Drumley's property manager Peter Reynells was present at the July 27
meeting of the Warren Select Board to make a formal noise complaint
against the Slide Brook Tavern, located across the road.
Reynells told town officials that the noise disturbances usually occur
after business hours and following the July 4th holiday, went on as late
as 3:30 a.m. Reynells said that he had been in communication with
Slide Brook owner Alex Peff who assured that he would "keep track of his
customers."
Reynells reported loud talking and squealing tires in the parking lot of
the Slide Brook in addition to a pickup truck that rolled over the bank
and stayed there for the duration of the July 4th weekend.
Peff said he couldn't get a tow truck during the holiday weekend.
Reynells said that this is the third season of complaints issued by the
Drumley's board and that he had called both the state police and the
state liquor board in an effort to resolve the situation.
"The state police have been called; they never have enough people. We've
had a constable and the sheriff's department show up," Reynells said.
Select board chair Andy Cunningham told Reynells that there is nobody
out from 1 until 4 a.m. and added that a lot of the noise issues being
discussed "are out of Alex's control," like patrons arguing in the
parking lot and a truck rolling over the bank.
"We're doing what we said we would do. We've asked the constables and sheriff's department to patrol the area," Cunningham said.
Peff said there were instances of noise disturbances that "had nothing
to do with my place," referencing an argument by a neighbor that took
place in the parking lot of the Common Man Restaurant across the street.
In addition, Peff said he always closes his bar at midnight and asks patrons to leave at that time.
"My track record is fine except for the noise complaints made by the people at Drumley's," he continued.
Cunningham said, "What I like is that Alex is trying to affect noise relief."
At the time of the Slide Brook's liquor license renewal last May the
town cut down the hours of outdoor service to cut down on noise
disturbances.
Reynells said, "It is the after-hours customers who are causing the problems."
Warren resident Tim Seniff said, "As a resort area, our guests will get
out of control. I've seen Alex clear that bar out at 12 a.m. and seen
him bend over backwards for the Drumley's. He's losing money; in the
restaurant industry, customers can get belligerent, but it's part of
living in a resort area."
Reynells said that many of the people at the Drumley's don't live in The
Valley full time and "they want to go to sleep and get up to ski the
next day; they go to the grocery store and buy gas here."
Select board member Anson Montgomery said, "Nobody likes getting woken
up at night, but it gets down to the zoning. Alex's business is zoned
for restaurant/tavern."
Cunningham urged Peff to "keep a really firm hand on your people until they are off your property."
In addition, he said there will be increased response time expected from
the state police because they recently added seven new patrol officers.
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