NORTHFIELD — Residents are asking town officials to “hit pause” on discussions surrounding the special event permitting process.
“Although the Northfield Selectboard initiated several important changes to the special events permit at the Aug. 9, 2022 meeting, we remain uncomfortable with aspects of the permitting process,” said resident Sarah Kern, reading a petition signed by 20 voters. “We feel its lack of explicit limits or objective limit thresholds leaves the town exposed.”
The letter, which was presented to the Selectboard Tuesday evening, states that the process “did not contain sufficient time to fully address resident concerns.”
“We ask you to consider hitting pause on the finalization of the special event permit application and freezing any current special event permit discussion until resident concerns can be more fully addressed,” she read.
The petition Kern presented follows an Aug. 9 discussion, during which Selectboard members reviewed what is required for a special permit application. This application, according to Town Administrator Andrea Llamas, would apply to events on public or private property that involve entertainment, food or alcohol, and may include events such as a festival, a carnival, a parade or a road race.
Many of the changes made were to language, but one significant change included requiring events with 500 or more attendees to schedule a preliminary review meeting with the Selectboard prior to submitting the special permit application with the board. Previously, this was only a recommendation.
Chair Barbara “Bee” Jacque said she is looking for individual suggestions — in addition to the petition from residents — to be brought before the board. She noted the discussion could be included on a future agenda.
“Then we can … look through the underlying landscape of concerns,” she said.
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.