Viccaro raised an objection to a letter sent to nearby property owners claiming the application for "Best Market" at 45 and 47 River Rd. inaccurately described the project as a farmer’s market when, in reality, it was a grocery store.

Viccaro believed Bagel Bistro would have faced tough competition from Best Market, because the application included a deli area, complete with deli meats, hot food, a salad bar, soda, pastries, coffee, bagels and other goods one could find in a grocery store.

The area also included bar stools and a deli counter. Viccaro felt this was similar to the offerings at Bagel Bistro. "I’m not afraid of competition, but that’s not in the spirit of a farmer’s market," he said.

So Viccaro and Coput worked out a deal to eliminate the deli area and have an entrance in the rear to encourage patrons to park in the back, rather than on Viccaro’s property. "We felt taking those things out would alleviate parking up front," he said.

So instead of a deli, Coput decided to insert 1,800 square feet of space for professional offices in front of the store. Viccaro had no problem with the professional office space. "That was the landlord looking to make the best possible money on his investment," he said.

However, the planning board was not satisfied with this, as it would have added a need for four additional parking spaces. "As the result of a private agreement, the applicant changed the application to take out that 1,800 square feet and allocating that space as a professional office," said planning board attorney Charles Sarlo.

The board then proposed to either return to the original plan or eliminate the office space. Coput chose the latter and they amended application would make the entire property a farmer’s market.

"It worked out for both of us," said Viccaro. "And it has nothing to do with the town."