Select board votes on licensing provisions for Interskate 91
Date: 5/3/2010
May 3, 2010By Debbie Gardner
Assistant Managing Editor
WILBRAHAM - The Board of Selectmen took action on proposed modifications to the entertainment license issued to Wheely Fun Inc. during last Monday night's meeting.
It also voted to require Wheely Fun Inc. to obtain a license to operate a roller skating rink, as stipulated under H95 of Massachusetts General Law.
Wheely Fun Inc. does business as Interskate 91, located at 2043 Boston Rd.
The board's move to examine and modify the entertainment license provisions of Interskate 91 was prompted by a Feb. 14 teen event at the rink which drew an over-capacity crowd, resulting in a two-hour traffic tie-up on Boston Road and a four-department mutual aid call by Wilbraham police to control and disperse attendees.
Board of Selectmen Chair David Barry told Reminder Publications many of the provisions voted on at Monday's meeting applied to both the entertainment license and the newly-required rink permit.
"Any event that takes place after 10:30 p.m. is not permitted [under the current licensing]," Barry said. "[Management] must come before the board and ask for an extension or modification of its entertainment license to host late-night events, and we need several weeks notice of that."
He said the board is also requiring Interskate 91 owner Kevin Baker provide advance notice of any proposed themed events or special skates "in case we have questions or concerns" about an event.
"The board expressed a willingness to work with Interskate but wanted the opportunity to understand [any] planned event ahead of time," Attorney Michael Sweet, who represented Baker at the meeting, said.
In addition, Barry said the board is requiring that Baker inform and work with the Wilbraham Police Department prior to any approved special events to ensure Interskate 91 has planned to hire a sufficient number of off-duty officers for its security detail.
Other license stipulations include the prohibition of free admission and/or separate entrance lines for any event, and the use of adequate surveillance equipment and attendee screening - "in Interskate's case, [metal dectecting] wanding" Barry said - during events.
Sweet said most of the conditions of licensing imposed by the board are in line with the types of stipulations placed on businesses by municipalities.
"The conditions are all aimed at making sure that the business continues to operate in a safe manner," he said. "These conditions were mostly requirements that Interskate continues to practice and that it has been using for many years."
He also indicated that his client had no argument with the new stipulation that Interskate 91 also apply for and obtain a permit to operate a roller skating rink in Wilbraham.
"It was not required in the past because neither the town or Interskate 91 knew it was required," Sweet said.
The price for the annual license to operate the rink has been set at $1,000.
Baker, who was attending a roller skating rink operators convention at the time of the meeting, told Reminder Publications by phone that he was generally satisfied with the outcome of the meeting.
Sweet reiterated that Interskate 91 has always been and will continue to be willing to work with the Board of Selectmen on any issue they deem necessary.
"Interskate respects the role that the selectmen play in town and [it] wants to continue to do what it has done for 20-plus years - and that is to be a great asset to the entire Wilbraham community," Sweet said.
