Northampton commission limits entertainment at Hayes after residents report threats and persistent noise
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Summary
The Northampton License Commission on Jan. 7 modified the entertainment license for Pedigo Wood, LLC d/b/a Hayes for 30 days, restricting entertainment to Tue 3–11 p.m. and Thu–Sat 3 p.m.–midnight, and requiring an exit sign over a fire curtain; action followed resident complaints about noise, vibration and a reported on‑site threat and includes a Feb. 4 special review.
The Northampton License Commission voted unanimously Jan. 7 to temporarily modify the entertainment license held by Pedigo Wood, LLC d/b/a Hayes, limiting entertainment to Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Thursdays through Saturdays from 3 p.m. to midnight for a 30‑day trial period and ordering an update at a special meeting scheduled for Feb. 4.
The move followed sworn complaints from nearby residents who said loud bass and live music have caused walls and ceilings in their apartments to vibrate and, in at least one instance, that a man heard during an incident said, "I'm gonna come back and I'm gonna shoot this place." Resident Maria Grove told the commission she and others heard a woman screaming and feared for personal safety. Another neighbor, Eric Bennett, described repeated nights of heavy bass transmission and said past tenants left because of noise.
Licensee Anya Wood told the commission she has taken several steps — including removing a subwoofer, hiring a new sound operator and planning additional acoustic panels — and said one employee involved in a late‑night incident no longer works at Hayes. She said the venue is in a historic building with an original tin ceiling and that some mitigation options (such as ceiling baffling) require landlord approval and can be costly. "We have stopped using the subwoofer completely," Wood said, adding she is trying to balance the business's viability with neighbors' needs.
Kevin from the building department told commissioners that materials used for sound damping must have an appropriate fire rating and that an exit sign is required if a rated curtain is used in a way that could alter egress. He also confirmed the fire department completed an initial liquor‑license inspection last July and a follow‑up visit showed previously flagged items were corrected.
Commissioners said their legal options are limited to modifying license conditions — hours, days and types of entertainment — and to acting where a license "adversely affects the public health, safety or order" under state alcohol licensing law. Commissioner Jennifer Ewer proposed a time‑limited reduction in entertainment hours while mitigation work proceeds; Commissioner Amy Cahillane supported shortening hours and keeping at least one popular weeknight (Tuesday) for quieter programming.
The motion (mover and seconder not specified on the record) directed the license to be modified immediately for 30 days to the hours above, required installation of an exit sign above the fire curtain (electrical permit required), and scheduled a special meeting in 30 days for an update. The commission voted: Natasha Akavlev — yes; Jennifer Ewer — yes; Amy Cahillane — yes.
The commission said the modification affects the entertainment portion of the license only; the bar's operating hours and common victualler provisions were not changed. The commission clarified that entertainment forms listed in the license (including karaoke) fall under the modified entertainment hours, and allowed same‑day karaoke on Jan. 7 given the short notice.
Next steps: the licensee said she expects the sound consultant (Ronan) to survey the venue within weeks and proposed installing panels if they meet building‑department fire requirements. The commission requested a written update after the Ronan visit and will reconvene Feb. 4 to decide whether to restore broader entertainment hours.
