License commission to hold public hearing after residents and councilor ask for review of TELUS noise and post‑bar activity

The Northampton License Commission agreed Sept. 17 to schedule a public hearing on noise and public‑safety complaints related to TELUS after receiving a referral from the Ordinance Review Committee and constituent letters.

Chair Natasha Aqiblev told the commission that the clerk had pulled police records showing many contacts in the downtown area; the clerk reported 289 phone calls between July 1, 2023, and the week of the Sept. 17 meeting and noted 175 liquor‑establishment checks during that span. Commissioners said they want the police department to attend the public hearing to explain patrol activity, bar checks and any enforcement responses so the commission can separate noise‑level measurements from incidents that occur on public property after bars close.

Why the commission scheduled a hearing
Ward 4 councilors and the ordinance review committee asked the commission to review the complaints to provide a response to constituents. Commissioners said the issues raised fall into two distinct categories: (1) acoustic noise from the business that may or may not exceed local decibel limits and (2) groups gathering on public property after establishments close, which is primarily a police matter. The commission said it will invite TELUS management, police representatives and any complainants to the Oct. 15 public hearing so the parties can present evidence and the commission can ask targeted questions.

What the police and owners will be asked to provide
The clerk will request that police staff explain their bar checks and call‑for‑service categories; the commission also asked that TELUS or its owner provide information about in‑house sound mitigation (acoustic treatments, doors, and any plans the establishment has used to contain sound) and their procedures for managing patron egress after closing. The commission noted that the city’s readmittance rules for the 1–2 a.m. license extension may be relevant for establishments that stay open until 2 a.m.

Why it matters
Commissioners said they want to avoid treating post‑closing fights or incidents on public property as an automatic licensing violation if those occurrences are beyond a licensee’s control, while also ensuring that businesses comply with noise and readmittance regulations where applicable. The hearing will give residents, police and licensees an opportunity to present evidence to the commission.

Next steps
The commission set a public hearing for its next regular meeting on Oct. 15 and asked the clerk to invite a police representative to explain patrols, bar checks and the department’s responses to complaints about downtown gatherings after closing.