Summary
Winery owner Charles Massoud and Farm Bureau director Bill Zalakar blasted the draft 31-page special events code for targeting farms with fees, penalties, and financial disclosures. The board says agriculture is being pulled out as the code is rewritten.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 24, 2026.
Impact analysis
Farmers warn new fees and penalties could hurt an industry that recirculates 65-70% of its income locally.
Residents and the town if a balanced events code supports both farms and community standards.
Farmers and wineries facing new fees, penalties, and audits under the current draft.
Mentions & discussions (3)
Town Board Work Session - Sep 24, 2026
A proposed law regulating private events and commercial event hosting on private property is still being reviewed by the Business Advisory Committee, which hasn't taken a position yet. The law would address traffic, parking, noise and sanitation impacts of events like venue weddings.
Town Board - Aug 18, 2026
Winery owner Charles Massoud and Farm Bureau director Bill Zalakar blasted the draft 31-page special events code for targeting farms with fees, penalties, and financial disclosures. The board says agriculture is being pulled out as the code is rewritten.
Town Board Work Session - Jul 23, 2026
The Town is drafting a law requiring permits for recurring private events like weddings on private property, with an 8-event annual cap (12 with a ZBA waiver). Councilmembers Waski and Kern want agriculture carved out entirely, and the draft is going back to the Ag and Business Advisory committees.
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