FARMINGTON — The owners of Front Street Tavern promised town officials Tuesday night that they would have a mandatory alcohol-servers class for employees in the near future to address police concerns about the number of alcohol-related incidents there.

Charles Williams and Bruce Hanson attended the Board of Selectmen’s meeting to hear concerns and address them.

Selectmen decided to take action also, voting unanimously to immediately change the way the town renews liquor licenses. All renewals of liquor licenses, along with new applications, will come before the board for a public hearing and approval.

Previously, new applications required a hearing but renewals were handled by the town manager with approval by the police chief and code enforcement officer.

Selectmen will also continue to monitor incidents prior to the tavern’s liquor license renewal.

“We’re concerned for you as a business and we’re concerned about you,” board Chairman Stephan Bunker said.

Prior to a previous license renewal, police Chief Jack Peck said he had some concerns and was advised by the state licensing board to document incidents for all establishments. These involved police stopping motorists suspected of driving under the influence and who said they had been at the bar.

After tallying statistics for 2012, Peck said he spoke with Town Manager Richard Davis and town attorney Frank Underkuffler about Front Street Tavern. A letter from the town was recently sent to the owners.

Twenty documented incidents involved patrons of the tavern, seven of which resulted in operating under the influence charges, Peck said. Another establishment had six incidents and another had one alcohol-related event. There were no incidents from other places that serve alcohol.

Unaware of the 20 incidents, Williams told the board he would like to go over each one with the chief, who agreed to talk with him.

Speaking for Williams and Hanson, attorney Paul Mills reminded the board there were no liquor violations within the business. These were off the premises, he said, suggesting some may have been turned away at the door, were disgruntled and may not have told police the whole truth when they said they were there.

Mills said the tavern has 20,000 customer visits a year. The business employs 11 who are “very conscientious,” he said. Without conducting blood tests or breathalyzers, there’s a margin for error during a quick assessment, but security does turn people away, he added.

Unable to attend the meeting, the tavern’s head of security, Timothy Koenig, taped an interview which Mills played for the board. A doorman for 29 years, Koenig said he shuts off five to seven people a night in the bar, which can see 88 to 102 patrons on a busy night.

Koenig said he has previously passed two of five sting operations set up by the local Police Department to test the bar’s security.

Partial owner of the building, Robert Sirois, suggested police might have higher incidents at other establishments if they did surveillance like they do on Front Street Tavern.

It could be a deterrent, Peck responded.

Bartender Amy Edwards suggested people from other establishments have gone through the tavern’s parking lot but they are not necessarily tavern customers. The University of Maine at Farmington parking lot is next to the tavern.

“I’m not looking to take anyone’s business,” Peck said. “It’s about public safety for the town of Farmington.”

abryant@sunjournal.com

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