Wausau committee leaves Forefathers Pub entertainment license undecided after noise complaints and police responses

The Wausau Public Health and Safety Committee left undecided an entertainment license application for Forefathers Pub on Merrill Avenue after committee members heard that the establishment has generated two neighborhood noise complaints and two police responses in the past month.

Jerica (last name not specified), who said she is “one of the owners,” told the committee she was unaware of all licensing requirements and that patrons have been asking for live music and karaoke. Chief Barnes described officers’ interactions with the owner as “unwilling to mitigate the situation,” and said one officer reported feeling the vibration of bass while parked more than a block away with car windows up.

The committee’s concern centered on the establishment’s location adjacent to homes and an apparent history of noise issues under a prior owner. Alder Watson and other committee members pressed the owners to present a written mitigation plan — including soundproofing, a schedule or hours limits, and guaranteed cooperation with police — before the committee would consider approving the entertainment license. Committee members said they expected the owners to consult the fire marshal before installing any soundproofing material.

Chief Barnes summarized problems officers observed: he said Mister Hohen (name spelled variously in the record) refused an officer’s request to lower the volume and demanded to see a decibel meter, a demand Barnes said is not required by city ordinance. “When the officer says can you just turn the volume down and mister Hoehn looks him in the eye with his camera up in the officer's face and says no, that concerns me as a chief,” Barnes said.

Committee members attempted several procedural options: a motion to approve the license failed for lack of a sustained second; motions to table and to postpone were proposed and withdrawn or failed; ultimately the committee decided not to act and left the application open. Staff said the item will be reinstated on a future agenda when the owner returns with either completed building modifications or a mitigation plan. The committee noted that because the city’s licensing cycle renews in July, any work done after that point may require a new application in the next cycle.

The committee also told the owners that, if work will include soundproofing materials, they must consult the fire marshal to confirm materials meet fire-safety requirements. Committee members emphasized they expect future cooperation with police and that failure to cooperate can lead to demerit points, suspension or revocation of entertainment or liquor licenses.

No final vote was taken on the Forefathers application; the matter remains an open agenda item to be reconsidered when the owners appear with a mitigation plan or completed work.

The committee’s discussion shows the licensing process balancing neighborhood livability with businesses’ interest in hosting live entertainment; members repeatedly said they are willing to approve entertainment when clear, documented mitigation steps and good cooperation with city departments are in place.

Looking ahead, the committee asked staff to notify the owners that their appearance is expected at the next meeting and to coordinate with inspection and fire-marshal staff on permitting and acceptable soundproofing materials.