Council presses applicant on safety, trash plans for new Vintage & Bar concept

Gene Fontaine, representing a proposed business doing business as Bluewater Vintage, presented plans to merge a vintage and antique retail space with a delineated bar/lounge and limited food service.

Council members and town staff focused on safety and operational concerns: egress and occupant‑load questions for a narrow rear alley, the location and control of trash barrels, fire and building code signoffs, and the practical effect of adding a bar in a densely populated retail/residential block. Fontaine said he would survey property boundaries, coordinate with the landlord on storage locations, and return with signed agreements and more detailed plans; the building official and fire and police chiefs were asked to inspect and provide written guidance.

Some councilors said they were hesitant to approve a new Class B beverage license in a tightly packed commercial corridor and urged the applicant to consider opening as retail only if the bar component cannot be made to meet safety requirements. The applicant indicated willingness to withdraw or revise the bar request if necessary to secure licensing for the retail element.

Why it matters: The council balanced support for small business with public‑safety and neighborhood impacts, signaling that any approval will be contingent on documented code compliance, clear trash/egress plans and written neighbor/landlord agreements.