Scituate approves expanded hours and indoor acoustic music license for Groundwater Cafe after heated public comment

Scituate — After extended public comment from neighbors and business supporters, the Scituate Town Council voted to approve a zoning-board decision that lets Field and Fork Inc., doing business as Groundwater Cafe at 985 Chopmist Hill Road, extend indoor alcohol service hours to 10 p.m. and to issue a yearly event license allowing indoor solo- or duo-acoustic performances.

Councilors explicitly incorporated the Zoning Board of Review’s conditions into their approval. Chairman Schallen of the zoning board told the council the board granted the special-use permit with limits on entertainment: interior-only music, one acoustical performer (the zoning language reads “solo acoustic artists only”), and operating hours consistent with the board’s decision. Several residents said the zoning board’s decision was from Feb. 18, 2025 and urged the council to adopt its conditions.

Owner Sabrina Maguire told the council she sought to extend operating days and hours and to host primarily solo or duo indoor acoustic music with no amplification. “I am looking to have indoor music possibly once a week, maybe once every other week, one solo artist,” Maguire said. She told the council she would not use amplification for regular service and that outdoor music was not her primary intent.

Neighbors opposed expanded hours and any outdoor entertainment, saying the corner already hosts multiple events and that noise has increased. “We’re turning my backyard into a bar,” one abutter said. Another resident read the zoning resolution aloud and emphasized it specifies “solo acoustic artist only.” Several neighbors cited traffic and safety concerns near the Route 101 intersection.

Chief Rawlinson advised the council that the cafe’s liquor license is for indoor service and consumption only and, as presented at the hearing, is limited to beer and wine. He also said the license conditions prohibit serving alcohol during specified large events (for example, car shows) and that complaints about outdoor service could be investigated by the police department.

On a motion described in the record as made by Tim and seconded by Terry, the council voted by roll call to approve the zoning board decision (dated Feb. 18, 2025) allowing indoor service to 10 p.m. and to adopt the zoning conditions on indoor acoustic entertainment. The roll-call vote recorded the following aye votes: Councilman Parmalee; Councilman McCormick; Councilman Grandy; Councilwoman Yore; Councilman Musot; Council Vice President Jagacino; and Council President Collins. The motion passed unanimously.

The council then voted to issue a yearly event license for indoor-only solo-or-duo acoustic music at Groundwater Cafe, again on a unanimous roll call with the same members recorded as voting aye. The council also noted that the zoning board had denied authorization for outdoor amplified entertainment and that any change to the operations would require return to the zoning board for modification.

The council required that approvals remain subject to receipt of all required paperwork, state and local permits, and compliance with stipulations and department approvals. The council did not approve outdoor amplified music; the owner indicated she would strike outdoor acoustic music from the special-event application. The property owner listed on the special-event application was Frederickson Farm LLC.