By Amanda Estes

Staff Writer

    David Cram, owner of Spring Point Tavern, was
re-issued a special amusement license for live music by the South
Portland city council on Monday night, but once again that license is
contingent on some conditions.  

    The council unanimously approved  a one-year
license provided music, food and drinks are not allowed on the outdoor
patio.

    Cram appeared before the council in October 2006
after Police Chief Edward Googins failed to approve the license due to
noise complaints. After hearing from residents on both sides of the
issue, the council approved a ten-month license with several
conditions: “soundproofing must be completed before 11/17/06, all music
must stop at midnight, doors and windows must be closed at all times
and the city council must be informed by staff of any complaints made
to the South Portland police department.”

    In an email to the council, Code Enforcement Officer
Patricia Doucette said Building Inspector Richard Steller visited the
site and determined Cram had added vestibules at the rear and front of
the building and replaced several sliding glass doors with insulated
walls with a single entrance door and smaller windows.

    According to Police Chief Edward Googins, the
department has responded to seven or eight calls since the ten-month
license was issued. He said not all of the calls were noise related.
According to the council order, on June 24, 2007, the police department
received two noise complaints.

    “The date in question that we had the complaint was
a benefit that we had that was carried over from SMCC to my place and
unfortunately that particular day I had a new bartender and new
employees who were not aware of closing the windows and doors,” Cram
said.

    Cram said patrons opened the windows and doors and
they were closed after the police officer arrived.   

    Two members of the public spoke in favor of renewing the license.

    “I’ve seen many different bars go in and out of the
area over there that were kind of rowdy and I think what David has done
is really taken this and changed it into a new form,” said Stephanie
Manning. She said it is a safe place to listen to good music, dance and
talk with friends.

    Manning later defined dancing as “boogying in her
chair” after Councilor Jim Soule asked for clarification. Cram said the
bar does not have a dance floor and Cram’s request for a special
amusement license excludes dancing, although the bar does have an open
area where bands perform.

    Sue Leighton, a Spring Point Tavern employee, said
one of the violations on June 24 was a parking violation.  

    “We’ve done everything that councilors asked,” she
said. “Our bands are done at midnight, we’ve done all the soundproofing
and it’s a good community [and] people love it there.”

    Councilor Jim Hughes said he had anticipated more opposition to the license.

    “The last time we did this we had a fair amount of
people here who were against this-they’re not coming out this time,” he
said. “I haven’t seen the complaints that to tell you the truth I
expected to see.”     

    Councilor Linda Boudreau proposed an amendment to
prohibit music, food and drinks on the patio, a condition which Cram
already follows. He said the patio is usually occupied by patrons who
smoke as police officers prefer to have them on the patio rather than
in front of the building.  When bands do play at the bar, Cram
said all of the doors stay closed.      According
to Corporation Counsel Mary Kahl, if the conditions of the license are
violated, the council can suspend and revoke the license. Even if Cram
does not violate the license, the council will have to approve the
renewal of his license next summer.