Bridgton Select Board notes

dings and special occasions. So, Williams expected renewal of a special amusement permit to go without a hitch.

On the SAP, the hours of entertainment planned, “12-9, always ending early...times of start different.”

“I have no interest in making enemies with neighbors,” Williams told the Select Board. “We have to get up early for breakfast.”

Charlie Simpson, who lives across the street from the Noble House for the past 12 years, noted that Highland Road is a “generally quiet residential neighborhood.” He has concerns about alcohol service and parking.

“I have no ax to grind with the Noble House. It’s an attraction and a landmark for Bridgton...They have always been good neighbors,” he said.

However, the change in ownership has resulted in some changes that worry Simpson. He posed three questions:

• Are there rules in place governing music, dancing and entertainment, if so where can I find them, if not, can they be implemented?

Williams said Noble

House has always had special amusement permit. “I’ve told people there is no music after 9 p.m. The airbnb across the street creates more noise,” she noted. “We’ve been working feverishly on the place.”

She noted that a “beer garden” has been developed — yet is more of a place where families can eat outdoors or guests can enjoy a comfortable drink from the inn’s bar.

• Simpson brought attention to a sign that was posted on Highland Road that the “bar was open.” Is the house bar open to anyone passing by; don’t remember former owners advertising? Simpson said/ Williams said it was simply an opportunity on a Saturday-Sunday, for two hours, for Highland Road residents to stop by, sit on the porch and enjoy a drink and tour the facility.

“We did it twice, didn’t advertise it. A number of people drive by Noble House but had never been in. It was an opportunity to see it; I don’t know we’ll do it again this summer,” Williams said.

• Simpson noted that the inn’s website includes various wedding and private party packages, “up to 150 guests.” He wondered if that is too large a crowd for a residential neighborhood. “It creates the possibility for problems including loud raucous noise, behavioral problems, potential disturbing the peace, and a public health safety issue,” he said.

Williams said “everything has been under 100. We were asked about 200 and said no.” In most case, event planners arrange transportation for guests to be dropped off at the inn.

“They always had weddings at Noble House,” she added. “It was sold to us that way. I worry about the neighbors.”

If people want an afterparty, Williams will suggest they go to the new brew pub. “It can’t be at the Noble House,” she said.

One person noted that other wedding venues exist on Highland Road.

The Select Board questioned whether a 100-person limit could be included in writing, but Town Manager Robert Peabody said the special amusement

NOTES, Page 5A

10 a.m. Suspicious person at Bridgton Road business. 12:34 p.m. Criminal mischief complaint on Main Street.

Friday, January 20

1:35 a.m. Theft complaint at Main Street business.

3:08 a.m. Assist another agency at Butter Hill in Chatham, N.H.

6:15 a.m. Assist Fryeburg Rescue on Portland Street. 10:44 a.m. Assist Fryeburg Rescue on Main Street. 12:30 p.m. Responding to a disturbance on Maple Street, police charged Joshua Merchant, 32, of Fryeburg. 6:03 p.m. Motor vehicle crash on Haley Town Road.

Saturday, January 21

9:06 a.m. Suspicious activity on Bridgton Road.

10:22 a.m. 9-1-1 hang-up call on Recreation Drive, unfounded.

1:26 p.m. Parking problem at the intersection of Main Street and River Street.

2:55 p.m. Disturbance on Portland Street, warning issued.

9:14 p.m. Assist citizen on Main Street.

Sunday, January 22

1:21 p.m. Assist Fryeburg Rescue on West Fryeburg Road.

6:38 p.m. Assist another agency on East Main Street, Conway.

Monday, January 23

12:30 a.m. Assist another agency on Elm Street.