HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS EXEC. MINUTES 4-14-1999 (2)Board of Selectmen CONFIDENTIAL
Executive Session Minutes v, r i*l -
April 14, 1999 ( u- r ° ICE
11:10 (lz` =fi.l _
Present: Chairwoman Royle, Clerk Wills, Selectmen Amoruso an Mciwer 1 1 i
John D Agostino, Town Manager
Arthur O'Neill, Police Chief 3." `t
Police Chief O'Neill addressed the Board stating lie would like to discuss an upcoming concert
scheduled for Great Woods on July 12 and 13, 1999, "Phish ". Chief O'Neill stated that lie is
concerned with a member of his department who has gone outside of the rules and regulations of
the department trying to increase the climate of fear, relative to the concert.
Chief O'Neill stated he will not be allowing any vacations or leaves during the two -day event and
that the problem with the group is that it is similar to the Grateful Dead, and its followers have a
contention with authority. A problem in the past has been that the crowd tries to charge the gates
at Great Woods. During their last concert at Great Woods, horses were brought in from Boston
and paid for by Great Woods. The horses worked very well dispersing the crowds.
Chief O'Neill is concerned that the last two years, "Phish" played at airfields were capacity was
not an issue, which may result in a number of extra patrons without tickets hoping to get into to
the concert and trying to crash the gates.
In the not too distant future, Chief O'Neill will be requesting the Selectmen ask Great Woods to
send the Police Chief, a detective, or a member of the Department to a "Phish" concert at another
center.
Ticket checks will be in full force at the bottom of the 140 ramp; Foxboro State Police and
Middleboro police will be advised of the affect this may have on traffic. The Boston Police
Department and Airway Division have been contacted, as has the Office of the Clrief of the
MBTA Police, to make sure busses are available.
The Chief may be requesting residences to post their yards "No Trespassing" and to call the
Police Department if anyone does, so that they may be arrested.
Discussion followed concerning Chief O'Neill's position at Great Woods, if the entertainment
license could be renewed without "Phish" on the schedule, and the burden being placed on the
town by this act performing at Great Woods. Chief O'Neill responded that not allowing "Phish"
to perform at Great Woods would be a violation of the First Amendment and that public safety
measures are being taken based upon experience.
Adjournment 11:55 PM
Motion: To go out of executive session only to adjourn.
(Amoruso- McCarter) All in favor. Passes.
Selectman Amoruso Aye,
Selectman McCarter Aye.
Clerk Wills Aye.
Chairwoman Royle Aye.
w• 's Sign a•e 11atelofIdpProval Dad of Re ease