Country Fair Renovations Stir Controversy

A motion to grant a special permit application to renovate the Country Fair in Medford was passed at the meeting on Monday, but not before local residents voiced their opinion on the matter.

Chairman Vincent Pascale announced the public could comment on motions that concerned them. Kurt and Doreen Thoden, residents of Granny Road for almost 40 years, took advantage of this to explain the excessive noise problem.

“The Country Fair, with their music and their activities, affects our quality of life,” Doreen Thoden said. “I’ve tried on the weekends to see if they can lower the music or change the direction of their speakers and I’ve gotten nowhere.”  

Country Fair Leasing LLC is looking to expand the outdoor area by adding a bigger patio section and a second floor rooftop dining section. It also seeks to improve the town road facade on Cedarhurst Avenue and create more parking.

Thoden said the seasonal activities in the outdoor area put a damper on her ability to enjoy her backyard and her neighbors agree. She also mentioned complaints from the neighborhood about Fair visitors using their street for an alternative route, causing unnecessary traffic.    

Mr. Shea, the lawyer representing Country Fair Leasing LLC, said that efforts will be taken to reduce the sound pollution and disturbances for the surrounding area and explained the reason for increased traffic.

“There was a detour because they were putting draining structures in, but that’s not going to happen again,” Mr. Shea said. “This is a new ownership group from the previous one, and it is our intention to ensure the public doesn’t have to come back to this Board to complain.”