Morristown members say they will review rules after reports of alcohol tastings at farmers market

Members at a brief Morristown meeting discussed whether alcohol tastings at the town’s farmers market violate vendor permits and agreed to have staff review permit language and enforcement procedures.

Unidentified Speaker 1 asked at the start of the discussion whether a tasting at the market would be a violation of existing rules, saying participants had raised the complaint and asking, “Is that something that's listed in their permit when they apply to the vendor at the farmers market.” Unidentified Speaker 2 replied that the question sounded “problematic,” said they wanted to do more research and noted that neither staff nor the clerk had been aware of tastings on farms.

Speaker 2 framed the concern as one about regulation and safety: “I'm not against alcohol, but I'm against alcohol that's not regulated,” they said, adding that an open market raises questions about teenage access, intoxication and allergic reactions. Speaker 2 said staff performs a thorough review of vendor applications and that, if permitting or enforcement is an issue, attendees should expect “more movement.”

Both speakers recounted a recent tasting at Barnes Market on Father’s Day. They said they were asked to show identification to taste and that purchases were made at a liquor store; Speaker 1 said the tasting area was not separated from other vendors.

No formal motion about enforcement or rule changes was made. Speaker 1 said they wanted to “plant a little seed” to begin thinking about possible actions. The meeting adjourned after Speaker 1 moved to adjourn and Speaker 2 seconded; a voice vote was taken and the chair declared the meeting closed.

Next steps: staff was asked to research permit language and whether vendor permits explicitly allow on-site tastings; the transcript records no timeline for a report back or a formal directive to draft an ordinance or policy change.