North Adams Transcript
WILLIAMSTOWN -- With the "Destination 2012: Hogs on the Farm" motorcycle rally being required to apply for an entertainment license, questions have been raised about what it means for some local events going forward.
The Selectmen began addressing that question during its meeting Monday night. Board members held a short discussion about the precedent being set by requiring the organizer of the motorcycle rally, the Snowford Foundation, to get the license in order to hold the event legally. The Selectmen haven’t issued an entertainment license in at least the past 10 years -- if ever -- to an event, but it can do so through state law.
Jane Allen, vice chairwoman of the Selectmen, said that up until recently, she wasn’t aware that the Selectmen could issue entertainment licenses.
"Now that we are aware if it, we must make sure, as a board, we conform to it as a community. If we wait until the right applicant comes before us, we would look like we’re discriminating," she said.
According to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 181, the Selectmen may grant a license for "theatrical exhibitions, public shows, public amusements and exhibitions of every description, to be held upon weekdays only, to which admission is obtained upon payment of money or upon the delivery of any valuable thing." A person applying for such a license must do so in writing with a full description
"Right now, this is in our lap, and we have to pay attention to it," Selectman Tom Costley said.
He added that he disagreed with David Rempell, chairman of the Selectmen, that organizers of events would be discouraged from holding them if they had to go through an additional step.
Allen said before the board made any decision, its members should become very well-versed in the state law and find out which events coming before the Selectmen would need an entertainment license.
To reach Meghan Foley, email mfoley@thetranscript.com.
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