Article 36: Amending the Entertainment Activities Ordinance

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to amend Entertainment Activities Ordinance Chapter 149 of the Code of the Town of Hampton as follows:

Section 149-15. A. (1) by striking the items in the box labeled Day/Night and substituting therefore the following: 12Noon to 11PM* Monday through Thursday 75 dB

Section 149-15. A. (1) by striking the items in the box labeled Late Night and substituting therefore the following 11PM to 11:59 PM Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays defined in RSA 288, 75 dB

Section 149-16.  Police Attendance.  by removing the figures 30% in the last line and substituting the figures 50% so that the last line in Section 149:16 reads “Payment for services of these personnel shall be borne by the licensee at current wage rates, plus 50%.

What it means: Passage of Article 36 would change the days and hours at which establishments could play music or any other entertainment above the noted decibels.  It also increases the costs for businesses to utilize police detail when such additional support is deemed necessary.

Those in favor say: This is a good compromise between allowing the businesses to thrive and contribute to the tax base, while allowing their residential neighbors to enjoy their homes in peace.

Those against say: The ordinance would cause the entertainmenet businesses at the beach to essentially shut down after 11 pm.  Considering that many of the businesses are only open for a limited number of months, removing hours of operation represents a significant revenue cutback for the owners, the employees and the bands or other entertainment sources.  It will also reduce after-show options for those who attend an event at the Casino.Those who are against this Article point to Articles 39 or 40 as viable alternatives.

Fiscal Impact:  No direct tax impact.