Even though $850 seems a small price to pay for the mega machine Phish, selectmen forgave both the venue and the band Wednesday, saying the three-minute overtime for the last tune at the June 7 concert was not so bad for a group that features "improvisational rock."
The celebrated Vermont band launched its final number shortly before the 11 p.m. curfew specified in the entertainment license, but went three minutes over, causing selectmen to call Montgomery in for a meeting. According to the specifications of the license, the venue is charged for every person attending the concert, according to the number of minutes the concert extends past the deadline.
Montogmery, who said the concert center is in its 26th year, noted he had not been in to see the board for an overage problem all of last year, partly because the board had seen fit to grant some leeway for minor infractions.
Board member George Dentino told Montgomery, "I don't think $800 is a lot to charge - the responsibility lies with them and with your organization."
But others were more forgiving, and praised Montgomery for increased efforts to control vehicles and noise.
Jess Aptowitz said he had attended the Jimmy Buffet concert with fellow board member Oilvier Kozlowski, and described the evening as "organized mayhem." But he said the effort to get people who were waiting off the road was largely successful.
The staff has been letting cars in a half hour before the traditional opening time for the parking lot, and the holding area where adolescents wait for parents after being detained by police has been enlarged.