BETHEL – Selectmen unanimously approved a liquor license renewal for Backstage Enterprises LLC during a public hearing, but not without contention.

At issue was abutter Mark Egeberg’s letter complaining about noise, illegal parking, drunk and disorderly patrons long after closing, and bar-associated litter being dumped on his Mechanic Street property by patrons of The Backstage Lounge on Summer Street.

“This is not acceptable behavior in a residential area or anywhere else,” Egeberg stated in a Nov. 8 letter.

Egeberg, who was not present Monday night, stated in his Nov. 8 letter that the lounge’s smoking ban forces noisy patrons outside onto the front porch and into the parking lot.

Lounge owner Harry Faulkner agreed that the ban did force some patrons outside, but, he said, the ban has since been rescinded.

Now, patrons can go outside to smoke, but are not allowed to take their cocktails with them.

“I don’t know how much more considerate I can be of the neighborhood than I am now. I run as tight a ship as I possibly can,” Faulkner said.

Egeberg’s letter also cited illegal parking by patrons on Summer Street and in the NAPA auto parts store lot. Faulkner replied, saying NAPA gave him parking permission in 1987.

Faulkner, who has operated the lounge for 17 years, said that when he first opened, he conceded to selectmen that the lounge would close at 12:30 a.m. rather than 1 a.m.

He also said that he retrieves bar litter when he sees it on Egeberg’s property, but leaves redeemable beer cans and bottles for an elderly man to collect on Saturdays.

“We’re only talking about one night – Friday night – when we’re very crowded. Six days out of the week, it’s like a church,” Faulkner said.

Selectmen said they didn’t oppose granting Faulkner the renewal, but Selectman Stan Howe put Faulkner on notice, saying that he would be keeping an eye on complaints to police concerning the lounge.

A 5-0 vote OK’d the renewal.