Where Mr. Marro calls my concerns and other community members concerns “allegations” they are not allegations at all, they are just simply the facts. To be clear, I was at the original meeting that approved the farmers market , so no need to make a “quick phone call” to anyone as he suggests. You only need to make that call if you don’t attend the meeting or don’t have the facts, this is not the case here. I wish he could say the same. My last letter encouraged Mr. Marro to call me or to attend a meeting but as of today neither has happened. Actually, not only was I at the meeting but I was asked to give input on the approval as the towns Code Enforcement Officer. My input was simple , “great idea to get our farmers the well deserved exposure they need but let’s just keep it safe and organized”, from there the town board set the rules.

Fact one, the organization IS allowing outside vendors. It’s not an allegation it is a fact, and I knew that. How can something be an allegation when it’s known to be true. I only asked the question, that I was asked by residents, on how we got to outside vendors and not just locals attending. Again, not approved in the original plan but if it benefits the market , the town board agrees , then great. I’m all for it. Question asked and answered.

Fact two, the organization IS collecting fees. Again, not an allegation it’s a fact. My question here, again, is how did we get here. At the original meeting the town board gave the organization the use of the town park free of charge and there was to be no charges to the farmers. If the vendors don’t mind paying the fees, and the town board agrees with the vendors paying the fees, then all good. My only comment, after the question, on the fees was that I believed the farmers should not pay any fees. Question asked and answered.

Fact three, yes, I was concerned about the safety and the traffic of vehicles coming and going at multiple locations on the 9W corridor. Not an allegation , just the fact that this was not part of the original plans and was a safety concerns of the town board at the time approval. This is very unsafe, a major concern of residents, and needed to be corrected as soon as possible.

Fact four, last week the police chief and town board members met with the New York State department of transportation ( NYDOT ) and proved these concerns to be very real. As of today you will see that the NYDOT has had the town close over the largest section of the road cut entering off 9W ( thank You John Alonge and the entire Marlborough highway department ) and now have planted grass to not allow any access. Also, you will see in the near future signs to direct traffic in a south bound direction only with no north bound turning. This is a fantastic start to keep people safe in that area, especially people not from this area and unfamiliar with the traffic and danger this presents. As far as the police report , THANK GOD the police chief has had no reports of accidents recently in that area but when residents are concerned , and I agree , I am not willing to wait for a accident report or a death to occur caused by the lack of site distance to react. A human life is much more precious to wait on a police report tomorrow when I can address that safety concern today. Sorry. 

So in closing to answer Mr. Marro, one, I have made NO allegation but presented the facts I know to be true because I was part of the approval process many years ago. Two, this was brought up in a public forum because this is where it needs to be brought up. Where should this be brought up, behind closed doors? If there is nothing to hide, and there is nothing but just a lack of communication, then the town board meeting is EXACTLY where this is to be heard. Also, if Mr. Marro felt this discussion “dominated” to much of the town boards time then he is 100% wrong. I have been going to Town Board meetings for almost 20 years and no matter how long it takes “I am willing to stay all night if the concerns and safety of our residents are put at risk” and if he does not agree with that, and any town board member does not agree with that FACTual statement, then the ALLEGATION I will make is that those people do not belong in public office serving our community.