MECHANIC FALLS – Neighbors of the recently opened Longbranch Family Buffet and Saloon are complaining about loud and lewd activities going on outside their windows.

“We went to all the Planning Board meetings, and we said we didn’t want a bar there,” said Peter Ford. “I’m not trying to shut anyone down, but what’s going on there is not what they were approved for.”

Ford made his complaints official before the Town Council during Monday’s regular meeting. Council members made no decision Monday but suggested that the restaurant’s owners return to the Planning Board with an amended business plan.

John Lovely, who co-owns the Longbranch on Lewiston Road near the edge of town, said he opted not to attend the council meeting in order to avoid confrontations with his neighbors.

“I’m not going to get into a screaming match with anyone,” said Lovely, who also owns Kathy’s Diner downtown with his wife. “I’ll go back to the Planning Board, and I’ll do what they want me to do.”

Ford and other neighbors on Monday brought up several examples of objectionable conduct that occurred on Easter Sunday. They complained of half-clothed females and motorcycles revving in the parking lot and alleged illegal activities.

Lovely said that the restaurant was closed that day, and that he had catered a private party.

“That was my fault,” said Lovely. “I let my guard down that day. We’re not going to do any more parties.”

Lovely explained that the bar end of the business draws more people and makes more money than does the restaurant. The original plan was to offer a full buffet of high-end menu selections. The idea failed for a couple of reasons, according to Lovely.

“This is a meat and potatoes kind of town, and people around here aren’t going to spend $8, $9, $10 a plate,” said Lovely. “Plus the chef was awful, and the food was awful.”

Lovely has since downscaled his restaurant to pizza while he continues to work on the restaurant’s physical and culinary offerings.

In the meantime, the single pool table and arcade golf machine have to go because the games were not approved in the original permit, said Lovely.

The owners never applied for an amusement permit from the Town Council that would allow games and live entertainment, said Town Manager Dana Lee. He said the code enforcement officer addressed the complaints the same day they were received.

“I understand that the restaurant is not making it,” said Peter Lothrop, who lives across the street from the restaurant. “But we’re seeing a pattern of behavior, and it’s only been a few months.”

The restaurant opened in January with the intentions of being a family friendly established, said Lovely. Neighbors said that they supported those intentions.

The Longbranch opens at 11 a.m. and generally closes about midnight. At 9 p.m. Monday, three patrons were in the bar section of the Longbranch. The restaurant side was empty.