Stephen Forster – Granite Grok

Grafton…..and Henniker – Nothing but small town bullies

With Grokster Tim talking STBs (“Small Town Bullies”) in Grafton, and Grokster Steve has done yeoman’s work on reporting on the very sad tale of Stephen Forster’s farm and the power hungry Henniker based STBs that refuse to let a NH RSA get in their way to have their way (here, here, here, here, and here), this request for help needs to be put up. It is hard for the Individual to fight against Government at any level – the irony is that part of Stephen’s property tax money is being used to force him to abandon the fight to run his farm the way he wishes – just as NH’s RSAs allow him to do.

But uppity is uppity, and once up to that exalted state of being, uppity hates to have a down day, so the Henniker ZBA had doubled down. Seems to be that way with bullies no matter where they are found and what strata of society they worm into. So, Stephen is asking for assistance (emphasis mine):

STEPHEN FORSTER
FORSTER’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
349 Mt. Hunger Road, Henniker, NH 03242
Tel. (603) 428-8733 Cell (603) 496-0494
Email: sforster@mcttelecom.com

Dear Friends,

Re: Forster’s Christmas Tree Farm, Henniker, NH

Since February 7th, which was the rehearing to overrule the ZBA’s decision not to recognize Henniker’s zoning regulation and the State’s RSA 21:34-a that defines “Agritoursim,” we filed our final and last appeal to the ZBA on Wednesday, March 20th. Although our brief excellently defended and explicit in addressing the lame arguments made on 2/7, it was not unexpected when the ZBA denied us a rehearing after less than an hour of discussion and reinstalled the “cease and desist” against me for all activities.

Members Dr. Trivellini and Mr. Pagano were the only two people that interpreted RSA 21:34-a as intended by the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the Task Force who crafted this legislation. Member Leon Parker stated with respect to “ancillary” terminology that it is there for subjective judgment and that “some of us would make the judgment based on the amount of monies raised…” showing his intent to regulate and control the income that can be produced by a farm engaging in “Agritoursim.” That is contradictory to what the writers of the regulation meant it to be, and what has been outlined and permitted. The RSA allows other activity on a farm so that it can generate income in order to help the farm survive, as well as preserve the rural character of that farm.

Indeed – so WHAT if it is YOUR Property (you selfish person you!)?

Henniker ZBA says Screw RSA 21:34a

by Steve MacDonald

The Henniker ZBA has decided that state law does not apply to that particular bit of Henniker known as Forster’s Christmas Tree Farm. From Steve Forster: … We lost our argument on RSA 21:34a and Agritourism last night.. We plan to appeal and more than likely, on to a higher court.. The town still does … Read more

Stand With Stephen Forster & Forster’s Christmas Tree Farm (Again!) [Updated][Bumped]

by Steve MacDonald

(Originally posted yesterday morning 2-6-2013- but it’s important, and the meeting is tonight.)

The next Henniker zoning board meeting (Noooo-body expects the Spanish Inquisition) is this Thursday (tonight) at 7pm, and Steve Forster will once more be brought before the local arsitocray on the matter of the proper use of his property.

Forster’s Christams Tree Farm was cited by the town for engaging in activities defined as legal by the state (agro-tourism).

We’d like you to make the effort to get there, cameras and recorders in hand, to capture the event, and if you have the knowledge and the will to lend your support, not just to Steve, but for the right to the legal use of your property, please make the time to do that.

See this link as well for more details on how the Henniker ZBA (and committee fiefdoms all over the state) think they own your property.

Henniker New Hampshire’s Local Aristocracy Wants What They Want

by Steve MacDonald

Henniker NH Local battle with ZBA and town — Henniker NH – It’s Not All Pretty Picture Postcards

Back in November we reported that despite meeting all the legal requirements the town of Henniker had cited Stephen Forster of Forster’s Christmas Tree Farm with the illegal use of his property.

Typically, when such nonsense erupts it is to either punish a landowner for some perceived slight, or to help an abutter (or the town) get something they want.

Somebody still wants something. And it appears to have escalated. We’ve received reports that an intimidation campaign is underway against Dr. Bruce Trivellini who serves on the towns zoning board (ZBA).

Guest Post by Ken Eyring – Why the Henniker Zoning Board believes it owns your property

by Skip

“If someone else controls your private property, you do not own it.” – Skip Murphy. Six days ago, Steve had this post concerning the trouble that Stephen Forster (Forster’s Christmas Tree Farm) is in with the local zoning members concerning the way he wishes to use his own property (to hold weddings as “Agro-Tourism”, a perfectly legal use of his private property with respect to State law). He asked, in that post, that you go support Stephen keep his innate freedom to use his own land for his own purposes. Well, a bunch of people showed up with their virtual flashlights to show their support – and made the Henniker Zoning Board rather uncomfortable. You see, when we, the citizens, hold elected and unelected officials to account, they become very uncomfortable – they hate being held to account for things that they are not allowed to do. Here is the message from Ken concerning that meeting (emphasis mine):

Dear Friends,

Here is a link (at GovernmentOversite) to the Henniker Zoning Board meeting on Nov. 15th — and I urge you to watch and pass it onto others.

[Note from Skip – watch the closeups very carefully; see how uncomfortable they are, knowing that they are being watched because of their actions?]

Why? Because it represents the type of attack on our property rights that will be coming from elected people that don’t respect our Constitution — but have unfortunately been empowered to make decisions as to what we can and can’t do on our property.

As you view this video, you will find that it is painful to listen to the Zoning Board search for a reason to justify how they can place a restriction on Steve Forster regarding the usage of his farm property. The board’s struggle occurs after it is clear they agree that holding weddings on a farm (the issue at hand) is considered to be agri-tourism… and that agri-tourism is included in the definition of agriculture. The board also agreed that the practice of agriculture is allowed on a farm under state statute.

So where is the problem you ask? They wanted to overturn the citation that was issued — which threatened fines if Mr. Forster held any events, but at the same time… they wanted to attach restrictions even though the activity in question has been occurring on Mr. Forster’s farm since the early 80’s.

Stand With Stephen Forster & Forster’s Christmas Tree Farm

by Steve MacDonald

The Town of Henniker has cited Stephen Forster (Forster’s Christmas Tree Farm) with illegal use of his property. But State law provides that Mr. Forster may use his property for Agri-tourism, also known as “agriculture,” a legitimate use of the land. Henniker has apparently acknowledged this but will not rescind its citation unless they are … Read more