Township okays farmers' market

MILFORD - Treading where the borough council feared to go, the Milford Township Supervisors on Monday agreed to allow a farmers’ market. The township would provide the municipal building parking lot for a Saturday farmers’ market running through October. When it might start is another matter, since Supervisor Gary Williams, who proposed the market, did not know how the market was to be organized. Williams introduced the market idea, saying that Commissioner Harry Forbes had suggested the idea and needed a place to stage it. Beyond that the only certainty was, “we’re not sponsoring it,” Williams said. Williams said the market would be limited to fruits and vegetables. “No flowers. That wouldn’t be appreciated by our full-time florist (next door). “It’ll be easy to control. It’s township property ... It’s not going to be a flea market,” Williams added. Supervisor Phil Barletto was hesitant, and had some concerns about parking. “The cars will be out on the street,” he said. “We can’t wait forever. Now is produce time,” Williams said. Williams and Barletto approved the measure. Supervisor Scott Fean did not attend the meeting. Concerned with undercutting existing, taxpaying businesses, the Milford Borough Council was less than receptive when a resident suggested a market to them earlier this month. “We have to be careful who we authorize or we’ll have people selling flowers on street corners,” warned Council President Matthew Osterberg. “That sounds like a wonderful idea, unless you’re the guy with the flower store,” he added. Osterberg worried that a flea market would develop. “I’m not saying they can’t; I’m just saying there has to be rules.” Councilman Robert “Bo” Fean was willing to listen if someone came to the council with a proposal. But Borough Solicitor John Klemeyer counseled caution. “Somebody has to be in charge and it’s hard to write (ordinance) limits on some things,” he said. “How do we draw the line, and once it’s in existence, how do we stop it? We don’t,” Osterberg added. Ken Peereboom owns Prime Time Meats on the other side of the township building. He recently added fresh produce to his stock. Peereboom said he wasn’t concerned about the new market. “(The supervisors) do what they want, anyway,” he said with a smile.