Residents accuse outside influence in code-enforcement visit and raise enforcement concerns ahead of Bridal Vibes festival

Residents used the meeting’s public-comment period to raise two separate enforcement concerns: an alleged improper influence on a codes-enforcement visit to a farmstand and the town’s capacity to enforce site-plan conditions at a large, weekend music festival when the codes officer is on vacation.

Deborah Bridal told the board that in late June the codes officer visited ABC Farmstand, “walked past a posted sign, took pictures, peered through the windows” and that the visit was prompted by someone not acting as a town official. Bridal asked the board to investigate whether the officer was being influenced and requested an audit of procedures now that the town has granted the codes officer enhanced authority under a recent local law. “I really am asking the board to look into this,” Bridal said.

Board members responded that the codes officer does have authority to inspect properties under state law and that what generated the visit (the underlying complaint) could be questioned, but they did not dispute that the visit occurred. One board member said Tim, the codes officer, will reply in writing to formal complaints but is not obligated to respond to repeated follow-up letters from the same complainant.

Separately, resident Lisa Mize said she and others were concerned about the Bridal Vibes Music Festival planned for the coming weekend. Mize cited an apparent lack of posted planning-board minutes, said she filed a FOIL request that found no pending litigation, and asked whether a newly passed local law has been filed and is in effect. “We deserve to know what authority the town will rely upon this weekend,” Mize said.

Meeting participants said Tim had sent a “notice of expectation” to the event applicant, Dan Palladino, but that Tim is on vacation this week. Several speakers said a stage had already been built without planning-board approval and that sound checks suggested the music would exceed the expected decibel limits. One resident noted enforcement is easier when the codes officer personally observes a violation rather than relying on hearsay and suggested options such as a temporary appointment or requesting assistance from a neighboring town’s officer.

A board member who reviewed New York town law noted that when a codes officer is unavailable the board can appoint a temporary codes enforcement officer or request a neighboring town’s officer step in. The board asked staff to follow up and said complaints will be pursued if violations occur during the event.

What’s next: Board staff will be asked to confirm whether the local law has been filed with the state, provide copies of any notices sent to the festival organizer, and identify options for temporary enforcement while Tim is unavailable.