The Worcester City License Commission postponed consideration of the Worcester Marine Corps League’s request to continue outdoor entertainment at 181 Lake Ave after neighbors described repeated late-night music, high sound levels and parking and safety concerns.

Commissioners said the length and intensity of neighbors’ complaints warranted more local negotiation before the commission rules. Chair Anthony Vigliotti moved to continue the item to the commission’s next meeting and asked the club to meet with neighbors beforehand; the motion carried.

Neighbors who spoke at the June 12 meeting described recurring disruptions. Kelly Fitzpatrick, whose home faces the club, said the club returned to the same outdoor configuration that prompted earlier complaints and that promised mitigations — sound screening, stage orientation changes and pre-event sound measurements — had not been completed. “It’s the sound. It’s so hard to convey to people when I’m sitting in my living room and I’m watching TV,” Fitzpatrick said. Mike Maduca, a property owner at 193 and 195 Lake Ave, said measured levels reached the mid-to-high 80s decibels and at times 90 dB, which he said interfered with businesses and professional services in his building.

Members of the Marine Corps League acknowledged past violations and described steps they said they would take. David Trophy, commandant of the Worcester Marine Corps League, said the club met with neighbors, committed to locating larger bands under an overhang to reduce sound carry, and would require bands to start within allotted times. He said the club uses entry accounting by cover charges and a guest book to estimate attendance and that gates are locked during events.

Police confirmed the commission’s files include two incidents in which entertainment ran 15–18 minutes beyond the licensed end time. Sergeant Sajid Thomas Needham of the Worcester Police Department said officers conducted monitoring after an initial complaint and observed overages at two events. The commission and neighbors cited concerns about how the club counts attendees, including people arriving by boat and gathering near adjacent docks.

Commissioners emphasized the issue as a neighborhood quality-of-life and compliance concern rather than a balancing of the club’s financial needs. “This is really quite a quality-of-life issue for the individuals who own property and this is their homes,” Commissioner Maritza Cruz said. Commissioners suggested a short extension only if the club could show demonstrable compliance and neighborhood agreement.

The Commission continued the item to the next meeting and urged the club to meet with neighbors and return with a written mitigation plan addressing sound measurements, stage placement, occupancy control and parking. Commission staff noted that previously approved dates (including June 14, June 15, June 21 and June 22) remained on the schedule pending the next meeting but cautioned the club to comply with existing conditions in the interim.

If no agreement is reached, the commission said it will reconsider the license conditions at the continued hearing.