Block Island and Ballard's reach agreement to ban music festivals; increase police

The town of New Shoreham is imposing new conditions on the liquor and entertainment licenses for Ballard's Beach Resort, in the wake of a high-profile fiasco this summer.

Stipulations include a ban on music festivals, and more police oversight.

The New Shoreham town council, acting in its capacity of the board of license commissioners, voted unanimously to adopt the agreement on Wednesday. The new restrictions were "negotiated with and agreed to by Ballard's," according a press release issued by town clerk Millie McGinnes.

"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," spokeswoman Kimberly Poland wrote in an email.

Agreement follows Reggae Fest chaos; license suspension

Block Island drew unwanted national attention this past August after multiple fights broke out during a reggae festival that was taking place at Ballard's, as well as on the return ferry to the mainland. Police said that the event had drawn larger-than-average crowds, and quickly turned chaotic as festival-goers hopped over fences to avoid standing in line.

Prior to Reggae Fest, Ballard's was already facing scrutiny as a result of a police department sting operation that found that alcohol was being served to minors. It had also found itself at the center of many local complaints about unruly behavior and out-of-control drinking on the island.

After the August incident, the New Shoreham Town Council voted to suspend Ballard's liquor license for two weeks. The state Department of Business Regulation overturned that suspension, but the Rhode Island Supreme Court allowed some restrictions to go into place over Labor Day weekend.

The new agreement between the town and Ballard's means that the legal wrangling will come to an end: Ballard's has agreed to dismiss the remaining appeals that it has pending before the Rhode Island Supreme Court and Department of Business Regulation. The suspensions will be upheld, but reduced to time previously served.

What conditions are being placed on Ballard's liquor license?

Under the terms of the agreement, Ballard's will be required to hire a detail of two police officers on weekends and holidays in summer, at its own expense.

Ballard's already has its own security staff, including trained EMTs. The agreement calls for "regular communication" between the bar's private security and the New Shoreham police chief. In a press release, the town said that it had established procedures to improve communication between the EMTs at Ballard's and the Block Island Medical Center.

The agreement also requires a minimum number of security guards to to be on hand on weekends and on holidays during the summer. They will be required to wear "visible, matching security uniforms" and be "equipped with modern security communications devices to better prevent and address any issues promptly," according to the town's press release.

Ballard's has hired a new director of security, "who will prepare and implement improved security policies and procedures, with input from the New Shoreham Police Chief," the town said.

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The agreement also attempts to crack down on open container violations: Ballard's is required to have trash cans by the exit and signage about the law. Staff are required to direct patrons to throw out their beverages before leaving the premises.

Under the conditions for its entertainment license, Ballard's can only have one band playing outdoors at a time. It cannot have more than two bands playing over the course of a single day.

After adopting the agreement at Wednesday's meeting, the council unanimously approved the renewals of Ballard's liquor license and entertainment license.

"The granting of a liquor permit is fundamentally an act of trust by the town and by state government," First Warden-elect Keith Stover said in a statement. "The conditions developed by the town and Ballard's are direct and purposeful, with an essential focus on public safety, and hopefully, they present an opportunity to begin to reestablish that trust with Ballard's."

Ballard's owner loses council bid

An additional coda to the saga played out on Election Day, when Ballard's owner Steven Filippi lost his bid for a seat on the New Shoreham Town Council.

Prior to this summer's controversies, Filippi had effectively been running unopposed — he was one of only two individuals seeking to fill three at-large council seats.

As the election drew closer, frustrations with Ballard's prompted islanders to throw their support around three write-in candidates. According to the Block Island Times, Filippi ultimately received only 92 votes — less than each of the write-in candidates.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Block Island: Music festivals banned at Ballard's after Reggae Fest