Nateva returns to happy hosts

OXFORD — Pottle Road resident Deb Wiles, who said that last year she was "quite ugly" about the prospect of 10,000 music-lovers converging on Oxford for the Nateva festival, is singing a different tune this year.

Her new opinion is more in harmony with that of Nateva promoter Frank Chandler.

"It went off the way he said it was," she told the Board of Selectmen on Thursday evening. "I'm here to say that I was wrong, and I'm not embarrassed to say I was wrong."

Wiles was not won over by the festival's themes of peace, love, and music, but by the strict attention to detail that was paid in managing negative consequences of the festival-goers.

"[Oxford Police Chief Jon Tibbetts]" and his crew did an absolutely wonderful job last year," said Wiles, who noted that officers frequently checked in on the welfare of Pottle Road residents during the festival.

The board unanimously approved a mass gathering permit for the festival, after a public hearing on the matter generated little discussion.

Despite her praise, Wiles did note that a larger police presence on Pottle Road could have prevented some shenanigans that occurred on the last night of the event. She reports that, last year's, a neighbor's bed of vegetables was vandalized, and someone set off a box of bottle rockets near the woodpile in her back yard. 

Town Manager Michael Chammings said that the festival had been a positive experience for the community.

"It did go off fairly flawless," he said, and while he noted that there were some minor problems, "but it's one of those live and learn things ... overall, we're pleased with it."

The permit allows for a mass gathering of up to 14,999 people, but Chandler says that the event will not be significantly bigger than last year.  The permit forms only allow applicants to choose between "up to 4,999" and "up to 14,999."

"I think it would be better for our event if we kept the numbers at 10,000 or less," said Chandler.