Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Events topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lamson Farm Commission reviews drop in attendance, flags insurance gaps and financial pressure
Summary
The Lamson Farm Commission on Oct. 2 reviewed Lamson Farm Day 2025 attendance and finances, approved meeting minutes and the treasurer’s report, and recommended adding a line item at the next Town Meeting for supplemental insurance after identifying coverage gaps; commissioners said 300–350 chicken-plate sales are needed to break even.
Zoe Fimbel, a member of the Lamson Farm Commission, opened the Oct. 2 meeting in the Community Room at the Fire Station and led a review of Lamson Farm Day 2025, which commissioners said drew fewer attendees than in prior years.
Commission member Frank Oudheusden told the group that chicken-dinner sales suggested a downward attendance trend. Treasurer Kevin Pomeroy reported that Frank collected about $2,800–$3,000 in cash from chicken-dinner sales, which included a $500 starting float. Commissioners discussed outreach changes — including mailing postcards, earlier sign placement, and using the police department’s portable highway signs — to broaden promotion beyond social media.
Kathy Fitzgerald’s emailed recap noted shortages of baked beans (13 batches supplied versus an ideal 18) while coleslaw and cornbread quantities were adequate; several leftover pies were reported. Commission members said servers requested trivets to prevent spilled beans from melting plastic tables and noted that several take-home meals were delivered to local elderly residents.
On onsite programming, the Recreation Department’s activities and a living-history area drew positive attention. Commission members said a baby calf display (nicknamed Popcorn) and barn attractions were popular, but crowd control for children near the calf stall and clearer signage were needed. Warren Clay and others reported traffic problems where attendees exited the parking field toward Lamson Road, and commissioners flagged that the absence of MV police presence contributed to muddled vehicle flow and disrupted hay rides.
Frank Oudheusden reported reading the town’s Primex insurance policy (about 240 pages) and finding coverage gaps for certain event elements, including foodborne-illness exposure, the barrel-ride attraction, the calf exhibit and a black-powder musket demonstration. He said supplementary insurance from Cross could cover those exposures but would likely cost “several thousand dollars.” Oudheusden and Zoe Fimbel said they raised the issue with the selectmen, who encouraged the commission to create a dedicated line item and present it at the next Town Meeting for a vote.
Commissioners also discussed basic capital and safety improvements: newly donated stone steps for a barn entrance, need for a railing on interior barn stairs, repairs to a rough driveway at the stonewall gate, adding an electric service panel for north-barn functions, and hard-wiring the alarm system (the alarm company cannot perform the hard wiring). Kevin Pomeroy noted he will send two donation/thank-you payments: $500 to the Fire Department and $250 to the Stone Trust.
The commission approved the September minutes (motion by Earle Rich, seconded by Kevin Pomeroy) and accepted the treasurer’s report (motion by Earle Rich, seconded by Wayne Sleeper); both votes were recorded as unanimous among the eight commission members present. Kevin Pomeroy moved to adjourn at 8:45 p.m.; Frank Oudheusden seconded and the motion passed.
The commission set its next meeting for Nov. 6, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the same Community Room.
