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 was certain. The City Council has some work to do.

Ben Marcus, who has managed the Hallowell Farmers Market for five years, has suggested moving it from its current location in Granite City Park to the park off Lincoln and Second streets. He also wants to change day and time of operation. Last year, the market operated Tuesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. Marcus wants to move it to Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., which he said would be more convenient for everybody.

John Strieff sets up the 3 Level Farm booth for the Hallowell Farmers Market at Granite City Park in Hallowell. Organizers are proposing to move the market to Vaughan Field Park. Staff file photo by Joe Phelan

Marcus spoke first at the neighborhood meeting moderated by Councilor Diano Circo. He said the park off Lincoln and Second streets would provide more space for vendors and enable the market to grow. He also said the park is a more family-friendly place. 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 it 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 the sense of community. Marella Averill, who lives near the park on Lincoln Street, 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 monthslong 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.

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 can be contacted at 621-5663 or at:

jpafundi@centralmaine.com

Twitter: jasonpafundiKJ

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