Committee forwards Bangor Farmers Market lease amendments to council, including temporary storage and sealed-beer sales

The Bangor City Business & Economic Development Committee voted June 2 to forward two proposed amendments to the Bangor Farmers Market lease to the City Council: authorizing a temporary on‑site storage unit and allowing an approved brewery vendor to sell sealed containers of beer at the market.

Economic development officer Begita Hernandez Smith told the committee the market “is a tremendous impact positively to our community from an entrepreneurial standpoint, from a local produce and access standpoint, and from a community engagement standpoint,” and that vendors have growing logistical needs that a storage unit could address. Staff recommended a location near the Abbott Square gate (preserving the grassy area, “option 2” in the packet) and asked the committee to approve a one‑year placement so the market can avoid vendors hauling equipment back and forth.

The storage unit would be provided lease‑free by Maine Trailer Company, with the market proposing a community mural or beautification project on the unit. Committee members asked staff to obtain a picture/spec sheet of the unit and to confirm code and planning‑board requirements: city code limits temporary units to six months without a planning‑board approval or permit, so any placement longer than six months would require additional approvals.

Committee members also discussed security concerns tied to adding another structure in the Abbott Square area. Staff said lease language could include provisions allowing the city to remove the unit if nuisance or safety problems occur, and that code enforcement and planning review would be required before the unit is made permanent.

In a separate amendment, an approved vendor identified as Outland Farm Farmers Brewery sought permission to sell sealed containers (not samples or on‑site consumption) at market stalls. Committee members signaled support for sealed‑container sales so long as state liquor regulations and market guidelines are followed and the brewery does not store alcoholic product in the proposed storage unit.

Market representatives described the market’s role in nutrition‑assistance redemption: staff noted voucher redemptions in 2024 were roughly $50,000, and the market was a top redeemer of WIC/other programs in the state. Everett Ottinger, identified as chair of Vanguard Farmers Market and co‑owner of Betty Fox Farm, said winter markets and existing vendor arrangements provide options for off‑season storage and that the market uses storage at other sites during winter.

A single motion covering both lease amendments was made and seconded; the committee agreed to forward the package to the City Council for final approval (the committee record in the transcript shows the motion was moved and seconded and staff reported it would be sent to council; an explicit roll‑call tally for this forwarding vote was not recorded in the committee transcript). The council will review required code and planning permits before any placement longer than six months.

Next steps: staff will confirm code and planning requirements, provide images/specs of the donated unit, and draft lease language addressing duration, maintenance, beautification, and removal conditions, then forward the items to the City Council for action.