HOULTON, Maine – Houlton Town Councilors approved on Monday night a special amusement ordinance that controls music, dancing and entertainment in businesses licensed to sell liquor in Maine.
Councilor Eileen McLaughlin cast the dissenting vote.
Facilities licensed to sell liquor are prohibited from dancing, entertainment of any kind, or playing music, other than from a radio or other mechanical device, without a permit, according to the new Houlton ordinance.
Such businesses must first apply for the annual $10 special amusement permit that is subject to a public hearing and town council approval.
Maine liquor law allows municipalities to require permits for this reason and the new Houlton ordinance is similar to special amusement ordinances in other Maine towns.
During Monday’s town council meeting, McLaughlin proposed a motion to amend the ordinance, by adding drug-related language into the ordinance prior to its approval – No illicit drugs or prescription medications are to be disseminated at any or all events. If identified, the town council has the right to revoke their entertainment license immediately.
“We are having a problem with drugs in our town, I think it’s really important to set that limit and be very clear about our expectations when there is an event,” she said.
Initially, when the other counselors did not second her motion to amend, Mc Laughlin expressed her concern.
“This is a really big issue in our town, guys,” she said. “We should really stand firm on this.”
Still, there was no second and the ordinance passed as written.
According to the new town ordinance, all entertainment is prohibited between 1 a.m.and 8 a.m. and the permit does not allow nudity in licensed businesses. Additionally, all premises or buildings used for entertainment must comply with all town ordinances, rules and regulations.
Applicants are required to complete the written application prior to town council approval and once approved the permit must be renewed annually.
The town is required to hold a public hearing within 15 days of the town’s receipt of an application.
Mc Laughlin said the ordinance should contain serious language related to drug use on the premises of permitted businesses.
“I am very disappointed and this is for the record, I’m really disappointed that the stipulation on illicit drugs or prescription medications was not amended to be added to the special amusement ordinance,” she said. “I know that there’s some vague language about the law, but I do think that it is a really important issue in our town.”
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