Orono Town Council grills pub owner, moves forward with
bow-hunting

 February 14, 2007

Funding $600,000 for the construction of a new public library and issues surrounding alcohol consumption at a couple of local businesses were the main topics at a regular meeting of the Orono Town Council Monday night.

            A succession of enthusiastic Orono residents spoke out in favor of the construction of what would be the first free-standing library in the town’s 200 year history. David Chase, co-chair of the Orono Public Library Foundation, told the Council that the new library was needed because more space was needed for items like new computers.

            “This money is not an investment in a new library, it’s an investment in Orono’s future,” he said.

            Chase added that $875,000 toward the construction of a new public library has already been raised through private fundraising and private donations.

            One young boy who addressed the Council said that going to the town’s current school-attached library created a “deterring sense that you’re going back to school.” Other proponents voiced their hope that a new public library would help promote more community activities and play a part in “vitalizing the growth of the town.”

            The Council voted unanimously to pledge an amount not to exceed $600,000 for construction of a new public library.

            The hottest discussion of the night centered on issues surrounding the granting of a liquor, food and special amusement permit for the Bear Brew Pub on Main Street. Owner Matt Haskell spent some time answering pointed questions about incidents that have occurred at the club since the last license renewal.

            Orono police chief Gary Duquette told the Council that there had been an increased in incidents at the club since the license renewal.

            “Incidents definitely have increased since the last time I was up here,” he said. “(The police) are spending more time in that area.”

            When asked whether he though that there had been an increase in incidents at the establishment since the license renewal, Haskell replied that he did not believe that there had been an increase. He contended that some of the calls that the police had received from the Bear Brew Pub were actually calls that staff members had made “because we’re a little worried about actions that have been taken against other establishments in this town.” He added that it was in his own best interest to keep unruly, intoxicated patrons out of the pub and that he had “zero tolerance” for intoxicated patrons who destroyed property.

            “I don’t want my property destroyed,” he said.

            However, some council members were insistent in their belief that new training programs would help lower the number of incidents at the pub. Councilor John Bradson wanted to know if Haskell felt that it would be a good idea for his staff and himself to become certified in Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS). Haskell replied that he didn’t think it was necessary and would not make sense financially because of the turnover in his staff. Councilor Geoff Gordon suggested that he look into training at least a few key members of his staff.

            The Council was less concerned over the granting of a liquor license for the Ultra Lounge, a new club which will be operating in the building that formerly housed Ushuia.         Several rows of college-age kids sat in silent support as Ultra Lounge manager Robbie Snow “forward to offering a place for kids to recreate.” Snow offered a brief synopsis of some of the safety measures that he believes will keep the new club from experiencing the same kind of problems that plagued and ultimately closed down Ushuia. Among those safety measures will be a strict 18+ policy with rigid ID checks of all patrons, monitoring of the premises via 35 security cameras already in place at the club, the use of security wands at the door, and a shift in apparel for club bouncers.

            “Before, the bouncers were allowed to wear black polo shirts,” Snow said, “and that made them blend into the crowd.”

            In the club’s new incarnation, Snow said, the bouncers will sport bright canary-yellow polo shirts with “Staff” printed in bold letters on the back, enabling club-goers to spot them more easily in the event of trouble.

            Snow also plans to introduce a chem-free night for “probably 15 year-olds to 20 year-olds” which would be held on Sundays.

            “I want to work closely with the town and keep the lines of communication open,” he said. “My dream has always been to work in the nightclub industry.”

            He added that he was looking into TIPS certification for himself and members of his staff.

            “Will you be hosting mosh pits?” Councilor Lianne Harris asked.

            “I don’t think it’s so much hosting mosh pits as that certain bands bring in that kind of energy,” Snow said. “I plan to be very sensitive to the types of bands that I hire.”

            Councilor Dan Haggerty told Snow that “I like what I’m hearing. I’m not anti-fun, just anti-violence.”

            Council members voted unanimously to grant the liquor, food, and special amusement permit for the Ultra Lounge.

            The Council also approved a consent agenda that included an order to set March 12, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. as the date for a public hearing to consider disposing of approximately .05 of an acre (34’x 62’x 36’x 54’) of Municipal Property to an abutter, an order to set the hours of voting as 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and the polling place as the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building for Wards 1 and 2 for the March 13,2007 Municipal election, and an order authorizing a construction over-limit permit to Maine Department of Transportation for work on the I-95 Southbound lane through Orono.

            In new business, the Council passed 1-6 an order authorizing town manager Cathy Conlow to write a letter requesting that the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife move forward with their rule-making process of opening Marsh Island to archery-only deer hunting, including the expanded archery and special archery seasons. Tom Spitz was the only member of the council to vote against the writing of the letter, which would effectively turn the matter over to the IF & W. In accordance with the requirements associated with the process, a one month comment period would be followed by a public hearing to be held at a local venue.