Town of Hudson - problem and solution
August ?, 2008. A neighbor who received an invitation to the party raised concerns with the police department. The police department checked the OJD web site and found apparent violations of ordinances.
August 5, 2008. The Hudson Board of Selectment voted to get an injuction against the OJD party because it violated several ordinances.
August 6, 2008. I was contacted by Hudson Police Chief Richard Gendron and New Hampshire Liqour Commission Deputy Chief of Enforcement Scott Dunn. They brought to my attention several areas where OJD could be in violation of the NH law and local statutes.
August 7, 2008. I met with town officials and worked out a plan that meets the town's requirements. I must say that I was very pleased with the spirit of cooperation from the Hudson Police Department.
August 8, 2008. HLN published an article about the selectmen meeting and announced the party was off. Read the article Emergency Court Action Sought to Prohibit Block Party However, since everything was worked out with the town, the party went on.
August 13, 2008. The Nashua Telegraph iterviewed me and published a nice follow up. See Old Jim Days party scaled back but fun
The main area of concerns were:
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The sale of alcoholic beverages without a permit.
You can not provide alcohol as any part of a ticket, donation, or any similar instrument without having a permit.
You may give away as much beer as you like to peeople 21+. If a ticket or similar instrument is required for an event it must not be linked to the availability of alcohol. Deputy Chief Dunn gave the example of a Hair Salon that provided a glass of wine to customers while having their hair done. Wine would have to be provided to anyone entering to salon regardless of intent to get their hair done in order to be legal.
- Assembly of more than 100 people.
Under town code, chapter 185, Dance Halls and Entertainment Places of Assembly (EPA), and EPA is defined as any place more than 99 people gather. This code cites health, safety, and general public welfare as its purpose. It references alarm systems, building construction, fire prevention, food handling, and zoning.
Such gatherings of 100 or more require the approval of the Chief of Police and Board of Selectmen and use a form requiring statements from the Board of Health and Building Inspector.
- Noise and/or inconvenience to any resident
Under town code, chapter 253, Outdoor Gatherings and Activities, anyone who "wishes to sponsor an activity that may cause an excess amount of noise and/or invonvenience to any resident" must obtain written permission from the town Selectmen and requires similar approvals to chapter 185 above.
In order to comply with NH law and local statues, OJD for 2008 had to be scaled back.
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No more than 99 people can be present at any point in time.
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It will by a BYOB party. Beer is not included in the cost of admission.
This is ensure no one can consider beer to be part of the admission and because in the past, one could consider that to be true.
The beer trailer from years past will be filled with ice for anyone bringing a keg, so you don't have to worry about ice.
I have purchased a limited amount of beer from Milly's which will be freely available to anyone wanting to taste beers from the best brewery in the country.
- The price of a ticket has been reduced from $40 to $35 on Friday, and from $25 to $20 on Saturday.
This is ensure no one can consider beer to be part of the admission and because in the past, one could consider that to be true.
Furthermore, if someone should want to attend and not have any of the over abundance food available, a separate price of $20 will get you admission on Friday.
For those who want to pay less because they don't drink and they still had to pay full price in the past, you will be happy beer is not included in the price this year.
- On-street parking will be limited to my street frontage only, in order not to inconvenience any neighbors.
Off-Street Parking has been made available at 4 other locations in addition to the vehicles that can safely park in my yard.
Pull up to the entrance before parking on the street and you will be directed to a location. You may unload you car at the house first.
- Even advance ticket purchasers may not get in if there are more than 95 people already there.
- Any one who purchases an advance ticket may elect to get a full refund.
I hope those who have attended in the past and those who wanted to attend this year but wont be able to, will understand these changes.