Town solicitor says weddings aren’t covered by Right to Farm; council asks Young Family Farm to resubmit entertainment application

The town solicitor told the council the key legal precedent is narrow: "The Bridal case stands for the proposition that the Right to Farm Act does not trump the zoning ordinance for certain activities such as weddings," he said, arguing that weddings are not an agricultural accessory use under current zoning.

Council members and residents debated the balance between supporting local farms and enforcing zoning. Several speakers urged the council to find a path that helps farmers earn supplemental income while limiting impacts on neighbors. One resident suggested a limited special permit approach, such as restricting the number of commercial weddings or using a two-year trial window.

The application from Young Family Farm included dinners and other entertainment. The solicitor and building official said portions of the application—specifically weddings—are not permitted in residential zones without a zoning change or an explicit local ordinance amendment. The council voted to ask Young Family Farm to resubmit its entertainment license application with weddings excluded and with specific, written parameters for dinners and musical entertainment.

Council guidance included asking applicants to better define the nature of dinners, frequency, and the type of musical entertainment intended. The resubmission will allow the council, solicitor and planning board to review a clearer application; if the town wishes to permit farm-based weddings as a commercial activity, the council discussed exploring zoning ordinance amendments or dedicated agricultural accessory-use language in a future planning process.