Select Board denies one-day liquor permit for Bedford Plaza pool party over safety, code concerns

An event planner who operates Next Generation Entertainment asked the Bedford Select Board for a one-day liquor permit for an annual pool-party at the Bedford Plaza Hotel but the board voted to deny the application after police, fire and code-enforcement officials said the facility does not meet state safety standards for nightclub-style events.

Applicant Mr. Robinson told the board he had filed for a one-day liquor license and described safety preparations, saying the event team planned to hire extra security, lifeguards and EMT coverage and that "we have paid for the service for [police and fire]" and provided a plan to town staff. The planner said last year's event drew about 300–400 people and that he would hire additional staff if required.

Public-safety staff pushed back. The fire- and code-enforcement representative explained the venue lacks the door egress, breaker-bar exits and other features required when an event has attributes of a nightclub — loud music, alcohol and lowered lighting — and said "the facility itself just can't do this" and that last year's event produced an evacuation and problems getting people out of the building.

A board member moved to deny the application "for the reasons you see on the bullet points" in staff recommendations. After a roll-call vote the motion carried and the one-day license was denied.

Why it matters: Town staff balanced the applicant's mitigation steps against physical limitations at the venue and a prior evacuation at last year's event. The denial preserves the select board's obligation to act on code- and safety-based recommendations from police and fire rather than event convenience.

What happens next: The applicant was encouraged to work with the police and fire chiefs and, if he can satisfy code requirements or find a different site that meets state standards for larger, nightclub-style gatherings, he may reapply.