HOWELL – Farmers and farming advocates have begun speaking up to the Howell Town Council regarding their concerns for their safety and ability to stay afloat.
At a recent council meeting, five members of the public addressed the council as farm owners, members of the farmer’s advisory committee, former farm owners or relatives of farm owners. They expressed concern about certain ordinances that they feel restrict their business.
“Suddenly, the town is concerned with overseeing every aspect of the farming business, claiming it for safety reasons,” said RoseMarie Burd, a previous farm owner and member of the public. “We question what safety issues [caused concern]. There was none reported. All of us carry farm insurance that protects ourselves from any accidents that may occur.”
One of the specific ordinances that are a main issue for these residents include a ‘Special Occasion Event Ordinance,’ which allows the township to limit the number of attendees at certain farming events or provide other limitations. It is currently under mediation.
According to the farmers, this ordinance majorly impacts their financial stability. Their public events provide supplemental finances that are used to pay bills during the winter off season.
“We do need these [events], whether you consider them special events, workshops, Girl Scout trips, whatever we’re doing, it’s always about supplementing the income,” said Theresa Reed, who filed mediation for the ordinance, in another public comment. “The way the ordinances are written, they give the town complete control. I hate to say it, but I feel like it’s Nazi Germany here. They are able to shut us down at any point in time.”
Also present at the council meeting was Matt Howard, director of community development, and Joseph Clark, township manager.
“Three ordinances have been put forward by administration to council, and all three of them, I think, would have been approved. We are in mediation of these ordinances, so I won’t say much, but we could’ve had a year of experiences to draw upon,” Howard said in response to the many public comments.
According to Clark, the township has been working closely with both the farmers and state to make sure all their ordinances are consistent with state law and county board requirements.
“A comment was made that ‘we can’t do anything unless we are permitted by ordinance,’ and that’s why we’re here,” Howard said. “If [something] is not in the ordinance and it’s not permitted, that’s the law. We have ordinances. If we’re not going to follow them, nobody is going to follow them.”
“The comment was made that the township wants to go carte blanche and be able to do anything. No, the township wants to enforce their ordinances. Whether it’s the number of people attending, the setup for attendance, a site plan setup for lighting or noise, the township wants to be able to enforce those,” Howard said. “What the group of people that are talking about this ordinance [are looking for] is carte blanche on their side.”
Council members that were present for the meeting with additional comments included Councilman Fred Gasior and Councilwoman Susan Fischer.
“The whole, ‘[council] doesn’t care’ thing – that’s not correct. We told [the board], ‘try to give them as much as you can, but don’t put the town at risk, don’t violate any laws or regulations.’”
Gasior and Fischer also spoke about meetings between the community development board Farmers committee, where they were both under the impression things were going well.
“I was in awe that the township would actually collaborate at such lengths with the citizens. My understanding was that that didn’t necessarily even have to happen. The collaboration has been ongoing,” said Fischer.
While the ordinance is still currently in mediation, the comments from the public and board will be documented and taken for consideration.
“We are not going to pass ordinances that are being challenged, and that’s where we are right now. We are trying to create a streamline site plan approval process so there is less cost but still maximum protection for citizens,” Clark said.
