By Carol Britton Meyer

The select board this week reached a compromise with Shipwreck’d owner Lillian Parker, who went before the board requesting approval to amend the Pemberton Pier eatery’s entertainment license to allow live music. The board approved live entertainment two days per week.

There was some confusion about the wording on the application, which requested “to add live music consisting of vocal, with (3) instruments, guitar, keyboard, percussion, string/amplification for speakers, sound bar, microphone only.”

The initially requested days and hours to offer live music were Thursdays from 1 to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 1 to 10 p.m., and Sundays, from 2 to 8 p.m.

However, following a lengthy discussion and clarification of Parker’s intent, it was determined that she was not planning to offer live music on all four days for all those hours.

“We’ve had multiple requests from patrons that we offer live music,” Parker said. “It seems like something the public wants, but we’re not talking about bands with full drums and other instruments.”

Some neighbors expressed concerns about the request before the compromise was reached.

Channel Street resident Lisa Scannell said she doesn’t want to “listen to a band on a given day” when’s she’s trying to enjoy the peace and quiet of her home. She was also concerned about setting a precedent.

Another neighbor said that “Hullonians cherish our summers. We work all week, and this is our oasis.” He also noted that the footprint of Shipwreck’d “is smaller than my home’s.”

Parker, who also owns the SandBar and is a resident of Hull, said she was not talking about having a large speaker system, but rather “a small speaker so a microphone could be used” rather than just vocals.

“I am a good neighbor, and I don’t want to interrupt anyone’s quality of life,” she said.

Resident Abby Klieman noted that Parker “has done everything she can to improve the space. If the live music ends up being a nuisance,” it could be addressed later by the board.

Select board member Greg Grey said he was having a struggle with this being a request for outdoor entertainment rather than inside, due to the noise factor.

He said he could support occasional live entertainment, which would require Parker to go before the board for approval each time. That would be challenging, Parker said, because of her heavy work schedule.

Board member Brian McCarthy said he has “a huge problem with the word ‘amplified.’” [What I’m saying] has no bearing on you whatsoever,” he told Parker, “but this is such a small spot [for amplified music].”

At this point, Parker asked for clarification of the word because she sensed that the board’s perception was different from hers.

However, Town Manager Jennifer Constable said that would be difficult to do since Hull does not have a noise bylaw.

Following concerns expressed by some neighbors and select board members, Parker said she was willing to amend her request in accordance with those concerns and that ways to mitigate the sound are under consideration.

After further discussion, a motion was made – and approved – to amend the entertainment license of Shipwreck’d to allow live music up to two times a week during the Thursday through Sunday time period for no longer than four-hour sets per day/night and until no later than 8 p.m. Live music will be limited to not more than two-person acoustical acts and cannot be played on any two consecutive days/nights.

Chair Irwin Nesoff thanked Parker for her “willingness to compromise.”

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed and support our work with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.