HALLOWELL — After more than 30 people voiced their opinions Monday night at City Hall about the proposal to move the farmers market in Hallowell to Vaughan Field Park, one thing is certain. The City Council has some work to do.
Ben Marcus has managed the Hallowell Farmers Market for five years and has suggested moving it from its current day, time and location in Granite City Park to the park off Lincoln and Second streets. Last year, the market operated Tuesday evenings from 4 to 8 p.m. Marcus wants to move it to Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., which he said would be more convenient for everybody.
Marcus spoke first at the neighborhood meeting moderated by Councilor Diano Circo and provided his vision for the market. He said the park would provide more space for vendors and the ability for the market to grow and said the park is a more family-friendly place than a dusty parking lot. Marcus would like to use the 2016 season as a test before committing full-time to the Vaughan Field location so that data could be gathered about the impact the change had on the neighborhood and the market.
“The first time I visited (Vaughan Field Park), I immediately envisioned the farmers market,” Marcus said. “And I didn’t foresee any problems, and I cannot foresee a negative impact.”
But numerous people spoke out against his plan, including Lisa Rigoulot, who lives on Lincoln Street and said she’s the closest abutter to the park. She is concerned about parking, safety and the ability of emergency vehicles to get to the park, if needed. Rigoulot also believes Marcus has not provided enough details about his plan.
“There’s been conflicting information about why the move is asked for and what the actual plan is,” Rigoulot said. “There hasn’t been a detailed plan, and there are other alternatives. The City Council owes it to everyone to review the plan before making a quick decision.”
Ruth LaChance, president of the Hallowell Board of Trade, also vehemently opposes the plan and believes moving a business away from downtown is a huge problem.
“I don’t see it as a successful business venture,” said LaChance, who owns Boynton’s Market on Water Street. “I’ve heard promises before about keeping our green space, and they haven’t always been kept.”
People supporting Marcus’ proposal argued that moving the farmers market to the park would be a way to enhance the park and enhance the sense of community it would bring. Marella Averill, who lives near the park on Lincoln Street with her family, said the park is a community gathering place that doesn’t really exist anywhere else in Hallowell.
“I think having that green space and public space used as much as possible is what protects that park,” Averill said. “The market seems like a great, logical use for that space.”
But former Hallowell Mayor Bob Stubbs said the park was built as a playground and not as a commercial site. Others voiced their displeasure about changing the zoning of the park from a residential zone to a commercial zone. Mary Moody, who has lived on Lincoln Street for years, and Carolyn Manson also worried about rezoning.
“I just want to make sure our neighborhood stays a neighborhood,” Moody said. “We like that quality of life.”
Councilor Phil Lindley said the Council has the ability to make an emergency declaration in order to allow the market to move to the park without going through the months-long process an ordinance change sometimes takes. He thinks the move is a great idea and would be in keeping with the vision people had when the park was created. LaChance said she hopes the Council follows the same steps as they would for any other proposed change in a city’s ordinance.
People opposing the proposal were also concerned about increased traffic and the safety of children who play in the area, especially on the playground. Sandra Stubbs said she is a big supporter of the farmers market but wouldn’t go up Lincoln Street because of all the children. She said it’s too dangerous.
“It is the perfect playground because it’s not on a busy street, so why make it one?” Bob Stubbs said. “God help you if a little kid gets mowed down by one of these cars going up there to shop.”
Rani Sheaffer said she went door-to-door and spoke to 40 people about the plan, and she said the majority of them were in favor of the move. Tessa Vellani, who is working with Marcus on making the market more vibrant, said farmers markets bring nothing but good to a community.
“I cannot believe we are even fighting about this,” Vellani said.
Marcus, who owns Sheepscot Valley General Store and Farm in Whitefield, said Hallowell has always had a unique standing in the capital area and is a town that deserves a great farmers market. He thinks Vaughan Field Park is the place for it.
“The park has a magnetic energy to it, and it is what the personality of a farmers market should be,” Marcus said. “The park is such a nice place to be.”
Interim City Manager Maureen AuCoin said there is no procedure on the city’s books to allow for a trial-run variance to the ordinance, so it is unclear what steps the Council can take if Marcus is to have the market in Vaughan Field Park this summer.
Monday night’s meeting was organized after Marcus first discussed moving the market during February’s Council meeting, and Mayor Mark Walker, who is out of town, indicated the proposal will be on the agenda at the next Council meeting April 11.
Jason Pafundi — 621-5663
Twitter: @jasonpafundiKJ
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