Selectmen Turn Down Entertainment at Maple Street Tavern-For Now

Selectmen unanimously voted to table an entertainment license proposal for the soon-to-open in Danvers Square.

Dean Borders, owner and manager of the new establishment, appeared at the , asking for a seven-day entertainment and juke box license. Borders said once the tavern is open, he would like to have local bands from time to time, as well as a music system.

Selectman Michael Powers questioned if it was mandatory for abutting establishments to give their consent before an entertainment license was granted to an entity next door, due to the potential for noise and disturbances. Town Clerk Joseph Collins said it was not required, but had been done in similar instances in the past.

Powers said he "would prefer that we follow that practice this time as well, with no prejudice one way or another. It's something historically that we've done."

Selectman Bill Clark noted that Borders has been in front of the Board more than 5 times in the last two years, each time with a different, pushed back opening date.

"I have nothing against you having this license, but I want to see a demonstrated ability to a hold a license before you get an entertainment license," Clark said. "I'm not willing at this point to go out on a limb."

Clark later said "if it's done right it can be a tremendous success in the Square. There's a great deal of interest in this."

Borders told the Board he is tentatively .

Selectman Keith Lucy said he didn't think waiting three months for a public hearing, as suggested by fellow Selectmen, would make a difference, noting that Borders is trying to attract people to his new business, and the entertainment license would help.

Borders said , the business next door, as well as his landlord were aware of his plans for entertainment, and if he had known he needed to formally speak with the abutters he would have before the meeting.

The Board unanimously decided to hold off on a full entertainment license, granting only a jukebox for now. In May, a public hearing will be held for a complete entertainment license at the establishment.