CUMBERLAND – Those applying for special event licenses at Diamond Hill Park and elsewhere in town must now give plenty of advance notice, with some exceptions.
An ordinance sponsored by Councilor Jodi Harrington-Sweet amending the code of ordinances regarding special event entertainment licenses mandates that those planning a large party or other event apply within six weeks of the event, a timeframe well inside when many people start planning, said Harrington-Sweet.
She shared at the July 15 council meeting that there’s been a lot of chatter around special events over the last year. Neighbors are sometimes left upset, she said, and there are also issues with when police need to be involved in parking and details.
Too often, she said, the council’s Board of License Commissioners was hearing the request for a license just prior to the event, up to the Wednesday before, and there’s just not enough time for public safety to review the request. She said Chief Matthew Benson prefers six weeks, and there was some discussion around four weeks, and they ultimately settled on six because more time is better for police and fire and all other departments to review plans and get information out.
The board shouldn’t be forced to essentially rubber-stamp an approval, said Harrington-Sweet.
To leave room for mistakes, the council compromised on allowing two deadline misses per year where someone can still seek an event license.
There will, of course, be exceptions for charitable or fundraising events, natural disasters, illnesses, or other good reasons, said Harrington-Sweet, but six weeks will be the standard. She said this will give everyone involved a chance to weigh in.
“Charitable or fundraising events to aid individuals or groups following a natural disaster, fire, or health emergency will always be considered, but (they) should still apply as far in advance as possible,” states the amended ordinance on special event entertainment licenses.
Exigent or emergency situations where a license is requested with less notice will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Councilor Jim Metivier voted no in the ordinance subcommittee, making it 2-1 to recommend favorable passage, with Harrington-Sweet and Lisa Beaulieu in favor. The full council voted 5-2 in favor of the change, with Metivier and Peter Bradley opposed.
Sarah King, from the mayor’s office, noted that there are special event licenses on the docket every meeting for an array of events. The council reviews special event licenses to make sure the event is safe, that the applicant has insurance, that if public safety details are needed that they’re requested, that there is sufficient parking at whatever location they’re hosting it at, that food vendors are licensed, alcohol vendors are certified, and more.
Note: The earlier version referenced the Diamond Hill Lodge, specifically, but the ordinance is about events anywhere in town needing special licenses. The Lodge has a separate special event license.
