HADLEY — A farmer searching for an leisure license from the Select Board so bands can once more carry out at his ice cream stand in the course of the heat climate months contends that Hadley staff and municipal boards are deliberately placing obstacles in his manner.

At the March 15 Select Board assembly, the place the agenda listed 100 Mill Valley Road as a dialogue merchandise, Bruce Jenks, who runs Maple Valley’s Scoops on the Silos from the positioning, criticized officers for placing his property on the agenda, however not being invited to the dialogue.

An expanded agenda said that “the Select Board will discuss the APR status of the property and the implications of permits,” referring to the Agricultural Preservation Restriction program that preserves farmland. A query to be answered was whether or not there could also be prohibitions on issuing an leisure license due to the positioning’s APR standing.

Jenks mentioned what he’s doing is not any totally different than many different farms in Hadley.

“It’s become almost offensive to us to operate in this town at this point,” Jenks mentioned.

Select Board member Randy Izer mentioned he needed to be clear that every little thing occurring on Jenks’ farm is allowed by APR earlier than a choice is made on the leisure license on the board’s April 5 assembly.

“We’re trying to figure out how to make things work for you,” Izer mentioned.

The Planning Board just lately really useful the leisure license for Jenks’ enterprise so the positioning can have audio system and music every week, and parking for as much as 60 automobiles, from 11:30 a.m. to eight:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Jenks mentioned along with being excluded from the Select Board assembly, he feels there was normal mistreatment towards him and the operator of the El Durango Taco Truck that he has invited to arrange on web site every week.

He alleges the meals truck proprietor was accosted by a city worker who threatened that the operation wouldn’t be allowed on the town. The interplay led to chatter that Jenks wouldn’t get his license, or would have it pulled.

“How incestuous that group is at Town Hall is very concerning,” Jenks mentioned.

Jenks mentioned he’s doing one thing good in Hadley, bringing individuals to city and educating them about farm life.

“It’s not a dump, it’s not cows up to their bellies in manure, it’s a showplace for people to understand what agriculture is,” Jenks mentioned.

Town Administrator Carolyn Brennan disputed the accusations Jenks made towards city workers, together with Jenks’ declare that an worker was making an attempt to bar the meals truck’s presence.

But Izer mentioned there is no such thing as a allowance on the town zoning for meals vehicles to function seasonally, although they are often permitted for particular occasions such because the annual Asparagus Festival.

“We’re doing the best we can,” Izer mentioned. “We can’t just make it magically happen.”

Jenks, although, mentioned an ice cream stand on Lawrence Plain Road is a everlasting meals truck, whereas Izer mentioned his understanding is it that it has been grandfathered.

“I just don’t understand how it’s become we’re the single focus of every meeting,” Jenks mentioned.

Scott Merzbach may be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.