Noise Complaints Over Green Knoll Grill Continue In Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Green Knoll Grill's outdoor entertainment was once again a topic of discussion at the recent Bridgewater Council meeting with two residents expressing their issues with what they say is loud noise.

Steve Weiss, who lives off Village Circle in the CrossRoads at Bridgewater, said at the July 18 meeting that he was speaking in support of his neighbors in what he considers also to be "excessive noise pollution coming from that facility in the later hours of the evening."

Weiss added that he frequents the restaurant 645 Route 202/206 with people "a lot" and he is not "averse to having the facility there" but asked the council to look into the matter further.

Weiss said he believed the Green Knoll Grill was violating the town's noise ordinance.

Bridgewater's noise ordinance states:

Between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., impulsive sound shall not equal or exceed 80 decibels. Between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., impulsive sound which occurs less than four times in any hour shall not equal or exceed 80 decibels.

Victor Caliman, who also lives on Village Drive across from the restaurant, spoke at the recent meeting and prior meetings about noise issues. He noted that he believed his words were taken out of context in prior news articles. Read More: Green Knoll Grill's Outdoor Music May Be In Jeopardy

Caliman read a statement at the meeting:

Once again I am here as 1 of 30 families. My neighbor Steve here would make that 31 who have concerns about the Green Knoll Grill. I am not here as an individual who has any kind of personal vendetta…. We value the organization's right to exist, they provide jobs. God bless them, God bless America. I am simply here to set the record straight. We have problems with the noise and appreciate the council looking into that.

An OPRA request with the police department by Patch found that there were seven noise complaints reported in the last five years against the Green Knoll Grill. All of the complaints were made by three people, two of which live in the same home. The complaints are as follows:

1. June 1, 2017, at 8:45 p.m.
2. June 25, 2020, at 9:17 p.m.
3. June 10, 2021, at 9:13 p.m.
4. July 30, 2021, at 7:34 p.m.
5. Aug. 20, 2021, at 8:08 p.m.
6. Oct. 2, 2021, at 9:01 p.m.
7. May 19, 2022, at 6:46 p.m.

Weiss also noted he had an issue with parking as patrons will park in their community. An OPRA request with the police department by Patch found that there was only one in the last five years on Nov. 21, 2018.

Bridgewater Council President Allen Kurdyla noted that the council has taken a significant amount of time out of the last three meetings to discuss the Green Knoll Grill.

"Your words given to the governing body are taken seriously," Kurdyla assured Caliman.

Since the complaints arose at the council meeting, other residents and patrons of the restaurant have started a petition to show their support of the Green Knoll Grill's live music.

The petition has more than 1,200 signatures as of Thursday. To read or sign the petition click here.

Creators of the petition are asking supporters of Green Knoll Grill's live outdoor entertainment to be present at the Bridgewater Township Council meeting on Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bridgewater Township Court Room when a decision is supposed to be rendered by the council.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.