Tiverton Family Fights To Keep 30-Year-Old Farm Stand

A Tiverton family's 30-year farm stand could close after a Portsmouth committee discovered they were selling on town property. 

The 375th Anniversary Committee has been working hard to plan events and celebrations for the town's 375th anniversary throughout the year. 

During research last fall for an upcoming event, the 375th Anniversary Committee stumbled upon an interesting discovery. 

The well-known Mello’s Farm Stand, owned and operated by Art and Laura Mello of Tiverton, is not situated on private property along Boyd's Lane, but in a town park - Founder's Brook. 

"There has to be a fundamental understanding that it's town property," said Portsmouth Town Council President Jim Seveney Monday night to the Mellos.

The family received a letter last October, informing them they would be required to not sell on town land. While the Portsmouth Town Council granted the Mellos a one-year extension Monday night, the farm stand could still close in 2014. 

The Mello's Farm Stand will celebrate its 30th year of operation this year. The stand is the only source of income for the family farm in Tiverton, the Mellos said. 

"We have a lot of customers coming from Tiverton, Little-Compton...We have quite the following," said Art Mello, who grew up on a farm located just next door to the stand.

I want to know what you think about this issue.

I've listed some of the arguments made Monday night in the chart below. These were the arguments made my the Mellos, the Portsmouth Town Council and a representative of the Rhode Island Farm Bureau. 

Should the Mellos be allowed to operate their farm stand on town property? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Reasons the farm stand should stay Reasons the farm stand should close or move 30 years in operation; Farm stand is located on town property;  Only source of family farm income; Farm stand violates the town's Farm Tax Ordinance;  Large following in area;  Majority of produce grown off island in Tiverton (violation of ordinance);  Large percentage of RI farmers markets on government property, says Farm Bureau;  Sets precedence for other Portsmouth businesses to open on town property;  Tradition of RI farm stands on public land, says Farm Bureau; Town seeks to avoid alleged family dispute between Mellos and neighboring farm;  Farmers are not legally considered "hawkers or peddlers," says Farm Bureau.  Town seeks other uses for Founder's Brook, such as a farmers market open to all farms.