Music will return to Reunion Tap & Table

Music will return to Reunion Tap & Table after the Select Board modified their entertainment license to allow for outdoor performances.

As it always seems to happen when Reunion is on the agenda, however, that approval did not come without some voices raised in disharmony.

Co-owner Shawn Briggs immediately addressed the issue that plagued the Worcester Road restaurant last summer: neighbor complaints about music inside the parking lot tent. Briggs said the restaurant will think smaller when it comes to musical acts.

“The plan here is to have only single players, husband and wife or people who live together, no bands,” he said.

Music will be allowed only until the kitchen closes, 8 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday and 9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.

Outdoor seating regulations were waived by the state last year to help a restaurant industry hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Reunion’s tent open-air tent, framed by planters, was an especially popular spot, although the distance from the musical acts from patrons was flagged as a health concern.

Briggs, viewing a schematic of the layout, noted that all entertainers would be outside of the tent and 25 feet from the nearest diners.

Only acoustic acts will play in the tent this season, but the only drums that will be allowed will be electronic so the sound is controlled.

“The nights we had complaints, we had full bands there,” said Briggs, who noted that singers tend to be louder if they have to be heard over live drums. “If we get complaints, we will adjust.”

Select Board member Ed Prisby had concerns about protecting patrons in the tent from wayward cars after Briggs referenced the 500 lb. planters as being equal to Jersey barriers. He suggested that the Select Board postpone a decision on the entertainment license until after they could consult with the building and fire departments about the safety issue.

“At the end of the day, this board is going to be the one answering questions,” Prisby said.

While Select Board Chair Peter Carlson pointed out that the setup has already been reviewed by the fire department, building inspector and Planning Board, Prisby continued to insist that the town needed to further examine the safety issue of restaurant seating in parking lots.

Carlson and Prisby continued talking over each other, with Carlson demanding that he be allowed to finish speaking.

“Goddammit, now I lost my train of thought,” Carlson snapped.

 “I think your personal relationship with these guys is affecting your judgement,” Prisby responded.

The entertainment license was approved, with only Prisby voting against. Prisby stressed he would have approved if the safety issue was addressed.

In a video posted to Reunion’s Facebook page, co-owner Sargon Hanna shared the news, calling the hour-long discussion before Select Board “embarassing” but thanked Carlson and DiFazio for their support.

“We’re going to get some live music outside here, ASAP,” Hanna said.

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