Selectmen OK Earlier Start for Howl at the Moon Band at Splitsville

The live music of the Howl at the Moon band can now be heard in Foxborough two hours earlier on Thursday.

At last week’s selectmen meeting, the board voted 3-2 to allow Splitsville to feature live music starting at 6 p.m. on Thursdays. The end time will remain the same.

Selectmen Ginny Coppola and John Gray voted against the motion.

The request comes about 10 months since the opening of the business at Patriot Place. According to part-owner Paul Holian, weekend business has been good but the weekdays have been spotty.

“We see an opportunity on Thursdays to add to our core business. We don’t view that entertainment as non-family friendly, we actually hope that it is,” Holian said.

Coppola said she was concern that the earlier hours for the band would also bring a club atmosphere at dinner time, but Splitsville representatives said that would not be the case, noting that their musicians performed for a family crowd during last year’s Foxboro Jaycees Concerts on the Common.

“At the end of the day Howl at the Moon is music. During the late night, it does have a different appeal but I don’t think you have to have one or the other, you can have music and a family atmosphere,” Holian said.

Selectman David Feldman, who has been working with the revived group of liquor license holders in town known at Foxcares, said Splitsville has been represented at every meeting and has shown a commitment to responsible service.

“If they come to us with a proposal they think they can help their business, I think we should consider it,” Feldman said.

Despite reservations last year, Chairman Jim DeVellis supported the change after observing a Thursday and Friday evening at the establishment.

The establishment will likely find themselves in front of the board again in the near future. A review of Splitsville’s first year in Foxborough along with a look at their liquor license is expected at a future meeting.