ALTAMONT — This summer, Altamont residents may travel less to get fresh produce.

Mayor James Gaughan announced at a village board meeting earlier this month that he is organizing a small farmers’ market to begin this summer in Altamont. Though the dates are unsure, the market will take place beneath the awning of the old train station in the center of the village. The Altamont Free Library, which owns the train station, is donating the space.
Gaughan calls this first year a "pilot which we should carefully nurture." If the event is successful, he said, the village could make it larger for subsequent years.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets funds farmers’ markets throughout the state. Based on the village’s performance this year, Gaughan said, the state may agree to pay for future markets in Altamont.
"We also do not want inadvertently to cause parking problems for other businesses in town by starting so big," Gaughan told The Enterprise.

Altamont’s first vendors are Jim and Cindy Barber. The Schoharie County farmers were displaced from their stand in Stuyvesant Plaza, in Guilderland, when a produce store opened up there. Gaughan said he contacted the Barbers after reading about them in a local newspaper.
"They have agreed to come," Gaughan said. "What we’re negotiating now is what days."

Gaughan said he would try to schedule the market at least weekly, on Saturdays. Mr. Barber told The Enterprise he’s planning to sell his produce three days a week in Altamont—Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
"We find that it’s better to go a few days during the week so people can get what they want," he said.

The Barbers will also have stands on McKownville Road in Guilderland and at Verstandig’s Florist in Delmar.

The Altamont farmers’ market will probably start after June 29, the date of the Pigtacular Pignic in the Park, a Guilderland Chamber of Commerce event, and run through the fall, Gaughan said. Other vendors who have expressed interest include Altamont Orchards and Bella Fleur, the mayor said.

Other business

In other business at the May 2 meeting, the Altamont Village Board:

—Approved a resolution to draw $41,020 from the police car reserve fund to pay off loans for Ford Explorer police cars and buy a new police car;

—Established a Public Works Water Equipment Reserve Fund and a Public Works Sewer Equipment Reserve Fund;

—Approved spending up to $11,000 to fix the roof of the firehouse;

—Authorized Gaughan to apply for a grant from the State of New York Unified Court Assistance Program for a court recording system and customized court furniture; and

—Adopted, as required by state law, the New York State Office of Cyber Security and Critical Information Coordination Policy.