AMHERST — Even though the weekly Amherst Farmers Market means more than 40 parking spots on Spring Street, South Pleasant Street and Boltwood Avenue are unavailable for several hours each Saturday, organizers of the market will not have to pay any fees for use of the space.
In its first decision related to the use of Amherst’s public ways, the Town Council on Monday continued the policy of not charging the privately organized market, which is entering its 48th year.
The market will run weekly from April 20 through Nov. 16, from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
“It’s been a very successful market and we’re growing,” said market manager David Machowski, adding that it is one of the largest and longest-running markets in the state.
In 2015, one of the main contentions with the market was resolved, when organizers agreed to a policy that all Amherst producers would be welcome to set up at the market, even if they were providing the same items as other vendors. Previously, some Amherst vendors were excluded or placed on a waitlist.
“It all worked out and everyone is happy,” said At-Large Councilor Alisa Brewer, who was on the Select Board at the time of discussing that matter with the market’s operators.
The market was able to accomplish taking on new vendors by adding an area on Boltwood Avenue.
“We’re full, but we have more room,” Machowksi said.
Two parking spaces will continue to be reserved for the Inn on Boltwood so guests staying there are not disrupted in checking in and out.
Only At-Large Councilor Mandi Jo Hanneke said she worried about giving the market so many parking spaces, noting that the town has a parking supply issue. “Do we as a town charge anything for 31 weeks of use?” Hanneke asked.
District 3 Councilor Dorothy Pam said she wouldn’t support charging for the parking because that would discourage the market, and farming is a vital part of town.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman said it has been a tradition not to charge, but that the council could consider it. Bockelman said what typically gets charged parking fees are business-related uses of parking, such as when a business needs to reserve spots for contractors.
Meantime, Bockelman issued a memorandum to the Town Council that would address how requests are handled for public ways. This will be sent to the council’ s Government, Organization and Legislation Committee for review.
“I request that the town council consider a policy for addressing all requests pertaining to the public way to confirm existing procedures and establish protocols where existing procedures do not exist.”
The idea would be to devise strategies for parking reservation and road closure requests.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
