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Wrentham board conditionally approves White Barn Farm licenses; building inspector raises seating safety concern
Summary
The board approved a common victual license (pending good standing with building, health and safety departments) and a series of one‑day beer/wine permits for White Barn Farm. The building commissioner asked the owners to work on seating placement (40‑foot setback was discussed) so seating does not create a roadside hazard.
The Wrentham Select Board approved a common victual license for the Kitchen at White Barn Farm on June 16, subject to being in good standing with the Board of Health, the Building Inspector and Public Safety. The board also approved a slate of one‑day beer/wine licenses for the farm’s Summer Nights series (dates in June–August 2026), again pending good standing with town departments.
Selectman Bill Harrington raised that the White Barn kitchen had allowed seating after its common‑victual license lapsed and asked the applicants to resolve any outstanding building‑inspector concerns before full indoor/outdoor seating continues. The building commissioner visited the site and suggested seating be moved back about 40 feet from Route 1A as one possible mitigation; White Barn representatives said their seating is picnic tables and that they would continue to work with the inspector.
Town Manager Michael King confirmed the Board of Health had approved the food permit (takeout), but the common‑victual license triggers permission to seat customers. "They have Board of Health approval to operate… they can do takeout. It's the seating that's triggered by the common victual," King said. The board added the good‑standing language to the motion to ensure the building inspector and public safety could require modifications if warranted.
Why it matters: the White Barn Farm kitchen and its summer event series are local economic and community assets. The board emphasized support for small businesses while insisting public‑safety and building concerns be addressed promptly.
Next steps: White Barn owners were asked to continue communication with the building commissioner and public‑safety staff. The board asked the Town Manager to confirm in writing that the building inspector is satisfied with seating arrangements if they remain in use while the license issues are finalized.
