NORWICH – A proposal to have two summertime farmers’ markets in East Park in Norwich, one on Wednesdays and another on Saturdays, was turned down following a long debate among county officials Tuesday.

Vital Vittles, the nonprofit organization that oversees the winter time Norwich Farmers’ Market at the Morrisville State College Norwich campus, sought authorization from the county Agriculture, Buildings and Grounds Committee to use the county-owned East Park for a summertime market on Wednesdays throughout the season. But opponents said another market in the park may conflict with the newly remodeled Saturday market, resulting in two competing markets – an unfriendly business model that county officials had hoped to stay away from.

Since 2010, participation at the summertime farmers’ market in East Park, which has traditionally run every Wednesday and Saturday, has dwindled. In an effort to revive the market, the county put the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) in control and authorized that $5,000 be given to the BID for administrative costs.

The BID then formed the Bullthistle Farmers’ Market, scheduled to open every Saturday starting in late May. According to the BID, success of the market is contingent on being held one day per week. The organization argued that two farmers’ markets would only stifle one potentially thriving market.