At its April 10 meeting, the Stanford Town Board introduced a new Right-to-Farm law that would create an agricultural overlay district across Stanford and establish a local mediation process for disputes involving farming operations.
Local Law #4 of 2025, introduced unanimously by resolution, was described by Town Attorney Robert Butts as “largely the product” of the zoning commission. “It of course protects farming operations,” Butts said, noting that the law also “requires various disclosures to people who are buying property in the town that may be located within 500 feet of agricultural operations — that they are subject to the activities that take place on the farm including noise, odors, and everything else.”
The law aligns the new overlay district with the county’s existing agricultural district. It also sets up a local venue for resolving conflicts involving farms — “where there is really more knowledge and sensitivity to local issues,” Butts said — rather than requiring disputes to be referred to the state agriculture commissioner in Albany.
The law, 16 pages in length, consolidates and codifies several provisions currently scattered throughout the town’s zoning code, including regulations for operations like poultry farming. The board said it intends to post the law on its website. A public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. on May 8.
The Town Board also introduced its intent to create a Water Quality Plan, to asses the quality and security of the town’s water supply.
The plan is being spearheaded by board member Julia Descoteaux, who seeks to establish a committee to organize comprehensive testing and documentation of water quality across Stanford’s aquifers, wells, and waterways. “We want a broad swath of people and neighbors who would reach out to people and say we want to test your water,” she said, adding that she is meeting with the nonprofit organization Riverkeeper next week to discuss potential collaboration.
“We’re just at the beginning,” Burton said. “We will be rolling it out, and that’s what’s so exciting.”
The study will test for E. coli, iron oxide, bacteria, and minerals, among other contaminants. The initiative aims to collect at least 50 samples across the municipality.
In other business, the board voted unanimously to recognize June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Stanford. Deputy Supervisor Nathan Lavertue read a resolution that affirmed the town’s support for LGBTQ+ residents and emphasized the need for education and awareness to combat prejudice.
The board also passed a motion in a 5-0 vote to raise a Pride flag outside Town Hall on June 6, where it will remain for two days.
The board also reviewed a slate of upcoming events. The summer camp is still accepting registrations and an assistant director is still needed. The annual Easter egg hunt will take place at Stanford Rec Park on April 19. On April 26, the town will host a roadside cleanup day, with compost bins distributed. The first composting workshop is scheduled for April 29 at Town Hall, where 40 bins will be made available.
A previously scheduled public hearing on Stanford’s proposed short-term rental regulations has been postponed until further notice, following a state-issued extension that gives municipalities more time to adopt their own laws before statewide rules take effect.
The next Town Board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on May 8.