Courtyard Scrutiny Not Over

     Neighbors of the Courtyard Restaurant & Pub came back before selectmen Tuesday at a promised review of that establishment’s progress in complying with the conditions selectmen placed on its entertainment license back in April.
     At that time, after several months of meetings, selectmen limited outside entertainment to acoustic music only and limited live music to no later than 12:30 AM on Friday and Saturday nights, among other provisions.
     Except for one night, when it was reported to police that music was still being played at 12:45 AM, no other complaints were filed. When police responded at 12:49 AM, music was no longer being heard.
     Kevin Buckley, a County Road resident, said he was pleased with the action that was taken, but was surprised to hear that selectmen had approved an exemption that allowed music to be played until 1 AM during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
     He asked that selectmen advise neighbors, not just direct abutters, in advance of any such discussion.
     Selectmen agreed to do so.
     After Tuesday’s discussion was over, and the residents had left the room, selectmen realized that the Jonathan Bourne Public Library’s request for a “Rock-N-Read” fundraiser was at the Courtyard.
     Library supporters wanted permission for five outdoor bands to play at the restaurant on Sunday, August 17, from noon to 5 PM, as part of library fundraiser.
     After having just been asked to notify residents of special events in advance, selectmen declined to rule on the request. Instead, selectmen asked Town Administrator Thomas M. Guerino to immediately mail and e-mail anyone who requested notice that the matter would be discussed on Monday, at 6:30 PM, in a specially called meeting to be held in advance of an already scheduled goals and procedures workshop.
     This week’s entertainment license proceeding was called for the purpose of taking testimony and discussion only, not to take any action on the license.
     Paula Miller, who owns the Courtyard along with her husband, Jay Miller, began the discussion. She told selectmen that she and her husband had made changes to the Courtyard’s outside areas, putting in material to decrease vibration noise, had sound-proofed the doors, and were making noise checks some two or three times a night.
     Mr. Miller invited selectmen to come to the business on any Friday or Saturday night and check out the operation of the new noise baffles.
     Employees were also, Ms. Miller said, moving people off the premises as quickly as possible.
     Kelly M. Morley of Cataumet, a nearby resident, acknowledged some improvement, but asked whether residents could have another “check-in” at the end of the season.
     Asked about when his season ends, Mr. Miller said business usually begins to die off the week before Labor Day, but that the season continues through Columbus Day weekend. Halloween, too, brings a party and a big local crowd, he said.
     Right now, however, business was bad, he said. “Where are they?” he asked of the tourists who usually flock to the region. “They’re not here,” he told selectmen.
     One County Road neighbor told selectmen there were still some people congregating in a nearby business lot that some Courtyard patrons used for supplemental parking. Mr. Miller said he would be on the lookout for that problem.
     Selectmen decided to schedule another “check-in” on the noise issue after Columbus Day, as well setting the 6:30 PM Monday hearing to rule on the library’s request.