Fresh and Fancy Farms Appears Before Zoning Board Seeking Variances

The owner of , Don Low, appeared before the Zoning Board last week seeking variances allowing him to relocate an existing greenhouse, construct a new greenhouse, construct a 36' x 60' barn, pave a portion of the property between Stockton Street and the existing house and barn and install a 12 foot high, 6' x 6' double sided sign facing River Road.

Low informed the board that at one time the farm contained six greenhouses. However, four were removed due to deterioration, leaving only two. 

Low also requested that he be allowed to install a gate by the easement for safety purposes.

Because there are no lights near the easement, Low is concerned about someone getting hurt if they wander onto the farm property and fall into the brook. He told the board that the gate would be open sun-up to sun-down.  

However, Scott Sproviero, attorney for the Zoning Board, explained that Low's farm management deed does not allow for any fences or gates on the easement. 

"This [farm deed] is a legal document," Sproviero said. "It's a condition of acquisition of your easement and we have no jurisdiction over this." 

Low purchased the farm in 2011 from Sharon Klinger who owned and ran Klinger’s Farm and grew flowers with her husband Bill until his passing in 2010.

Low, has owned his own commercial landscaping business for 37 years, in addition to the family owned , a business that specializes in party and equipment rentals.

When residents questioned him on whether he would be storing Town and Country trucks and equipment on the farm, he assured them that he had no plans of doing that. He told the board that he bought the Klinger farm because he always wanted his own nursery.

The Fresh and Fancy Farms hearing before the Zoning Board will continue on May 8.