KEENE VALLEY — The Keene Town Council has authorized the Keene Farmers Market to open for the season this month.

The council voted 4-1 this past Thursday to allow the Keene Farmers Market to reopen for the season at Marcy Field in the hamlet of Keene Valley on May 31.

Councilor Robert Biesemeyer said many farmers rely on the market to sell their products.

“I think they deserve a chance (to open), and we should try it for a couple of weeks,” he said.

Councilor David Deyo cast the lone no vote. During the town council’s virtual meeting, he expressed concern over the safety of the market amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Deyo said he asked town attorney Deb Whitson whether, theoretically, she’d be comfortable hosting the market on her property — she said no. Based on that answer, Deyo said he wouldn’t be comfortable authorizing the market to open on town property and was worried about allowing it to reopen prematurely.

Town Supervisor Joe Pete Wilson Jr. said he was also hesitant to allow the market to reopen at Marcy Field at first, until he met with the market’s management and learned about the precautions that will be taken to mitigate the spread of the virus.

The market is expected to not have many of the amenities that it normally would — such as entertainment and places to sit and eat, according to Wilson. It’s also expected to have fewer vendors than normal, around 21 to 22.

“It’s just going to operate as, ‘Get your food, pick up your food, and go,'” he said.

Councilor Teresa Cheetham-Palen suggested the market also transition from cash transactions to card readers.

Wilson said he would check in with the market to ensure safety precautions are being taken, and he’d also check in with them regarding any violations or complaints reported to him.

“I think if we see any trouble, we can adjust it, and if it’s big, we can stop it,” Wilson said.

Farmers market manager Dick Crawford did not immediately respond for comment.