On Wednesday, the Commissioners of St. Michaels voted 3-2 to permit the St. Michaels farmers market to open in Muskrat Park on April 20th and 27th. After that, the farmers market will move to the municipal parking lot behind the Medicine Shoppe on Talbot St. until construction in the park is completed later in the season. The Commissioners also voted 3-2 to permit the farmers market to operate in Muskrat Park during the 2014 season.
Two weeks ago, the Commissioners asked the market managers to identify possible alternate locations to hold their Saturday morning market this season, so that Muskrat Park can close for construction this summer.
Market Manager Carol Bean and FRESHFARM Co-Executive Director Ann Yonkers presented the results of their findings on Wednesday, and asked to be permitted to operate in the parking lot of Muskrat Park during the season. They provided a drawing showing how the market vendors could set up in the parking lot, and not interfere with park construction.
Carol Bean shared a list of the locations that were explored as possible market sites, and identified proximity to the town center as a primary need to prevent disruption to the market. Concern that the market could become marginalized if moved drove the market’s selection of Muskrat Park’s parking lot as the best alternative. Their second choice was the municipal parking lot behind the Medicine Shoppe – nearest to the town center and the market’s location for the past 12 years.
“Operating in the park’s parking lot is a fair compromise,” offered Yonkers. “We’ve worked around construction in the past, and we operate in parking lots all the time in Annapolis and DC. It’s not a problem for us to run a safe market in a parking lot with construction nearby, we do it all the time”, she said.
Commissioner Ann Borders cited safety concerns as the reason why she wouldn’t consider the market’s proposal. “Protecting citizens has to be the highest priority”, she said.
Commissioner Joanne Clark proposed that the farmers market be allowed to open the market on April 20th in their regular location inside of Muskrat Park, and have an opportunity to tell their customers that they’ll be moving. She also proposed that the town show support and assist the market by providing new directional signage for the market. Clark’s motion was seconded by Commissioner Joyce Harrod, and supported by Commissioner Mike Vlahovich. Commissioners Borders and Tad duPont voted against the measure.
The market will be permitted to return to Muskrat Park sometime in late August or September upon receipt of written support by the town’s Public Works Department and the landscaper hired to install the sod in the Park.
In a surprising effort to show support for the farmers market and to prove that the town isn’t trying to displace the market completely from Muskrat Park, Commissioner Vlahovich proposed that the market’s 2013 permit application be accepted for the 2014 season. In spite of objection from Commissioner duPont, who said that the topic needs discussion, the measure passed 3 – 2. Both Commissioners duPont and Borders voted against the proposal.
The town anticipates construction on Muskrat Park to begin in late April. The project includes burying electric wires, adding new sod and an irrigation system to the park. The goal is to complete this work in time for the August War of 1812 celebration. The Commissioners voted to approve using funds from the electric utility fund to cover costs for the project beyond grant support. Commissioner Clark voted to use funds from prior year reserves instead of the electric utility fund for the project.
Town Manager Jean Weisman gave an update on the plans for the town’s War of 1812 celebration on August 10 – 11, 2013. Commissioner Ann Borders has led a volunteer committee that includes some dozen citizens who meet twice monthly to plan the event, which will include a parade, speakers, skipjack rides, cannon blasts, commemorative book sales, children’s activities, re-enactors, walking tours and lanterns in the trees at dusk. The event will steer visitors toward town shops and restaurants.
In other business, the Commissioners introduced Ordinance #440 allowing 8”x8” QR codes to be installed into town sidewalks, offering rich media content on mobile devices to enhance visitors’ experiences in the town. A public hearing will be held on the issue on April 3rd. It will be eligible for a vote on April 10th, 2013.
Another ordinance (#441), mandated by the State of Maryland, was introduced that repeals and replaces the entire floodplain management chapter of the town code. A public hearing will be held on April 24th. The ordinance is eligible for a vote on May 22nd.
The Commissioners also approved a sign for the Community Garden, pending approval by the Historic District Commission.
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