The Old Rochester Regional School Committee denied a request from Running Brook Vineyard & Winery to sell wine at the Old Rochester Summer Farmers’ Market that takes place at the ORR school grounds on Tuesday afternoons June through October.
The winery received state approval to sell its wine products at farmers’ markets; however, venues and towns maintain the right to approve or deny the request. On May 11 during the school committee meeting, Superintendent Doug White expressed his own concerns about selling wine on school property.
“The time of day that they’re trying to do this,” said White, “there are still students on the grounds. For me, having alcohol on the school premises when we still have school activities and things going on is a little concerning … I’d be cautious to go down this path to do that at this particular time. But it is up to you as a school board…”
Right away, School Committee member Cynthia Johnson opposed the idea.
“I would not support the proposal to sell wine at the farmers’ market for just the reasons that Superintendent White articulated,” Johnson said.
Vice Chairman Cheryl Hebert concurred. “I think it could pose a risk.”
“It’s a lovely farmers’ market,” said Johnson. “Certainly, there are lots of opportunities for people to sample and purchase wine outside the ORR facilities.”
Johnson made a cumbersome motion in the negative to not authorize the request to sell wine, which generated some discussion before a vote, including modifying the request to allow the wine for school vacation months only.
“I think it’s really confusing to say you can do it this time but not that time,” said Hebert. “For me, it’s you can do it or you can’t do it.”
Committee member Tina Rood supported allowing the restriction of selling wine for the month of July only, saying, “You can try it out, see what happens,” she said. “There are no students here in July.”
White interjected, clarifying that the winery not only wished to sell its wine, but also provide samplings of wine.
“To think that you have open liquor or wine on the premises of a school,” said White. “It would be one thing if it were never opened and it was here, but I think you start to get some concern about the fact that people would actually be sampling it on your grounds.”
Rood replied, “It’s probably not the right fit because we have policies against alcohol on the premises so it’s just not worth it.”
Johnson rephrased her motion to deny the request, which passed in a 4-2 vote, with Ouellette and Peter LeBrun opposed to denying the request.
The next meeting of the Old Rochester Regional School Committee is scheduled for June 8 at 6:30 pm in the ORRJHS media room.
By Jean Perry