On Monday, March 28, 2022, the Select Board heard testimony from the Shipwrecked manager, attorney, and one of their musicians in favor of amending their license to allow amplified music. They also heard from 6 Heights’ residents: 3 abutters from Penn Ave, Forest Ave and Harbor Ave, all in opposition; 1 Heights resident from Deacons Ave in opposition, and 2 from Grand Ave and Lucerne Ave who suggested that volume control, rather than amplification per se, is the factor to consider. The Board also received a record number of letters, between 20-25.
Both the FHMNA President and one Director were 2 of the 6 speakers and spoke for themselves as residents. Neither expressed an FHMNA opinion as we had not taken a poll of our members.
After a very interesting discussion about amplification vs. volume, the Select Board approved the license with strict conditions:
1. Outdoor music will not extend beyond the property line (same as last year).
2. Volume of music shall be low enough that patrons can easily speak over it (adding language from Bad Martha’s 2021 license).
3. Friday through Monday (not 7 days per week as requested).
4. 2:00 pm – 6:30 pm (not 2:00 pm – 8 pm as requested).
5. A 3-hour limit on each day chosen (any 3 hours of their choosing depending on the weather)
The Shipwrecked manager, Rob Loewen, said last year they played usually on just Saturdays and Sundays with an additional Monday holiday and sometimes on Friday if the weather was bad on the weekend. He and the owner expect this will remain the case for the 2022 season.
The Hearing lasted 1 hour 14 minutes and can be watched on YouTube. Scroll to 2:04.
The Falmouth Enterprise published, “Over Objections, Board Approves Amplified Music in Falmouth“, on page 1 of the print edition on Friday, 4/1/2022, with details of the discussion.
See the final license here: Shipwrecked Entertainment License 2022