Laryngitis Forces Postponement Of Four Town Fairgrounds Hearing

SOMERS, CT — A highly-anticipated public hearing concerning an appeal by neighbors of the Four Town Fairgrounds concerning off-season usage of the property was continued to next week by the Somers Zoning Board of Appeals, due to a case of laryngitis on the part of the attorney representing the petitioners.

Attorney John Parks, representing more than a dozen residents of Sunshine Farms Drive, Little Sorrel Lane and Country Fair Drive, was unable to speak during the Zoom meeting due to the affliction, and requested a continuation of the public hearing. Chairman Dean Hills called for a motion, and the board unanimously agreed to reschedule the hearing until Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.

Parks had filed a hearing application with the board on behalf of 12 named individuals, plus "several other residents who own property in the vicintity [sic] of 56 Egypt Road." The neighbors are opposed to a ruling last summer by Zoning Enforcement Officer Jennifer Roy, enabling the Union Agricultural Society of Somers, Enfield, Ellington & East Windsor, Inc. to continue renting the fairgrounds to outside organizations.

In a letter to society member Stu Grant dated July 1, 2020, Roy wrote, "After careful review of the documentation, and discussion with the Town Attorney, Carl Landolina, I have determined that such use of the property is a legal non-conforming use. Therefore, no Special Use Permit is required."

The practice of off-season rentals by outside organizations has been in operation since the society acquired the property in 1960, according to documents obtained by Patch.

Despite a proliferation of misinformation on social media outlets that the complainants are new residents moving into the area, a check of Somers property records indicates the persons named in Parks' appeal application have lived in the neighborhood for time periods ranging from seven to 30 years, with the most recent home purchase among those listed coming in 2013.

Over the past six decades, scores of events have taken place at the fairgrounds, ranging from annual gatherings to one-off affairs. Functions such as a circus, music festivals, wedding receptions , hike/bike fundraisers, car shows and family reunions have all been hosted there, and groups which have rented the facilities include the Hazardville Fire Department, the New England Doodlebug Association, the Pioneer Valley Appaloosa Association, Northeast Utilities, the Tri-City Vanners Club, Somers Girl Scouts, the New England Quarter Horse Association, the CT River Powwow Society, Enfield Rotary and the Somers Lions Club.

At a June 1, 2020 public hearing on the society's special use permit application, Parks and two neighbors spoke in opposition to the request. One said she "doesn't want to hear events every weekend," while another expressed concern about the ending time of events and the noise factor.

Society spokesman George Van Tasel said the Four Town Fair is not always profitable, and funds generated by off-season rentals of the property are essential to maintaining the existence of the fair.

"The Union Agricultural Society is very upset that a small few would try to shut down an 182-year tradition, enjoyed by thousands, the oldest fair in Connecticut and possibly the oldest fair in the country," Van Tasel told Patch. "They knew or should have known they were purchasing property next to a fairgrounds and the property was used for off-season rentals. There were signs posted, on the fence facing the subdivision and another on Egypt Rd."

Longtime Four Town Fair officer Janice Steinmetz wrote, "The Town Attorney hosted a meeting between the fair association and the attorney representing the five/six neighbors, in the vicinity of the fairgrounds. One of our volunteers, who has been involved with the fair since the '70s, was asked to join the meeting. The main complaint was the noise when events were being held on the fairgrounds, why now after 30 years?"

Evidence and documents for both sides of the dispute may be found here.

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