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Select Board splits on Abenaki Water Ski Club alcohol permit; approves trailer with conditions
Summary
The Wolfeboro Select Board declined a beer-and-wine permit for an Abenaki Water Ski Club event after a tied vote, but approved the club's request to place an 8x20 trailer at Fosse Field for tournament preparation, with a trenched conduit or ADA-compliant ramp and specific dates.
The Wolfeboro Select Board on a mid-June night voted down a request to authorize on-site alcohol service at a waterski tournament but approved the club's separate request to place a trailer at Fosse Field for equipment and staging.
Scott Ouellette of Magic Foods Productions described a fenced, ticketed tent and said the vendor would check IDs and carry liability insurance. "No alcohol would be able to leave that area," he told the board, noting the area would be closed and monitored.
Supporters including Jay Frucci, chairperson of the Abenaki Water Ski Club, said beverage service would improve the event and be managed: "It would really enhance the event," Frucci said.
Several select board members countered that the town has long-held limits on alcohol where children gather. Select Board member Linda Murray said the policy is a core town principle: "It has been a policy and a core value of the town is not to allow any alcohol where children are going to be around." The board discussed whether state enabling statutes for "sip and stroll" social districts could offer a future option but noted creating such areas would require a town-level change.
Councilor John (board member) moved to approve beer-and-wine only for the event; the motion was seconded and put to a voice vote. With the board evenly split, the motion failed for lack of a majority.
Separately, the board considered the club's request to place an 8-by-20 trailer on town property to stage equipment for upcoming tournament dates and a larger July event. Becky Bartlett of the Abenaki Water Ski Club said the trailer would live on the grass near the docks for the run-up to the tournaments and offered to reseed any disturbed turf afterward.
Board members and the club discussed location options to avoid obscuring scenic views and how to supply the unit with power. Because running a 100-amp service to the alternate site would require trenching and pose either a trip hazard or significant cost, the board settled on the bleacher side of the Bridal Falls path. The board amended the club's request to require a trenched conduit across the stone-dust path (or an ADA-compliant ramp) for pedestrian safety and limited the placement to June 18 through July 14. The motion to allow the trailer with those conditions passed on a voice vote.
What's next: The club will work with the DPW on trenching or ramp solutions and coordinate exact delivery timing; the select board said the town will follow up if counsel or safety reviews require further changes.
