Houlden Farm attempts to fix liquor license problem after ABCC ruling

The owners of Houlden Farm thought they found a workaround to their liquor license problem: their Sunflower Shanty is now under a new owner and will not share profits with the farm.

Attorney John Connell told the Select Board Tuesday that the farm would benefit by the Shanty attracting customers to buy food, products, and other amenities, while manager Sandra Foys holds the licenses to extend business.

The Houldens ran into difficulties with state the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission back in June, which ruled that the farm was improperly using repeated 30-day liquor licenses to run the business. Since they now would not directly benefit, Connell explained, he believed Foys could apply for a new license.

The idea hit a few speed bumps: not only did Foys not provide proof of insurance, but the wording of her application made it appear the farm was again the applicant.

“It’s hard to make the argument that it’s a different entity without changing the name of the business,” Town Administrator Evan Brassard said, citing concerns from Town Counsel Ginny Kremer.

“The board is afraid of being sued,” Select Board Chair Colleen Roy said.

Owner Trevor Houlden also came before the board about the farm’s music license, which has been a point of contention from several neighbors who have complained about the noise.

On May 31, Houlden had proposed “a temporary three-sided structure, lined on the interior walls and roof with sound dampening blankets to reduce the sound levels.” and asked for six weeks to build it.

That hasn’t happened. The music tent is surrounded by sound dampening blankets, which Houlden said is working, if a bit warm for the bands. He said multiple other duties running the farm have prevented the building of a more permanent structure.

“We didn’t say what you had to do. You came to us,” Select Board member Mat Often said. “We’re trying to be as flexible as possible and you have to meet us in the middle.”

Houlden suggested that he could pull up a hay wagon and throw the blankets on that to block the sound from the performance area.

Grafton Police have still received multiple complaints from neighbors every time a band performs, board members noted.

The Houldens will return before the board next Tuesday to discuss both the alcohol licenses and sound dampening.

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