Camp Current’s Future in Limbo, Food Trucks Finally Approved, Church Signage Moves Forward
Farmington’s Town Plan and Zoning Commission (TPZ) convened on Monday, February 24, 2025, for a meeting loaded with decisions, delays, and detailed debate. At the heart of the evening’s discussions was a special permit request from Camp Current—a historic, free summer camp hoping to host private events to support its funding.
The commission also gave the green light to food trucks, approved new signage for two local churches, and weighed in on several future development applications.
Churches Get New Signs Amid Parish Merger
The evening’s first major item saw Reverend Matthew Gorak of Our Lady of Knock Parish (formerly St. Patrick’s Church and St. Mary Star of the Sea Church) present a signage replacement request for both locations. The request came after the two churches merged administratively, necessitating new signage while preserving their historic names.
The commission unanimously approved:
✔ A new sign at St. Patrick’s Church (110 Main St.), designed to match the original as closely as possible.
✔ A sign at St. Mary’s (145 Main St.), made slightly smaller (under six feet) and featuring a gray/white color scheme to complement the existing architecture.
✔ A black aluminum safety fence to enclose an HVAC system at St. Patrick’s, addressing a steep drop-off near a retaining wall.
💬 Commissioner Bob Canto, reminiscing about the church’s history, commented:
“Hate to see the name go, but glad you put it at the bottom. It’s where I got married.”
Reverend Gorak assured the commission and parishioners that while the administrative structure had changed, both St. Patrick’s and St. Mary’s will remain fully operational under the new parish.
Camp Current’s Event Permit: Support, Skepticism & Delay
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to Camp Current’s proposal to host private events at its facility at 96 Batterson Park Road. The camp, which has been at this location since 1963, is the oldest and largest free summer day camp in the U.S., serving 750+ children each summer at no cost to families.
To sustain its funding, Camp Current requested a special permit to host a variety of events, including:
- Small indoor corporate meetings (10-40 people).
- Outdoor corporate retreats or birthday parties (25-50 people).
- Larger outdoor gatherings at its main pavilion (100+ people).
- Six major annual events, including its signature fundraiser, Buddy Bash, which draws 500+ attendees.
Concerns Over Noise, Traffic & Impact on Neighbors
While commissioners supported the camp’s mission, they hesitated over event frequency and potential disturbances to nearby residents.
💬 Commissioner Bruce Polsky acknowledged the need for funding, but questioned whether too many events could negatively impact the neighborhood:
“We want Camp Current to succeed. But we also want to make sure we aren’t introducing something that ends up being disruptive.”
💬 Resident Sarah Andlin, who lives at 42 Two Mile Road—a property directly abutting the camp—supported the proposal, saying:
“What would be more concerning is if they weren’t successful and had to sell the property for development.”
Traffic & Noise Considerations
Camp representatives assured the commission that the majority of events would be small, low-impact corporate gatherings.
Attorney Ryan Hoiler, representing Camp Current, stated:
“The only major outdoor event is Buddy Bash, which we’ve hosted for years without a single noise complaint.”
In response to concerns about amplified sound, Camp CEO Corianne Cipello clarified:
“We have strict event policies—no loudspeakers outside of the designated pavilion, all events end by 10 PM, and we follow the town’s noise ordinance.”
However, commissioners requested additional details before voting:
✅ A breakdown of events by size and type.
✅ Clarification on whether local athletic fields (soccer, baseball) would be rented to external organizations.
✅ Additional details on lighting and traffic flow for larger events.
As a result, the commission delayed a vote, keeping the public hearing open until March 10.
Food Trucks Finally Legal in Farmington 🚚
After years of debate, Farmington will officially allow food trucks—but with strict guidelines.
Newly approved regulations for food vendors in C1 and CR zones include:
✔ Must be on private property with an active business—no abandoned-lot setups.
✔ 500-foot buffer from restaurants (unless granted permission).
✔ Operational hours: 8 AM–8 PM, seven days a week.
✔ Strict signage and lighting rules—no flashing lights, excessive banners, or massive A-frame boards.
✔ No amplified music or PA systems.
💬 Food truck owner Eric Stagel, of Kraft Bird, welcomed the change:
“I’ve had customers from Farmington driving to other towns just to find me. Now, I can serve them right here.”
Originally, the proposal required each food truck to provide a portable restroom, but the Economic Development Commission pushed back, arguing it would be a financial burden and unnecessary. The commission agreed, removing the requirement.
Assistant Town Planner Garrett Daigle emphasized that this regulation only applies to permanent mobile food vendors, not trucks at public events like Dream Ride or the Tungsis Carnival.
Upcoming Applications & Other Town Business
Two more applications were accepted for review with hearings scheduled for March 24, 2025:
📌 Ashley Chapman seeks a special permit to operate a home-based cottage food bakery at 46 Hillside Avenue.
📌 The Town of Farmington has requested a special permit to process raw wood for municipal benches, fences, and railings at 8750 Roma Drive.
Meanwhile, the commission reappointed David Quisenberry and Miles Brown to the Architectural Design Review Committee for another three-year term.
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