BETHEL – Faced with either enforcing the town’s entertainment ordinance regarding a bar’s noise level, or doing nothing, selectmen Monday deferred enforcement until they get more information.
The board decided to form an ad hoc committee to review the current ordinance and suggest changes for a town meeting vote in June, Town Manager Scott Cole said Wednesday afternoon.
“I don’t see it as ignoring” the issue, Cole said of their decision.
“For a number of years, things have been OK, so selectmen were saying, Let’s not torque it down yet,'” he added.
At the board’s Nov. 21 meeting, Summer Street resident Janet Willie complained that The Funky Red Barn’s bar music was too loud. Bar owner Barry Hallett agreed with her.
The town’s ordinance states that a maximum output limit of 45 decibels at the property lines and street centerline adjacent to approved establishments is permitted. Anything above that is a violation.
But, selectmen wanted to know if any other establishment in town had high noise levels so as not to single out Hallett’s bar.
Cole said Wednesday that of the 15 liquor license holders, only four or five have on-premises entertainment.
“Several establishments were over the 45 decibels even without entertainment occurring,” said Cole, who used the town’s noise-level device to test each establishment.
“Since field testing started around Thanksgiving, there’s been noticeable changes with a little less output,” he said.
Selectmen did, however, authorize Cole to send a letter to all 15 establishments with liquor licenses notifying owners the town would resume enforcement of the entertainment ordinance in January. It hasn’t enforced it since the early 1990s, Cole said.
Liquor license applicants who indicate that dancing or entertainment are permitted on premises, are to now be required to apply for a special amusement permit at a fee of $150.
Cole said the town also reserves the right to enforce the ordinance at any time prior to license renewal.
Next month, selectmen are to advertise to fill the ad hoc entertainment ordinance committee. Then, on Jan. 23, appoint people to it.
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