Licensing Board

Licensing Board Meeting 7/9/2020 - Minutes 1. Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 12:03 PM by Chairman Rogato 2. Roll Call Chairman Jim Rogato, Chief Kirk Beattie, Captain Al Graton, Captain Michael Finogle 3. Recording Secretary Hilary Young 4. Acceptance of minutes from previous meetings 5. Licensing Review 5.A. Continuation of July 1, 2020 meeting Chairman Rogato asked Anthony Santagate what has been done over the last week to reduce the sound. Anthony stated that he got a quote for insulation upstairs and he stated that he is going to move forward with it and it may take a couple of weeks. Anthony stated that the Assistant Planning Director asked him a few questions that he had noted down and that he offered for the Board to read. Chairman Rogato stated that he has no idea what questions were asked by the Assistant Director. Chairman Rogato asked Anthony if he had reached out to his neighbors over the Fourth of July. Anthony stated that Wade Burchell went around and measured dB readings and talked with some of the neighbors who stated that they were happy with the sound. He stated that he is using the stage behind Tower Hill stage and that he just turned down the volume. Anthony said he ordered foam pads to encase the back stage which should be installed by next weekend. Anthony stated that he cannot have bands or a DJ inside during Covid-19, but he can have karaoke inside. Chairman Rogato verified that they kept the windows down at Tower Hill, Megan responded with the windows were down except during the fireworks show so their customers could watch them. Chairman Rogato stated that going forward as a whole how they will need to peacefully co-exist and have to work together. What he would like to see is that the neighbors could contact them and for them to take it seriously. Dennis Golabiewski, stated that he recognizes that the Weirs has a bar district and that it needs to survive. He said that not all tourists staying in the cottages are here for the bar and that they are here for the lake. He stated that we should not be using the Fourth of July as a sound measurement. He also questioned whether the stages are a direct response to Covid and if they were going to be continued to be used forever. Dennis also stated that nobody came to speak with him over the weekend. Megan, from Tower Hill, stated that with the amount of people that showed up this weekend they were not able to make it to all the neighbors. They did adjust the sound levels this weekend and the purpose of the outdoor stage was in response to Covid. They did not use the stage behind Tower Hill this past weekend. They plan to use the stage for singles and duo's here and there and to use it for events such as Bike Week, Biketemberfest and etc. Full bands will be inside Tower Hill once the insulation, heat and a/c is installed. Megan, from Tower Hill, stated that with the amount of people that showed up this weekend they were not able to make it to all the neighbors. They did adjust the sound levels this weekend and the purpose of the outdoor stage was in response to Covid. They did not use the stage behind Tower Hill this past weekend. They plan to use the stage for singles and duo's here and there and to use it for events such as Bike Week, Biketemberfest and etc. Full bands will be inside Tower Hill once the insulation, heat and a/c is installed. Chairman Rogato asked if the Police Department had any concerns. Captain Finogle stated that there were no calls this past weekend, and they will have to see how it will progress going forward. Chairman Rogato asked Chief Beattie if he had any concerns. Chief Beattie wanted to verify that the sound boards had some sort of fire rating. Anthony will verify that it has some sort of firing rating. Robert Ames stated that the music coming from across the street was very loud. He did not see any difference in the level of sound and does not believe that the foam board will not do anything. Michael Ames stated that Robert had jazz bands last year where they were over powered by the noise coming from across the street. Megan stated that if the Ames came over to say it is too loud, we would turn it down, instead of coming to the Licensing Board. Chief Beattie asked Anthony in regard to him saying he took dB readings from this past weekend. Anthony did not recall what the readings were. Michael Ames stated that there is no enforcement and no consequences for excessive noise. This is why they stopped calling the police a few years ago because nothing would be done. Megan stated that Wade Burchell took the readings about 75 feet from the building and the reading was at 80 dB. Dennis Golabiewski stated the dB is just a reading and does not tell the whole story. Michael Ames stated that is the reason why in 2013 the site plan approval did not use dB readings. They used the 50 feet as the buffer and that was just for inside noise and not the outside noise. Something needs to be done about the outside noise. Chairman Rogato asked if Michael had any suggestions. Michael referred the question to Robert Ames. Robert stated to limit Anthony to having soloist and duo's with no drums. Rock bands are just too loud. Anthony stated that if these restrictions are put in to place, then everyone should also have these restrictions. Ethan Wood representing Brames Inc, stated that what needs to be addressed is whether or not the outdoor stages are in violation to the site plan approval. He stated that the current site plans do not show any sort of stage. Ethan Wood stated he does not believe the Board should approve the license unless Anthony goes through the approval for the stages at Tower Hill Tavern and The Big House. The Board believed that there was an admin approval for the stages recently because of Covid. Ethan Wood stated that if this were true, then maybe a time restraint on the music be put in place because of the complaints coming later at night. Captain Finogle stated that if these time restraints were in place, then that would also have to apply to Brames and their entertainment. He also stated that for the Police Department to go and ticket a business that is trying to thrive during this pandemic is controversial seeing as the complaints are from competing business.  admin approval for the stages recently because of Covid. Ethan Wood stated that if this were true, then maybe a time restraint on the music be put in place because of the complaints coming later at night. Captain Finogle stated that if these time restraints were in place, then that would also have to apply to Brames and their entertainment. He also stated that for the Police Department to go and ticket a business that is trying to thrive during this pandemic is controversial seeing as the complaints are from competing business. Dennis Golabiewski stated that he does not want to pester the Police Department every weekend regarding noise complaints. It was discussed how to move forward with noise complaints by neighbors. Chairmain Rogato asked Dennis if he could be the point of contact for the neighborhood and Dennis agreed and said he will contact Megan with concerns moving forward. Chairman Rogato spoke to Anthony regarding how to move forward. He will be installing insulation in a timely manner, and reaching out to neighbors. Joe Driscoll spoke to the Board questioning what happened to property owners rights. He stated what he believes in being a good neighbor. His number one complaint from customers over the past few years is the noise and it is just something that he cannot fix himself. Chairman Rogato stated to Anthony that he has heard the concerns from everyone and that he wants him to keep it down and the Board will see if they get any more complaints. Anthony believes there will be complaints this weekend, as they heard there was solicitation of asking people to call in complaints. 6. New Business 7. Other Business 8. Unfinished Business 9. Adjournment Chairman Rogato entertained a motion to adjourn. Motion was made by Captain Finogle and seconded by Chief Beattie. Motion passed unanimously. Unanimously adjourned by 12:45 PM.