Marcy Field market to slowly expand

KEENE | The Keene Town Board agreed to slowly expand the Marcy Field farmers market, a signature Adirondack event that has been operating in a limited capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The market had been open for two Sundays at the time of last week's board meeting, with fewer than 25 vendors selling only locally raised food. On a normal weekend, the market attracts 80 vendors, according to Lissa Goldstein of Wild Work Farm in Keene Valley. Keene Supervisor Joe Pete Wilson said the state had originally allowed for farmers markets selling food only, which was regarded as an essential service. It modified its guidance shortly thereafter to allow artisans and craft vendors, but the town resisted out of concerns for crowd size. "The town was being more conservative than the state," Wilson said. But by the second weekend, the market had ironed out some logistical concerns and was operating in an acceptable manner from a density standpoint, Wilson said. Although he cautioned against getting too many new vendors too fast, board member Dave Deyo said a limited number of artisans selling birdhouses and chairs would be no more of a hazard than a food truck, which had been allowed the previous weekend. Board member Bob Biesemeyer suggested, and the board agreed, that the market invites vendors who live in Keene to participate as a dry run. "If all of a sudden 20 (new) vendors come in, it could ruin the whole operation," he said. "We could start with our local vendors and see how it goes." The board decided to allow in 10 new vendors, with priority given to local artisans. More tents would be possible in the future, but only if space allows. Goldstein said that as the grounds are currently configured, there isn't a lot of room left, as vendors have spread out by filling every other slot. The two markets to date had been heavily attended, with bigger crowds expected as the summer kicks into gear. Other board-related matters were also discussed: — Wilson told the board that finances are looking grim for the upcoming budget year. "There is no good news about finances," he said. "Revenues are way off and we're going to have a very tough budget season coming up. Biesemeyer said the town is limited in how it can manage its finances. "All we can hope for is that in some way or another there's a (federal) stimulus targeting the towns so that the people working for municipalities can keep their jobs," he said. — The town agreed to allow a state of emergency passed at the onset of the pandemic to expire because health-related management practices have been enacted and are working. — The town voted to prohibit fountains and aquatic landscape features that do not recycle their water. Keene Water Superintendent Ryan Hall said the problem is not widespread but can cause a drop in the town's water supply. Verbal requests have not always been successful in convincing residents to conserve, so under the new ordinance, the town can shut off water to offenders who do not respond to warnings. The ordinance does not affect activities such as car washing, garden watering or pool filling. Landscape features that recycle water are OK. "I don't want to put on any water restrictions," Hall said. But a fountain that does not recirculate its water can cost the town 30,000 gallons a day, he said.

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Marcy Field market to slowly expand

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