The most pressing topic of the meeting was the regulation of noise levels for agri-tourism events. One key point of debate was whether to establish specific decibel limits or to regulate based on operational hours. The current noise ordinance, which limits sound levels to 55 decibels during the day and 50 decibels at night, was widely regarded as impractical for agri-tourism events. A suggestion was made to allow reasonable noise levels until 11:00 p.m., enabling events to continue into the night provided they did not involve loud music or DJs past a designated hour. This approach aimed to strike a balance between allowing events to operate and maintaining the peace for neighboring properties.

A participant emphasized the need for clear definitions of offsite impacts and penalties applicable to all agri-tourism operations, noting that issues such as traffic and noise could escalate if not proactively managed. The current regulations were described as leading to all existing agri-tourism businesses being non-compliant, highlighting the necessity for a revised approach that accommodates the unique nature of these businesses.

Concerns were also raised about the practicality of enforcing decibel levels, with one participant recalling experiences where noise levels exceeded 100 decibels. The committee debated the potential for subjective interpretation of what constitutes “loud music” and suggested conducting further research on how other regions manage noise levels in similar contexts.

A potential timeline was suggested. The need to address related topics such as lighting, odors, vibrations, dust, and signage was also mentioned, with lighting regulations being acknowledged as particularly pertinent.

In parallel, the committee focused on traffic management for agri-tourism events, particularly regarding the need for regulations versus voluntary guidelines. The primary concern was how to handle large events without causing traffic issues, especially if an event was expected to draw several vehicles. It was suggested that internal parking management should not fall under strict regulations as long as it does not negatively impact neighboring properties or create health and safety issues.

The committee debated the idea of requiring certain standards or regulations for managing parking on-site. One member strongly advocated against imposing any regulations on parking management within agri-tourism venues.

Concerns were raised about the potential for traffic problems arising from events that are not planned properly. The committee acknowledged that there could be situations where an event might exceed expected attendance, leading to unforeseen parking and traffic issues. To mitigate this, there was a suggestion for businesses to develop contingency plans for handling overflow parking and to consult with the town if they anticipate high attendance. This involved discussing whether there could be a “trigger point” for when businesses must come forward with their plans based on anticipated attendance levels.

A participant noted that all agri-tourism businesses in town were currently in violation of the existing noise regulations, emphasizing the need for a revised approach that accommodates the unique nature of these businesses. It was proposed that the committee should focus on providing guidance on hours of operation rather than strict decibel measurements, which were deemed difficult to enforce effectively. A suggestion was made to conduct further research on how other regions manage noise levels in similar contexts.

The members expressed a desire for maintaining a cooperative approach, with the objective of creating an atmosphere where businesses felt encouraged to devise plans for traffic management, especially for larger events. The possibility of engaging fire safety and emergency services was also discussed, emphasizing that even without strict regulations, certain safety standards must be adhered to for the well-being of attendees and local residents.

Ultimately, while there was agreement on the importance of managing on-site parking and off-site traffic impacts, the debate highlighted a tension between the desire for regulatory oversight and the preference for operational freedom for agri-tourism businesses. The committee sought to find common ground, recognizing the need for businesses to take responsibility for their events while also ensuring that local traffic and safety concerns were addressed proactively.

In terms of logistics for future meetings, there was an acknowledgment that several members would be absent in the upcoming October meeting. The proposal to skip the October meeting and reconvene in November was put forth, with suggestions to schedule the November meeting for the week before Thanksgiving. The committee reached a consensus to arrange for a specific date that would accommodate all members.