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Select Board declines blanket extended liquor license for Black Mountain; favors event-by-event approvals
Summary
After hearing a resident noise complaint and a representative report that the Liquor Commission found no further action, the Jackson Select Board voted May 26 not to grant a blanket extended-liquor license for Black Mountain Ski Area and instead to require event-specific approvals.
Chair Barbara Campbell told the Board that the town received a noise complaint on May 4 about loud music at Black Mountain Ski Area on April 28 that was audible indoors with windows closed. Resident Stephen Weeder said noise from the ski area has remained a significant problem and said nearby residents have noticed worsening conditions.
Erik Mogensen (participating for Black Mountain) confirmed there are no restroom facilities at the summit itself (restrooms are at the Alpine cabin and sugar shack) and that the operator was not seeking to serve food at the summit. Board members raised concerns about logistics, public health, crowd oversight, and whether extended alcohol service could be managed safely without event-by-event oversight.
Bob Thompson moved not to grant an extended liquor license on a blanket basis but instead to allow extended service on an as‑needed, event‑specific trial basis; Frank DiFruscio seconded and the motion passed unanimously. In public comment, Attorney Chris Meier reported the New Hampshire Liquor Commission reviewed a follow-up complaint and concluded Black Mountain acted appropriately by confiscating outside alcohol and contacting police; Meier asked the Board to receive that report.
Why it matters: the Board’s action requires organizers to seek separate approval for extended alcohol service at summit events, allowing the Town to evaluate public-health and safety logistics on an event-by-event basis rather than authorizing an open-ended permit.
