To the editor:
We urge the community to attend this Mondays hearing at Town Hall in regards to special use events at our local farms.
It’s wonderful that our farmers in Portsmouth have done such a nice job restoring and preserving their properties so that people would actually want to hold their special events in our special town. Currently some of these farmers are holding less than half of a month’s worth of events on these properties. These auxiliary uses to their primary function are needed to survive the cost of doing business.
The benefits to our community and the beautiful vistas we all enjoy from our destination farms far outweigh a few events every year. We also have our council-appointed Board of Review to do its due diligence when granting the permits for these events. If these events serve alcohol, they will need TIPS-certified bartenders at the event and most likely a police presence.
On a daily basis we witness the alternative to our hardworking farmers choosing to shut down their operation. Typically the farm is sold to a developer and residential homes are built. These homes create a burden on our infrastructure and tax base. For every $1 a residence brings in in taxes, the town-provided services cost $1.36.
On the contrary, the ancillary events the farmers are asking permits for create offshoot business for our local shop owners and restaurants. When folks visit the corn maze, there is a good chance they’ll grab an ice cream at Anna D’s, shop for gifts or even stay at a local bed and breakfast. Perhaps the special event will require a tent to be rented from Newport Tent, a caterer to be hired and perhaps a florist.
It is in our opinion that sustainable smart economic growth is growth that creates jobs and opportunities without burdening our tax base and supports the rural character that we all love about our town. These farms have made us proud to call Portsmouth our home and proud of our 375-year agrarian heritage.
Conni Harding
Preserve Portsmouth
884 Union St.