Richmond Select Board Continues Balderdash Permit Hearing, Approves Burial Requests

RICHMOND -- January 20, 2021, Richmond Select Board continues Balderdash farm permit hearing and approves family cemetery burial. The board voted unanimously to continue the public hearing on a special permit for Balderdash, a farm property whose owner Christian Hansen is seeking approval for farm function events and noise controls, after Town Counsel Elizabeth Goodman said proposals from Hansen's attorney Alex Glover arrived only hours before the January 20 meeting. Goodman told the board she expects the issues to be "ready for final discussion" at the February 10 hearing, provided attorneys deliver a draft at least three days in advance. The board also voted 2-0, with member Roger Manzalini recused, to approve cemetery burial rights for his two adult children who were Richmond residents for roughly 17 years. In selectman's matters, Manzalini flagged that the town collected just $1,400 in room tax last year and that Airbnbs are not currently registered or monitored, prompting the board to direct staff to research enforcement options under state law.