City of Havre de Grace and Havre de Grace Main Street Inc. officials want the city's farmers' market to set up in Frank J. Hutchins Memorial Park this year, rather than the market's long-time downtown location at Pennington Avenue and Washington Street.
The move, however, has received opposition from vendors, several who expressed their concerns at Monday's City Council meeting, causing the council to postpone approving a permit for the new location and the sponsoring organization's president to say a potential compromise could be in the works.
Havre de Grace Main Street, a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to promoting and maintaining a viable downtown district, manages and sponsors the market.
City Council members took note of the vendors' concerns about the move, including not having enough time before the market opens May 2 to get all vendors properly organized in the new venue, whether the parking available at Hutchins is suitable and a lack of time to advertise the change in location so regular and new customers know where to go,
"Customers need to be informed about the move so everyone is on board with it," vendor Donna Mandl, of Deer Meadow Farm, in the Aberdeen area, told the council.
Mandl urged council members to postpone a vote on Havre de Grace Main Street's special event permit application for the market, so all vendors, including farmers and craft sellers, can get together and "flesh out all the details before it comes to the council for a vote."
David Keyes, of Keyes Creamery, in the Aberdeen area, said "our customers know where we are, and they expect us to be at a certain spot."
Paula Harman, of Harman's Farm Market, in Churchville, noted the Havre de Grace market is a draw for vendors outside the city and said she has enjoyed being part of it.
"I wouldn't trade where we are for the world, and I mean that," she said.
Harman said one of her main concerns about moving to a new venue is the timing.
"We felt it's pretty short notice to be able to get the word out," she said.
Council members took note and voted unanimously in favor of a motion by Council President Bill Martin to postpone a decision on the permit application to the next council meeting on April 6.
"If history's taught me anything, it's taught me that when farmers attend a town hall meeting in good numbers, you'd better listen to them," Martin said.
He said postponing a vote on the permit to early April should give all concerned parties enough time to work out their concerns in the interim.
"Upon the request of the good farmers, I'm going to table this," Martin said.
Council members, however, also expressed their support for moving to Hutchins Park.
Councilman Randy Craig said a tent could be set up to protect customers and vendors from the elements, and Councilman Steve Gamatoria noted the park's proximity to the Susquehanna River means local commercial watermen could bring their catch from the nearby docks to market stalls.
"I'd like to see this farmers' market become the biggest and best in Harford County," Craig said.
He said the city could provide assistance with the transition, including advertising. Councilman Fred Cullum also suggested placing signs at the former Pennington Avenue location directing customers to the park.
Havre de Grace Main Street officials and city leaders have been discussing moving the market from Pennington Avenue to Hutchins Park at the end of Congress Avenue for several years to provide vendors and customers with more space, better parking and public restrooms.
The market is scheduled to be open every Saturday morning between May 2 and Oct. 31, according to the permit application.
Havre de Grace Main Street applied for a permit to have the market at Hutchins Park during those dates, but Main Street President Steve Sheppard suggested to council members that it remain on Pennington Avenue through mid-July and then move to the park for the latter half of the season to give managers extra time to promote the change.
Sheppard said later that vendors are working to form a committee to support managing the market.
"Whatever they decide to do, we're here to help the farmers," he said.