White’s Landing permit delay resolved after Board of Health review
BROOKFIELD — A long-established seasonal business in town will be able to open on schedule after a delay in its annual Board of Health permit prompted discussion at a recent public meeting.
White’s Landing, which has operated in Brookfield for approximately 25 years, had its permit held up this season following an inspection — the first time, according to the owner, that such an issue has arisen.
The matter was brought before the Board of Health at a recent meeting, where members ultimately voted to allow the business to operate while outstanding questions are reviewed.
A longtime business encounters an unexpected hurdle
For the owner, the delay came as a surprise given the business’s history.
“We’ve been here for years and never had a problem,” she said during the meeting. “This is our livelihood.”
In prior years, the permitting process had proceeded without issue. This season, however, the owner said she was informed that her permit would not be issued, but was not initially provided with a clear explanation.
With the opening of the season approaching, the uncertainty created concern about whether the business would be able to operate on time.
“All they had to do was ask”
The owner said the most difficult part of the experience was not knowing what was required to resolve the issue.
She described being told that the permit was being held up, but not what specific documentation or steps were needed.
“All they had to do was ask me for the documents,” she said. “I have everything.”
She described herself as a meticulous record keeper and said she maintains documentation related to her operations, including prior testing and compliance records.
Without clear guidance, she said, the situation became increasingly frustrating.
Water testing questions raised
The issue was ultimately tied, at least in part, to questions regarding water testing.
The owner said she had already completed testing and had documentation available. In a follow-up conversation, she described contacting the testing company to better understand the results.
“They started explaining it in technical terms, that I did not understand” she said. “So I asked them, what does that mean?”
According to the owner, she was told the results met a high standard.
“In layman’s terms, they told me my water is so clean it could be holy water,” she said.
She also said she was informed at one point that the matter may involve state-level considerations, though she said she was not provided with specific documentation outlining what was needed.
Issue brought before the Board
With the permit still unresolved and the season approaching, the owner addressed the Board of Health during a public meeting.
Board members heard directly from her regarding the delay and the lack of clarity surrounding the process.
Following discussion, the Board voted to allow White’s Landing to open for the season while any remaining questions are reviewed.
Board cites transition and ongoing improvements
Board of Health Chair Christina Predella said the situation comes during a period of transition.
She said the Board has been working to improve communication and transparency with regional public health partners and local businesses.
Predella noted that recent changes — including the onboarding of the Leicester Regional Public Health Collaborative and the training of new agents — have contributed to delays in some processes.
“We recognize that this can be frustrating for applicants and businesses,” she said.
Predella said the Board is focused on improving consistency, clarity, and timeliness moving forward, and emphasized a collaborative approach.
“Our goal is always to balance public health responsibilities with a solution-oriented approach for our community,” she said.
Preparing to open
With the permit now approved, White’s Landing is preparing for the upcoming season.
The business, a long-time fixture in the community, offers a range of seasonal amenities, including lunch and light fare, coffee, kayak rentals, and a selection of small goods and lake-related items. The owner also prepares a variety of homemade baked goods and coffee items.