THOUSANDS Show Support for the Coventry Regional Farmers' Market
- Adding a voice of support for the Coventry Regional Farmers Markets and the farmers, producers, and artisans that depend on this regional food hub for their incomes,
- Formally requesting that all necessary permits, zoning approvals, traffic studies, and other safety precautions are expedited as quickly and as fairly as possible to ensure that planning for the 2012 Farmers Market season can proceed,
- Speaking on the citizens’ behalf to let the State of Connecticut know how very valuable the Coventry Regional Farmers Market is to you and to our local food and agriculture movements.
Here’s what some folks who signed the petition had to say.
Trudy Mitchell: Bolton, CT: “Every activity in CT that brings community together in such a positive way should continue unrestricted and unfettered. Additionally, such a great Farmers' Market in Coventry brings tourism into the area - all pluses for Connecticut's economic future and the people who live here.”
Cathy Mitchell: Coventry, CT: “The CRFM has added so much to our town. It brings in much needed business as well as tourism dollars. We own the Daniel Rust House B&B & nearly all our guests visit..and re-visit the market. It is a feather in this towns cap.”
Tricia Staley, Norwich, CT: “The Coventry Regional Farmers' Market reaches well beyond Coventry, both for vendors and consumers. From a financial policy perspective, if we are to fulfill Gov. Malloy's stated goal of keeping/creating jobs in Connecticut, here's an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that commitment. This is direct support for agriculture and small business -- local and regional. State agencies should be doing everything they can to make this easier, not harder and more costly.”
MaryLynne Boisvert, Bristol, CT: “I am one of the vendors and if the market does not run, I will lose 20% of my income.”
Stephen Gronda, Glen Cove, NY: “I am a former Nutmegger and lived in Coventry for several years. I am also an environmental professional, and a Planning Board member. Traffic studies are often filled with "Consultant Verbiage," such as:"While the roadway and intersection as presently situated are considered Failed, with minor lighting adjustments this situation can be improved." Hmmmm!. I regularly go to farmer's markets in NY and believe that positives of such a market so exceed any environmental issues arising out of its possible slight expansion that hindrance should be avoided.”
Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc, Elfers, FL: “PLEASE, PLEASE keep this wonderful venue, open. As a person who lives in an area where NOTHING hand-crafted, made with love, unique and even useful is welcomed or even considered, I can't tell you how much it means to me to visit places that do give such variety and wondrous offerings. I don't live anywhere near this market, but I can assure you, as surely as I'm sitting here typing this plea, that if I did, I'd not only visit, but also participate...”
Cheryll Moreau: Coventry, CT: “I have been attending the Farmers Market since its beginning and have only seen the benefits it has given to this area and to our town and local residence. If there has never been a need for a traffic study before why now? Who's fingers are in this one and don't blame it on a barn because a barn is not what would bring more traffic. Why does it seem every time something good and wholesome comes along from someone’s hard work there is always someone else that wants to throw a road block in the way. Lets preserve this great event and do everything we can to see it last for a great many years to come. Many Thanks to the Farmers Market Committee!”
PUBLIC Planning & Zoning Meeting on January 16th, 2012
The final public Planning & Zoning meeting to determine the fate of the Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market will be on Monday, January 16th at 7pm at the Coventry Town Hall Annex Building at 1712 Main Street in Coventry. Thousands have shown support for the Coventry Farmers’ Market by attending prior public meetings, sending letters of support, and signing the online petition to SAVE the Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market.
According to Winter Caplanson, Executive Director of the nonprofit Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market:
“I know that the hearing is still open... people can speak and information can be presented. They have not asked us for any new information. But after Monday, they cannot extend it any further without our permission. The hearing must be closed after Monday night which means no new information can be taken into consideration. They DO NOT have to vote to issue a special permit for the farmers’ market Monday night, though we hope they will. I think it's 65 days that they have to consider and discuss before they are required to render a decision. It is these continuous delays that will hurt our farmers and the market’s ability to proceed forward in Coventry.”
The Chronicle had some good info: In light of the fact that a full-scale state traffic study is excessive, State Traffic Commission (STC) Executive Director David A. Sawicki and Coventry Town Planner Eric Trott said information from the town’s traffic study could be incorporated into the state-mandated study and this could shorten the process. Sawicki said an initial review of the plans seems to indicate it is not likely the farmer’s market site would require the same level of work as there might be for a large development. He added, “There’s currently already a left-turn lane; that’s a plus for them.”
Why is this meeting happening?
Connecticut Landmarks, operators of the Nathan Hale Homestead, had given permission and encouragement for the Coventry Regional Farmers Market to enter the AFT Great Barn Give Away contest.
AFTER the win of this well-deserved award, Connecticut Landmarks sought to charge the farmers' market an annual rental fee for the barn. This and other proposed lease terms were well beyond what the farmers' market could afford, making it impossible to continue at Hale.
A supporter offered a spectacular piece of land for a new market location, but because plans drawn for the Planning & Zoning process include more than 200 parking spaces, the State of Connecticut State Traffic Commission will need to determine the impact of the market's relocation on highway traffic. This requires a $25,000 traffic study and an expected 6 months processing time before a permit for use can be obtained.
The Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market seeks simply to move its operations to a new, affordable location that offers a fair, long-term lease.
Meeting information:
PZC Special Meeting
Monday, January 16, 2012 at 7:00 PM
For continued discussion of the Coventry Regional Farmers Market special permit.
Location: Coventry Town Hall Annex Building
1712 Main Street, Coventry, CT 06238
Coventry Planning & Zonning Contact Information
Eric Trott, Director of Planning & Development etrott@coventryct.org
Bonnie Potocki, Zoning Enforcement Officer bpotocki@coventryct.org
Todd Penney, Town Engineer/Inland Wetlands Agent tpenney@coventryct.org
Brenda Bennett, Land Use Permit Technician bbennett@coventryct.org
