On June 22, the Webster Select Board held a special meeting to review a weekday and Sunday entertainment license for the former Waterfront Mary’s now doing business as Dockside at 103 Birch Island Road in Webster.

Chad Gosselin, one of the managers/owners of Dockside, was present at the board meeting to respond to members’ questions. Gosselin indicated that he was there to discuss an entertainment license to have bands inside and outside the establishment. He said that the bands would probably play their music until 11 p.m. and Dockside will consider the neighbors’ concerns.

“It’s not like we’re going to have a rock band or karaoke speakers crazy at night,” said Gosselin. “We’ll be trying to get out of there every day with a last call by 10:30 and closing by 11 p.m. We just put those times out there because those times were what was in effect previously and we kept those times similar. Bands would be wrapped up by 9 p.m., 10 the latest and that would be an inside band so the noise wouldn’t travel.”

When Chair Tom Klebart asked how late the outside bands would play, Gosselin responded that the latest time would be 10 p.m. The board members then questioned the outdoor entertainment hours and reviewed past issues with Waterfront Mary’s Wednesday night “Rock the Dock” entertainment which was usually held from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. They compared those hours to the current owners now requesting a daily entertainment license with music until 10 or 11 p.m. Gosselin explained that their outside entertainment might include one guitar player with an amplifier during dinner hours. 

Select Board member Mark Rogers then stated that there were several concerns to be discussed. The board wanted to support a new business, but consideration had to be given to neighbors and entertainment noise levels. In addition, there is a history of patrons walking through neighborhoods, disturbing residents, and illegal parking.

“I’ve been there every day,” said Gosselin, “and we have not had people there past 10 p.m. Like I said, outside music would be acoustic, not banging drums until 11 p.m.” 

During the public comment part of the meeting, several residents said that the loud music, haphazard vehicle parking, and pedestrian safety were their biggest concerns. Select Board member Elaine Davies said that the establishment’s license would be part of the customary annual review in tandem with all other town establishment licenses and, if necessary, refinements or restrictions to licenses can be made at the annual review.

Gosselin stated that he felt that they, the new owners, are now being held responsible for decades of past entertainment/noise violations by the previous owners. Town Administrator Richard LaFond stated that this was not an unusual procedure when license transfers occur. LaFond said that town/city governments will seek to comply with the legalities of local law not only for a business but also for those neighbors who have concerns about a business located near them.

The Board ultimately approved an inside entertainment license for Monday through Saturday until 11 p.m. and they will consider outside entertainment in the near future. 

[email protected]