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Clinton Farm Proposal Hearing Continued

After more than three hours of sometimes contentious input from applicants and the public on a proposal to allow a farm in a residential zone on a 3.5 acre-plot on River Road, the Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) has continued a public hearing to Monday, Oct. 1.

Jeffery Cashman, who serves as an alternate on the PZC, is the property owner and co-applicant for a special exception permit with his wife Patricia.

The public hearing was attended by more than 30 members of the public and lasted longer than 3 ½ hours, which is unusually long for a PZC meetings.

To start the meeting, the Cashmans’ attorney Edward Cassella asked that PZC members Gary Bousquet and Adam Moore recuse themselves due to what he characterized as conflicts of interest. Cassella argued that Bousquet’s conflict is that he owns the landscaping company Grove Gardens and sells mulch, something Cashman’s farm also sells. Cassella said that Moore’s sister-in-law lives next to the farm, which he also called a conflict of interest. Neither Bousquet nor Moore recused themselves.

During the portion of the hearing for public comments, eight people spoke in favor of approving the farm. Speakers noted the clean appearance of the farm, the benefits of having a local business that allows for mulch and wood chips to be dumped and picked up, and other benefits of having a farm in the area.

Three people also spoke against the application, including Veronica Lopez, a neighbor with an adjacent property. Tim Shields, a lawyer representing Lopez, spoke to the commission on key concerns he had about the property. Shields pointed to issues with setback requirements, a required 25-foot vegetative buffer on the property, the smells of the animals, traffic concerns, and the location trailers and heavy machinery on the property.

Lopez herself addressed the PZC, stating, “Living next to the Cashman property is very difficult.”

Lopez said that when she originally moved into her property, there was no farm or mulching operation on the site.

“I cannot enjoy my property the way I want to,” Lopez said.

Cashman disputed these claims.

“We’ve done nothing wrong, we’re simply farmers,” Cashman said.

Cassella also requested that the PZC grant several waivers and excusals in considering the application, primarily releasing the requirement for plans for things like lighting, buildings, and landscaping that aren’t applicable in a project with no new lighting, landscaping or buildings. A PZC subcommittee met on Sept. 4 and recommended that the waivers be granted.

The PZC did vote to accept the recommendations of the subcommittee, albeit with condition that Cashman provide a statement on a soil erosion plan and provide an updated site plan for review. Both Bousquet and Moore voted to approve the subcommittee’s recommendations.

The hearing will be continued to Monday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Green Room.