City Council Approves Use Of Parade Plaza By Farmers Market

A group looking to use Parade Plaza for a weekly farmers market got an unexpected boost Monday when the City Council approved both the use of the plaza and a $2,000 donation.

The proposed New London Field of Greens Farmers Market will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays between June and October. Dan Karp, a collaborator in the project who spoke to the Council, said it would be a transfer of a farmers market that used to be held in the municipal lots off Eugene O’Neill Drive and moved last year to the parking lot of .

“The point here was to try to move it to a more visible location,” said Karp.

According to materials presented to the council, the business network New London Local First has created a management committee to oversee the market. Karp said the group needed to take several steps as soon as possible, including contacting farmers, getting approval from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, getting insurance for the event, and promoting it via a partnership with .

Karp said other benefits would include increased foot traffic downtown, appeal to both New London residents and out-of-town visitors, and partnerships with restaurants.

“I think it’s an excellent idea,” said Councilor Adam Sprecace. “I think the Parade is the logical venue for the farmers market.”

Sprecace motioned to allow the market to take place in the Parade. Though other councilors also spoke in favor of the market, they were also concerned about some matters related to the use of the plaza. Interim City Manager Denise Rose said there is no policy in place for use of the Parade for non-municipal events.

“This is really the first private nonprofit that has come forward asking for use of the Parade,” she said.

Mayor Martin Olsen and Councilor Michael Passero said they supported the idea, but felt it should be discussed more thoroughly in a council subcommittee. Councilor Robert Pero said he felt that liability was the major issue, and Karp said a $1 million insurance policy would be included as part of the market. Passero and Pero also said they were concerned over the possibility of trucks being parked in the plaza.

"I'm not sure I picture those trucks in that setup," said Passero. "I've got some real concerns about box trucks parked on Parade Plaza."

The materials presented to the board say some vendors may bring trucks to the market, but that organizers would “discourage their gratuitous use by charging vendors for the space their truck would occupy on the Parade.” Trucks would also have to be parked on a “heavy-gauge, leak-proof, absorbent material” to protect the plaza surface, and vendors would be responsible for leaving the space clean at the end of the market.

“We would certainly welcome and encourage the city to sponsor this event,” said Karp. “If we wait much longer, we won’t be able to sponsor it this summer.”

Councilor Michael Buscetto III amended Sprecace’s motion to have the city partner with the market and support it with a $2,000 contribution. Buscetto said the city has funded one-night events in the Parade before, and that it has provided funds to organizations without going to a subcommittee for further discussion.

“I think one of the issues is our consistency with events at the Parade,” he cautioned. “There are no policies…I think the policy needs to be in place soon.”

Buscetto’s amendment passed unanimously, as was the amended motion.