, concern about what others are thinking, desire for clarity about is moving forward
• M: generally positive and trusting the process of conversation, and believes in the need for a strong circle
• P: open to multiple visions of land use; fear about potential for isolation on the site from broader community and the years it would take to establish a vibrant community on the land
• BA: receptive and want more information; needing professional input on the land use plan, especially regarding the uses of CD
• BE: need to get to know the land both personally and professionally, desire for more information to address feelings of confusion, and need for diversity of land use, people and buildings
• L: wants to know the parameters and to be respectful of the Kantners’needs, desire for diversity regarding land planning options, wanting more information, and feels hopeful when using a step by step approach

BR offered more thoughts regarding the role of an education center in the overall plan.  He envisions one possible scenario where the whole site is owned by a group of shareholders, for example a Homeowners Association.  Common Nature would be a shareholder for the portion of the site and buildings reserved for the education and retreat center.  He also recognizes he’s constraints in manifesting Common Nature in terms of time, energy and age, however really wants to give it a chance.

BR noted that the Kantners are tied to the current status of the DOJ properties and urgency to get help sharing the load and changing their relation to DOJ.  He expressed an awareness that the two groups (Kantners and Odonata) have different approaches.  In particular, P & L are moving in a stepwise manner identifying contingencies and decision milestones based on prior experience. While the Kantners have been seeking a go ahead that is more about “ let’s all move on the land and figure it out.”

Next Steps: Get a Site Assessment from David Jacke or an associate

• The purpose of the site assessment would be to get expert opinion on best sites for ecovillage, soils, hydrology, perc, slope, solar, conservation, farming, etc.
• L will contact David to discuss scope and cost and his availability.  She’ll inquire about the cost of verbal evaluation versus a written one.
• She will get his available dates and circulate that to the group to arrange a meeting.
• BR will contact Temple planning board informally to learn more about what they would want or prefer for an initial submittal for a planned residential development permit application.
• P will forward questions to BR next week regarding wanted from from the planning board.

III. Next Meeting – July 2^nd Derbyshire Farm

Facilitator: Bruce

Time Keeper: Lyra

Note Taker: Mark

ACTION ITEMS:

P: call Temple town officials to learn if they have adopted the tax exemption for renewable

P: contact Rob Wills to learn about NH incentives and to get available dates and cost for him to do a solar assessment of DOJ.

P: contact John Clausen to get referrals to others knowledgeable about land ownership models.

All: get their input to Mark by Tue Jun 21 regarding project description for public distribution.

M: blend people’s input together and email language to the group by June 24th.

BE: coordinate meeting with Habib with L & M.

BA, BE & L: conference call to plan the membership event.

L: contact David to discuss scope and cost and his availability.  Inquire about the cost of verbal evaluation versus a written one. Get his available dates and circulate that to the group to arrange a meeting.

BR: contact Temple planning board informally to learn more about what they would want or prefer for an initial submittal for a planned residential development permit application.

P: forward questions to BR next week regarding information wanted from the planning board.