Council urges bookshop owner to seek planning‑board relief for amplified outdoor music; debris at Thompson Tract to be cleared

Council discussed an old‑business item involving a special‑use request from the Frenchtown Bookshop and asked the owner to pursue relief through the planning board for amplified outdoor music.

Members said unamplified author readings are likely consistent with bookstore use and less likely to generate neighbor complaints, but amplified outdoor music raises significant community concerns. The zoning officer’s guidance and an attorney’s letter were cited; council members recommended updating the attorney’s letter and directing the owner to the planning board for relief regarding uses that fall outside typical bookstore activity.

Separately, the council reviewed an environmental commission inspection of the Thompson Tract after earth‑moving equipment from a neighboring property (37 Ridge Road) left a mound of brush and debris on borough property. The adjacent property owner told council he had been clearing storm damage and did not intend to place material on borough land; he offered volunteer equipment and help for park trail clearing. The borough issued a cease‑and‑desist for immediate removal and indicated Public Works will coordinate cleanup; volunteers and conservation partners may be engaged to assist.

Council members thanked planning‑board members and others who assisted with planning materials elsewhere on the agenda and noted more correspondence and follow‑up will occur with the bookshop owner on the special‑use requests.