By Buffy Calvert
On Monday evening April 11, Frank Winkler, Chair of the Andes Planning Board, opened the meeting with a moment’s silence and words of appreciation for the late Robbie Laing.
The Board then proceeded with a Public Hearing on the application of Alex Wilson and Irene Hussey of Wayside Cider to start producing cider and open a tap room in the barn on Redden Lane formerly owned by Bill Day. Wilson presented their plans to an audience made up principally of homeowners of properties contiguous to the site.
He distributed a site plan and rendering of the barn as it would look when sheathed with rough-cut lumber from a local sawmill, as well as rave reviews of their Wayside Cider from restaurants, distributors and critics: “Fresh wild apple flavors…of unusual refinement and complexity…” “One can sense with the first whiff, swoosh and sip that we have something distinctly of the earth…” “The Half Wild cider was a huge hit with our guests and staff.” Who knew? Hard cider sounding like fine wine!
Since they use only fresh apples —wild and from grafted stock— production is seasonal. Wilson and Hussey, currently located in Delhi, explored places to expand. They were attracted to Andes partly by the warmth and interest expressed by the residents. They look forward to bringing their craft to Redden Lane and plan to open a small tap room where the public can sample their cider, local cheeses and fresh breads.
Questions for clarification abounded. Traffic? Light. Music? Soft, acoustic. Water line? Will be installed. Sewer hook-up also. Everyone seemed to extend an enthusiastic welcome to these young entrepreneurs and their venture. The Planning Board promptly approved their application.
Next up, the Planning Board fielded a query from Sohail Zandi and his partner, proprietors of Brushlands restaurant in Bovina, into the possibility of their opening a snack bar in the ski lodge at Bobcat on Mount Pisgah. They want to give residents and tourists a chance to savor the majestic beauty of our hills while enjoying some food and drink. The idea would be to lease the property or a portion of it. The Planning Board decided they could waive the application for a change-of-use permit.
One member said happily at the end of the session, “Everyone’s coming to Andes!” ~