Who Should Run the Plymouth Farmers' Market?

Barbara Anglin has run the Plymouth Farmers' Market at Stephens Field for the past eight years, now there is a petition to change that. Selectmen have agreed to put out a request for proposals for new management of the market, which Anglin rings in every Thursday afternoon from March to October with a cowbell. 

Anglin does more than that of course. Managing the market means ensuring that a variety of fresh foods are available to customers and that a variety of farmers and producers get a chance to offer their goods. It means talking to farmers, negotiating with them, finding entertainment, ensuring the grounds are cleaned up after the market, ensuring the market is properly maintained under state guidlines, and dealing with many other issues.

However, Assistant Town Manager Melissa Arrighi says she's received some complaints about Anglin's managment and put together an RFP (request for proposal) that, among other criteria, would base the selection of a market manager  on the amount of money they can guarantee the town.

Anglin's supporters claim the timing of the RFP's release and its details as an effort to remove her from the market, and to change the rules in a way that would make the present operation untenable. Bids are due Jan. 26.

Anglin told the board Tuesday night that she would not bid to run the market and said her expertise is invaluable to running the market. Anglin ran a similar market in Cohasset before moving to Plymouth eight years ago.

Supporters of the RFP say that the town needs to set a policy for the use of public land, both Stephens Field and the lawn in front of the 1820 Courthouse are town property.

Anglin's supporters came out Tuesday night and asked selectmen to reconsider the RFP. A petition on Change.org has been signed by more than 300 people.