MEXICO – Selectmen reversed a decision made two weeks ago and granted a liquor license to Clarence Tompkins for his Roxbury Road bar.

By a vote of 3-1, with Selectman Reggie Arsenault voting in the minority, the board gave the go-ahead for Tommy Guns Pit Stop to retain its license. But the action brought with it several stipulations that if broken, could be reason for license revocation.

Tompkins agreed to close use of the outside deck by 9 p.m. Noise coming from people on the deck has been a source of many complaints from neighborhood residents. He also will not seek to renew his live entertainment special amusement permit, and he agreed to lower the bass volume on the jukebox located inside the bar.

A fourth requirement calls for Tompkins, or someone designated with appropriate authority, to make sure people leave the premises quietly when the bar closes at 1 a.m. or to quiet down any customers who make noise outside the building at any time.

The town’s lawyer, Geoffrey Hole of Portland, said the town could attempt to revoke the liquor license through the district court system if any of the agreements were broken. He said such a procedure could take about two months.

The vote followed nearly three hours of public comment, a closed session, opinions from the town’s lawyer, and Tompkins’ lawyer, Paul Dumas of Mexico.

The board, on May 12, had unanimously denied the license request. Tompkins was not present at that meeting; he did, however, appear at Wednesday’s session.

Michael Mann said the town had fought a similar battle in the past, and lost, when the bar was under different ownership. At that time, a decision by the board to deny a liquor license was overturned by the state.

“We don’t want to spend taxpayers’ money,” he said.

Hole said the town’s case may be different this time because 32 written police reports had been gathered, documenting complaints against the bar.

Neighbor Linda Collins has complained about loud noises coming from inside and outside the bar during very late hours. She also complained of beer bottles having been thrown in her driveway or in neighboring driveways or lawns.

Another neighbor, Julie Burgess, said bar patrons have sometimes shouted obscenities at her children as they rode their bicycles past the building.

[email protected]