Riseman

(Continued from Page 2A) been made. Kids’ activities are featured in the morning and early afternoon, with the focus shifting to adult activities and performers in the evening.

VLA Committee will take place in Augusta in the State House, Room 437. The SLG Committee’s work will also take place in Augusta in the Cross Building, Room 214.

Riseman is entering his third term as a member of the Maine House representing Bridgton, Harrison and Denmark.

The Select Board asked how the date relates to the Chamber’s Brew Fest, which is moving from Casco to Bridgton this year. Cook said the Brew Fest is slated for Sept. 30.

See how it goes. Justin O’Connor prides himself on being a “good neighbor” when it comes to running his business and co-existing with nearby residents.

The owner of King’s Head Pub in Portland for the past eight years, O’Connor said he has developed a “wonderful reputation” and done “charity work” to be an integral part of the community.

He wants to carry that approach forward at Bridgton’s newest business located in Pondicherry Square, Queen’s Head Pub, tentatively set to open next month.

O’Connor told Select Board members during the special amusement permit public hearing that he is “community oriented,” and one of the big reasons he and his wife moved to Bridgton this past August.

A native of upstate New York, O’Connor liked the “sense of community” he found here in Bridgton. He intends to donate profits from opening night at Queen’s Head to the Bridgton Food Pantry. He will run other fundraisers throughout the year.

O’Connor tipped his hat to developer Justin McIver and his MEH crew regarding the new commercial facility, The Gateway.

“It’s a stunning space,” he said. “MEH has done an amazing job. It’s good to be part of Bridgton. I love it here.”

O’Connor was seeking a special amusement permit for live music from 9 p.m. to midnight. Select Board member Ken Murphy noted that the area does have some residential units nearby, but is sitting in the town’s commercial district.

Select Board member Bob McHatton, however, had a “problem” with music being allowed until midnight. He thought an earlier start time, like 8 p.m. to 11 might be a better arrangement. Board chairperson Carmen Lone admitted she is “sadly more conservative” than McHatton, thinking it might be better if music ceased by 10 p.m.

O’Connor said the 9 p.m. start time would give restaurant personnel time to complete the dinner rush and then turn their focus to the crowd seeking a later meal and entertainment. He noted that if problems arise, he would reconsider the plan.

Select Board member Paul Tworog speculated that renters of apartment/Airbnb units at The Gateway would know up front that entertainment would be taking place at Queen’s Head Pub.

“That’s the nature in living in this development,” Tworog said.

The Select Board voted 4-0 to approve the special amusement permit (these permits are renewed on a yearly basis).

Lone gave a “slow yes,” and noted she would see what happens next year.

More debate on amusement permit. Lynn Williams says she and her husband have spent their first year as the new owners of Noble House Inn sprucing up the property inside and out, and seeking out ways to build their clientele.

As in the past, the inn has been the site of wed-

— Selectman Kevin Rogers, on gym design

Rogers said.

“I’m certainly on board with the efficiency of a square building. We need to makes sure that we are very conscious of what that square building looks like when we’re done. We cannot sit here and gripe about storage units going up everywhere and how ugly they are. Then, put up a square metal building just because we like how efficient it is. We can’t tell people in the community that we to beautify our town, we want to create a mood [buildings with New England character], and then put up a building that we cannot even point out as a model of what we want in the community,” he said.

Shane said the board should hold a workshop to discuss the details of a gymrecreation building design.