METUCHEN — As the Borough Council renewed the annual liquor license for The Brown Stone Bar and Grill, neighbors of the establishment requested renewed efforts on combating the noise that they said “overwhelmingly” emanates from The Brown Stone and funnels into their neighborhood.
“[The noise is to] the point, the kids don’t want to go in the backyard,” said Edith Avenue resident Alan Hirschenfang, who said he was speaking on behalf of many of his neighbors. “It’s to the point we’re inside with the TV on and still hear [the noise] with the windows closed.”
Hirschenfang, who presented his concerns at a Borough Council meeting on June 5, noted that the noise has not been an issue all the time.
“Over the years, Mike [Anastasi], the owner, and I have been acquainted,” he said. “He’s a good guy, I like him.”
Hirschenfang said Anastasi has made efforts to appease the neighbors.
“[The noise is] sporadically and has not been as bad in past years,” he said. “The concern is it still happens.”
Borough Attorney Dennis Murphy said the liquor license has special conditions, which states that “any music live or recorded shall cease in the outdoor area at 10 p.m. seven days a week.”
After 10 p.m., the applicant must keep the doors shut.
Another stipulation states “the speakers utilized for live or recorded music for the outdoor area shall be repositioned to face Highway 287.”
Borough Council President Ronald Grayzel said when they had first heard about the noise problem they examined the borough’s noise ordinance and found it had shortcomings in regard to measuring the intensity and decibel levels of the noise.
Mayor Peter Cammarano said another issue is the noise may be heard in the neighborhood, however, it may not be at the level of decibels to be enforceable.
Borough officials said the borough’s noise ordinance is a model ordinance from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
“Any noise ordinance requires their approval,” said Murphy, who said the state did approve the borough’s ordinance.
He said if borough officials decide to make changes to the model ordinance, they have to explain to the state their reasons behind the change.
Anastasi said when he took over ownership of The Brown Stone, located at 932 Middlesex Ave., he worked on transforming the establishment into a family friendly business.
“I’m just there to run the business to make a dollar,” he said, addressing the council. “I want to see what we can do to please all of us, especially my neighbors if [the noise] bothers them that much.”
Grayzel said the council has heard Anastasi has made good efforts to try to accommodate his neighbors; however, it’s not the first time they heard the complaints.
“I respectfully ask that you make every effort you can to accommodate your neighbors,” he said adding that if not the council would need to force its hand.
Cammarano said steps to rectify the noise problem have made progress over the years.
“We have had some years we haven’t had an issue,” he said.
Anastasi said he doesn’t mind paying for a decibel reading to make sure noise levels from the bar follow the ordinance.
“I would like to do something to stop the misunderstanding [and] miscommunication,” he said adding that it is stressful to find a middle ground to appease his neighbors and cater to his patrons.
Anastasi said the noise issue occurs 6 to 7 times a year on the weekends, not all year round.
Cammarano said it’s clear the noise issue has been improved and it’s a step in the right direction with more work to be done.
“The volume [of police calls for noise has gone] down significantly,” he said. “But we’re not quite there yet.”