Wilbraham Select Board considers loosening restrictions on Interskate 91

March 14, 2019 | Sarah Heinonen
sarah@thereminder.com

The Wilbraham Board of Selectmen received a donation of art by Queenie Wang.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen

WILBRAHAM – Interskate 91 wants to amend conditions on their license implemented after an almost decade–old incident that caused a public–safety hazard. On Feb.14, 2010, a teen event that had advertised free admission for girls and half-price admission for boys led to an over-capacity crowd, the involvement for police from Wilbraham and surrounding towns, and one arrest.

“We look back on it as an experience and lesson learned," said Interskate 91 Manager, Rob Gould, at the March 11 Select Board meeting.

Wilbraham Chief of Police, Robert Zollo, said that after the license change, a police detail at the business was required on Fridays and Saturdays after 7 p.m., but a police detail has not been used on Fridays for some time as the crowd size is usually small.

Gould was seeking changes to the licensing stipulations, in part, because of the expense of a detail officer. He said when business was really slow, the cost of a police detail was prohibitive. He proposed that the business would still want to use a detail officer when the crowd size was 100 persons or more, for special events, and at “late–skate” events.

“This is what we feel is appropriate. We still want a police presence," said Gould. With patronage at the skating rink down, Gould said he didn’t see the need for a police presence during their slow months, including May, August, and September.

Interskate 91 was also seeking to lift the prohibition on advertising free admission. Gould expressed concern that school events ran in conflict with that rule. Since the rule was put in place because of the 2010 incident involving free admission, Selectman Robert Boilard expressed hesitancy in lifting it.

"The well being of our customers is our bigger priority," Gould assured the Board, adding, "we're not going to be targeting a lot of teenagers." Gould said that in the past decade, the average age of the skating rink’s customers has decreased to elementary school– and middle school–aged kids and their families.

"We're trying to project a family–friendly atmosphere," said Gould. "We are extremely concerned of our own image. We want to do the right thing by our customers and our town," he said.

Gould also asked that the language surrounding the use of metal–detection wands be changed from “shall” to “may.” He pointed out, "We don't have to wand 7–year­–olds."

"[Another incident] hasn't happened since. Is that because of this?" Selectman Robert Russell asked, referring to the restrictions.

"I can't tell you if the numbers are because a police officer was there and people know an officer is there,” Zollo said.

Wilbraham Fire Chief, David F. Bourcier, asked Gould and the Board to ensure all music and skating on the floor be stopped and the lights be brought up during emergencies. He said there was an incident recently in which people were skating around responders while they were attending to a medical emergency.

"We want to make sure everybody is safe, including our first responders," Bourcier said. The Board of Selectmen decided to draft a new document amending the restrictions to Interskate 91's license and negotiated the terms with the business.

Another issue the the Board considered was in regards to St. Cecilia Church’s request for a one-time exception to a law that prohibits dancing in public buildings. While dancing isn’t illegal in Wilbraham, doing so in a public building requires the premises to meet certain standards.

MGL 148, section 26G1/2, states that a business “with a capacity of 100 persons or more, that is designed or used for occupancy as a nightclub, dance hall, discotheque, bar, or for similar entertainment purposes – including any such public assembly located within a mixed use building or structure – shall be protected throughout with an adequate system of automatic sprinklers.”

The law was a reaction to the Station Nightclub fire in Rhode Island in 2002.

“Things could potentially happen here, too. We have to do our due diligence," said Bourcier. He said the law is meant to apply to buildings in which there is a defined dancefloor, amplified music, etc., without a sprinkler system.

“We just don't want something slowly morphing into a nightclub,” Boucier said. "I have no issues with any of the things as long as they are to code."

Boilard joked about the dancing at Saint Cecilia's saying "It’s Irish dancing, they only move their legs." St. Cecilia Church was granted the one-time exception.

Other business before the Board included a license that was granted to a new business, Fabulous Fifties Diner at 2650 Boston Rd. The restaurant will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and serve breakfast and lunch. The owner is hoping to open before April 1.

The Select Board approved a convenience food license for Fieldcrest Brewing Co. at 2343 Boston Rd. and also approved the Scantic Valley YMCA Branch located at 45 Post Office Park to use sidewalks for an upcoming 5k fun-run and road race.

An announcement was made of town government posts that need to be filled. They include in an Animal Inspector, and positions on the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Conservation Commission.

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