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Lakeville commission rules out hospital property, eyes library/Old Town Hall for farmers market
Summary
At the March 12, 2018, meeting of the Town of Lakeville Agricultural Commission, members discussed possible locations for a proposed farmers market and said the Lakeville Hospital property is not suitable at present because of unsafe buildings, equipment parked in the lot and lack of utilities and restroom facilities.
At the March 12, 2018, meeting of the Town of Lakeville Agricultural Commission, members discussed possible locations for a proposed farmers market and said the Lakeville Hospital property is not suitable at present because of unsafe buildings, equipment parked in the lot and lack of utilities and restroom facilities.
A commission member who inspected the site for owner Derek Maxey said the property currently contains equipment and trailers and several buildings in disrepair that could present safety and liability risks if the commission invited the public onto the grounds. The member said electricity and running water are not readily available at the front of the building and that porta‑potty service would be needed for events there.
The commission said the Lakeville Library/Old Town Hall area is the preferred site to pursue because the building commissioner has offered support and the Board of Health has provided the information needed to host a market there. Members discussed avoiding schedule conflicts with nearby markets in Middleborough and possible coordination — including reaching out to a contact named Bonnie who attended the Massachusetts Association of Farm Bureau meeting — rather than competing for customers.
Commission members listed other local sites in conversation, including Oliver Mills, Town Hall lawn, Pratt Farm and a CSA on Wood Street. They discussed timing and spacing (for example, a morning market followed by another market the same day) so residents could attend multiple markets. The commission said it is seeking someone to run the market and may ask Bonnie for advice about management.
On costs, one member said porta‑potty rentals are roughly $80 per unit for a single event, with no steep discount for day‑only rentals. Members said they might revisit the Lakeville Hospital property in the future but will pursue the library/Old Town Hall area for now.
The commission did not take a formal vote on site selection at this meeting and left further action to future meetings, including outreach to potential market managers and the Middleborough contact.
