Opposition to Vernon concert site presents its case

By Suzanne Carlson
Journal Inquirer
Published: Friday, February 26, 2010 12:15 PM EST

VERNON — Nearly two dozen people presented orderly opposition to the proposed TicketNetwork Forest concert venue during a Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing Thursday.

The hearing will continue March 3 and a vote is expected March 11.

Jonah Sacks, an acoustic engineer with Acentech Inc. in Cambridge, Mass., began Thursday by reviewing the acoustic study conducted by a TicketNetwork consultant that included a simulated concert event in the fall of 2009.

In two letters submitted to the PZC, Sacks said the studies included “errors and misleading or inappropriate assumptions,” and failed to “demonstrate that the proposed concert events will have little or no impact on the surrounding residential neighborhood.”

Noise was a concern brought up by several speakers, including two businessmen from the Exit 66 Professional Building at 76 South Frontage Road, who were at work on the day of the simulated concert event.

Lawyer David Marder said the music was “deafening,” and he could not continue work with a client.

TicketNetwork’s lawyer Dorian Famiglietti has said they were not concerned with noise reaching the offices, because the building won’t be open during concerts.

But, Marder said, “there seems to be an assumption we close our office at 5 p.m. in the summer. We don’t.”

Michael Blezard, an accountant who also has an office in the building, agreed with Marder about being interrupted during the simulated concert. Both men said they called police, who eventually shut down the test.

Former Conservation Commission Chairman Sheryl McMullen of Bolton Road criticized TicketNetwork for not submitting a business plan as requested by PZC member Watson C. Bellows.

Further, McMullen said she calculated the tax assessments of residences surrounding the concert venue, using information from the town assessor’s office, and figured the town would lose millions in property tax revenue if the venue is built.

That’s contrary to information in a statement from TicketNetwork that used an online calculator tool designed to estimate the economic impact of nonprofit arts organizations.

“It’s pretty clear that this application would have a decrease in property values. We’re definitely a nature-type town. That’s our claim to fame, that’s why people move here,” she said.

Lynda Morhardt of Valley Falls Road spoke on behalf of Edward Clark, who lives on a Valley Falls Road farm that has been in the Clark family since the 1800s.

Clark’s property abuts the TicketNetwork parcel, and he has been out of town for recent hearings, Morhardt said.

“Vaccaro tried to buy Mr. Clark’s land and Ed said, ‘No,’” Morhardt said, charging that “Mr. Vaccaro drained a wetland onto Ed’s property and then cried foul when Ed complained about it.”

Thursday’s lone speaker in favor of the project was Charity Holter of West Main Street.

Holter said she recently moved to Vernon from a rural town in Pennsylvania with a large football following that attracts crowds of 5,000 to 6,000 people every Friday night.

“There’s no highways, there’s only one way out of town, and somehow the people managed this and everyone enjoys it,” she said. “I know I have great memories of hearing loudspeakers in town, with the games and the crowds and the cheering.”

She added that if her hometown can handle traffic of thousands, “The very capable and friendly residents of Vernon would be able to do the same.”

The public hearing will continue next week, followed by a meeting March 4 for TicketNetwork to provide for rebuttal. Town staff said the PZC is expected to deliberate and vote on the application during a special meeting March 11.