Noise complaints at Reunion Tap & Table trouble Grafton police
The music, the caller said, was just too darned loud. Sounds of the live band drifted through the air on August 29, a night cool enough for the children’s windows to be open at bedtime.
The caller complained to Grafton Police twice — the first time to report that the usual weekend music at Reunion Tap & Table was much louder than normal. The second time, after owner Sargon Hanna reassured Grafton Officer Robert Collette that the sound would be turned down, to report the noise level had not receded.
Reunion was also the cause of noise complaints on August 8 and August 26, Police Chief Normand Crepeau Jr. wrote in an email to the Select Board, which could possibly require a show cause hearing to determine if the restaurant was in violation of its entertainment, food, or liquor licenses. Interim Town Administrator Carter Terenzini said he would pull Reunion’s file and report back to the Select Board by Thursday with a recommendation.
Select Board member Edward Prisby questioned why the board needed to be involved at all.
“We are not law enforcement and we are not public safety,” he said, noting that the office also receives complaints about health code violations related to COVID-19.
Terenzini reminded him that only the board can impose restrictions on business licenses.
In his police report, Collette said he spoke to Hanna on August 29 about the noise complaint, which Hanna attributed to an anniversary party that would end at 9 p.m.
“I asked him to have noise lowered, he promised this officer he would have it lower,” Collette wrote. “As this officer was driving by, I observed the capacity of patrons was larger than normal.”
Collette returned to Reunion about two hours later after another noise complaint.
“Upon arrival, the noise from the live band was louder than before,” Collette wrote. “I proceeded to the hostess station and I observed a young male host was dancing to the music. The crowd of patrons was more than usual.”
Hanna, he wrote, denied that the music was too loud and Collette told him he would be filing a report, also noting that the police dispatcher could hear the music both over the police radio and from the complainant’s call.
Reunion is one of several restaurants that has offered outdoor seating since the spring, when the state altered COVID-19 restrictions to allow it. It regularly offers live music events.
Frequently looked over capacity and crowded with few masks on, which is why we kept on driving. When I mentioned it to Mr. Hanna, he all but called me a liar. What happened to the “customer is always right?” Not true because I will not be a customer there.
Not Surprised Always thought they were above the rules and regs and does as he pleases!