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Residents urge Bedford to change farmers-market 'no loitering' signs; vendors say safety drove the wording
Summary
Residents, vendors and ministers urged the town to reconsider aggressive wording on a farmers-market sign that some say discourages ministry and vulnerable residents; vendors and staff say the sign responds to repeated after-hours complaints and provides a discretionary enforcement tool.
Dozens of Bedford residents and vendors spoke to the council about new language at the downtown farmers market that some say reads as a threat of prosecution.
Jeremy Chapman, who was called by the mayor to speak on behalf of the market, said he supports keeping the market available for the public. “I just came here to see what's going on about, you know, Farmer Market... I ain’t never seen no drugs nowhere... I’ll be here to speak on behalf of the nation to keep it open for the people,” Chapman said.
Vendors emphasized community benefits. Nikki Clark said she walks to the market and values it as a community gathering place: “It just breaks my heart that y’all has it up there… I wish y'all just please take it down,” she said, urging removal of the sign’s more aggressive language. Jennifer Cohn, who identified herself as owner of Little Otter Flower Farm, said market operators changed the sign to keep the site safe and clean and proposed friendlier alternative language that would still remind visitors to respect the space.
Several speakers representing ministry or social services said the signage disproportionately affects vulnerable people who use the market’s picnic tables to rest. Wilson Brown, clergy at Saint John’s, said the signs are “aggressive” and “disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable among us.” Others suggested limiting time-based restrictions (for example, restricting loitering after dark) rather than a broad prohibition.
Council members said they hear both sides. Mayor Stanley and other members noted the signs were prompted by repeated complaints from nearby businesses about after-hours gatherings that created safety and maintenance issues; the signs provide a legal tool but enforcement is discretionary. The council expressed openness to reword the sign to make it more welcoming while preserving the town’s ability to address disruptive behavior.
Council did not adopt a policy change at the meeting; members said staff will revisit the sign language and return with options for softer wording and time-limited restrictions.
