Ballard’s and town reach agreement

The Town of New Shoreham and Ballard’s have reached a settlement agreement in the matter of the liquor and outdoor entertainment license suspensions imposed by the town on August 22, 2022 at a show cause hearing attended by over 100 members of the public and went on for about eight hours. The suspensions came as a result of problems that occurred throughout the summer at the beach venue, culminating on August 8, Victory Day in Rhode Island, when Ballard’s hosted a Reggae Festival. Each license was suspended for 14 days.Immediately, Ballard’s appealed the suspensions to the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, the avenue of appeal for liquor license violations, and to the Rhode Island Superior Court regarding the outdoor entertainment license.The DBR agreed to Ballard’s request for a stay on the liquor license, stating that the problems that arose on August 8, which extended out into the ferry boarding and parking areas, and then onto the boat itself, were a result of the draw of the entertainment, and not because of the service of alcohol.The Superior Court also granted a stay, but it imposed its own restrictions on Ballard’s, including a prohibition against live music and requiring

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