Mayor Domenic Sarno is asking the License Commission to consider an earlier closing hour for bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
SPRINGFIELD — A group of bars and restaurants, concerned about a 1 a.m. curfew on entertainment and wanting to promote downtown safety, have proposed pooling their funds to pay for 16 additional police officers in the entertainment district, according to a local lawyer.
The proposal, however, surfaces as Mayor Domenic J. Sarno has asked the License Commission to consider options including an earlier closing hour for bars.
Currently, bars can stay open until 2 a.m., but have to turn off their entertainment including music and television sets at 1 a.m., unless they have a “late-night” entertainment permit from the mayor. The curfew, which took effect April 6, was aimed at reducing late night violence and easing the burden on limited police resources, Sarno said.
Frank A Caruso, a local lawyer, said Tuesday he has been working with many of the downtown merchants, including clients, on the police funding idea, saying it will benefit the businesses and the city.
The business owners are aware it could cost up to $1 million annually for the additional police, who would patrol in the entertainment district, Caruso said. In addition, the liquor establishments would need to sign and live up to a “code of conduct” in the downtown, he said.
In exchange, they are asking to be allowed to stay open and provide entertainment until 2 a.m., Caruso said, in a letter to city councilors, dated July 2.
“A lot of merchants are on board and excited about the fact they can do something,” Caruso said.
City Councilor John A. Lysak praised the proposal Tuesday and said he plans to sponsor an ordinance to establish the police fund and the code of conduct. Details need to be worked out, but something is needed to help the businesses that are losing significant money due to the curfew, Lysak said.
“We need a vibrant downtown,” Lysak said. “Businesses are dying in the downtown at night.”
Sarno, in contrast, is asking the License Commission to consider setting an earlier closing hour for bars and nightclubs citywide as well as other options. The commission will discuss the mayor’s letter at its regular meeting July 26, but it is not a hearing and the commission will not make any decision that date, commission Chairman Peter L. Sygnator said.
Sarno, in his letter to the commission, dated June 29, said the curfew is working well by reducing late night police calls and arrests, but said he is asking the mayor-appointed commission “to build on the efforts initiated”
“For example, I would request that the License Commission consider exercising its authority pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 138, section 12, to adjust the operating hours of (liquor) licenses,” Sarno said.
The commission has “discretion” under that law to set an earlier closing hour between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., Sarno said. Sarno, however, does not recommend a specific closing hour in the letter, and could not be reached for comment Tuesday regarding what closing hour he may favor.
Sarno’s letter also states that “other jurisdictions” have regulations to prohibit re-entry into a bar after 1 a.m.
Some bars have filed suit in federal court, seeking to overturn the 1 a.m. entertainment curfew, and recently lost a preliminary ruling.
Letter to Springfield City Council
Letter From Mayor to License Commission and Springfield Police Statistics