NEW SHOREHAM – The New Shoreham Town Council has imposed a series of restrictions on Ballard’s Beach Resort’s liquor and entertainment licenses, months after a rowdy weekend over the summer led to the temporary suspension of the resort’s licenses.
The council and the resort reached the agreement on Wednesday, which allows Ballard’s to keep its licenses while including strict restrictions meant to “protect the health and safety of residents and visitors.” Under the agreement, approved unanimously by the council, Ballard’s will not be allowed to host music festivals in the future and will be required to increase police presence, by hiring two officers to be stationed at the resort on summer weekends and holidays.
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“The granting of a liquor permit is fundamentally an act of trust by the town and by state government,” said First Warden-elect Keith Stover. “The conditions developed by the town and Ballard’s are direct and purposeful, an essential focus on public safety and, hopefully, they present an opportunity to begin to reestablish that trust with Ballard’s.”
Under the agreement, Ballard’s will not be allowed to have more than two outdoor bands playing in one day, and only one will be allowed to play outdoors at a time. The resort has hired a new director of security, who will “prepare and implement improved security policies and procedures.” Additional training for security staff, a minimum number of trained security guards and regular communication with the New Shoreham chief of police are some of the other requirements meant to ensure public safety.
The requirements were “negotiated with and agreed to” by Ballard’s.
The new conditions are “part of a community effort to ensure that our island continues to be a place where our natural beauty and conserved lands and waters are the center of residents’ and visitors’ experience,” said Second Warden Sven Risom.
“Ballard’s is appreciative of the Town Council’s efforts in resolving the parties’ pending matters, and looks forward to a positive working relationship going forward,” said Ballard’s owner Steven Filippi via a statement from spokesperson Kimberly Poland.
Ballard’s came under fire over the summer, when a series of fights broke out at a reggae festival organized by the resort on Aug. 8 and on a ferry leaving the island later the same day.
R.I. State Police responded to reports of fights first at Ballard’s Beach Resort and later on a ferry traveling back to Narragansett, resulting in the arrest of eight people. The police said two people were taken to the hospital and reported minor injuries. Soon after the night of arrests, Ballard’s canceled its Roots and Rhythm Festival scheduled for Aug. 21.
Following the incident, the New Shoreham Board of License Commissioners suspended the liquor and entertainment licenses of the popular Block Island destination for 14 days. Ballard’s soon appealed the decision and the R.I. Department of Business issued a temporary stay.
As part of the agreement, Ballard’s agreed to dismiss the appeals pending with the R.I. Supreme Court and the R.I. Department of Business Regulation. The previous licenses’ suspension will also be upheld, but the time already served will be deducted from the remaining time.
(Update: Comment from Ballard’s owner Steven Filippi added in 7th paragraph)
Claudia Chiappa is a PBN staff writer. You may contact her at Chiappa@PBN.com.
