Select Board seeks public hearing with Reunion over Covid, noise complaints
The owners of Reunion Tap & Table will be asked to appear before the Select Board to discuss reported lapses in COVID-19 protocols before renewing the restaurant’s entertainment license.
The move comes after repeated neighbor complaints about live music, performed outside to entertain diners in the parking lot tents, and a state cease-and-desist ruling from the Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards finding that the setup potentially could contribute to viral transmission.
“What I have not heard is Reunion’s side of the story,” Select Board member Mat Often said.
The discussion came as the board was set to renew businesses’ various licenses, including those for liquor, food, and entertainment. This is annually a fairly routine matter but Covid brought complexity.
Last week, the Select Board met jointly with the Board of Health to discuss Covid-related complaints such as mask compliance and improper social distancing. Reunion, with its multiple complaints — but no citations for violations — stood out.
The restaurant’s owners are Sargon Hanna, a former selectman; Josh Briggs, a current member of the Board of Health; and Shaun Briggs.
Select Board member Doreen DeFazio agreed with Often.
“I’m a person who takes this pandemic very seriously… I also understand that we as a board are doing their best to support businesses,” DeFazio said. “This is a big deal, to take away an entertainment license at this time.”
It’s also somewhat of a moot point. Under Gov. Charlie Baker’s recent decision to rollback Covid restrictions, musical performances are no longer permitted as of Sunday.
All other businesses had their licenses renewed. Board members expressed hope that they can meet with the owners before the start of 2021.
Select Board member Colleen Roy stressed that she simply wanted to check in with the owners to see how the town might assist them.
“This is not going to rescind their license by any means, just to say we want to talk about it,” she said.
A date has not been set.
What’s the point of the meeting? Seems like the owners have an “in” with the town and, thus, will be able to skirt around the rules and do whatever they want. Heck, there have been so many noise complaints that a business without ties to the Board would have been reprimanded long ago, but Reunion apparently gets a free ride from their fellow Members. Looking forward to seeing them get away with much more in 2021.