Condo resident urges review of ‘Gomba’ restaurant entertainment license; commission schedules hearing

A Northampton condominium resident told the License Commission on Sept. 17 that loud live music from a street‑level restaurant, identified in the comment as “Gomba” (same building as 155 Main Street), has increased noise levels in his unit and prompted him to ask the commission to revisit the restaurant’s entertainment license.

Alexander Bukovsky, who gave his address as Unit 7 and 8 of 155 Main Street, said he and his wife have lived in the building for about 20 years and described the units as strictly residential. "Since Gombe restaurant obtained the entertainment license, we experienced some problems," Bukovsky said, adding that when live music plays "there is the unreasonable load level increase in our condo. And we suffer from that."

Commission response and next steps
Commissioners thanked Bukovsky for speaking. Later in the meeting, commissioners discussed noise complaints more broadly and agreed to schedule public hearings for both TELUS and this restaurant to allow owners, residents and police to present evidence. The commission set the next regular meeting on Oct. 15 as the date for hearings to permit further fact‑finding.

Related building and maintenance note
During the Gomba discussion a resident named Cassidy said building access issues to vents had been resolved; Cassidy told the commission that access was obtained and vents were cleaned. Commissioners noted that safety or maintenance matters that involve unit access or a homeowners‑association are separate from licensing but relevant to resolving noise and ventilation concerns.

Why it matters
The complaint highlights a recurring local issue: how to balance downtown entertainment and live performance opportunities with the rights of residents who live above or near commercial establishments. The planned hearing on Oct. 15 will give residents and the restaurant an opportunity to present measurements, mitigation steps and operational plans.