Select Board renews Iron Tails liquor license amid noise, Mass Gathering and sheriff-comment controversy

The Town of Acton Select Board voted July 8 to renew the liquor license for Iron Tails after hearing reports from town officials and extended public comment.

Town Administrator Jennifer Roux read letters from the Fire Chief, Code Officer and the Sheriff's Office indicating no direct objections to the renewal and summarized numerous emails sent to the town—she said most were supportive though a few opposed. Before voting, select board members clarified that entertainment at the venue is governed by the Planning Board's conditional-use permit, not by the Select Board.

Board members spoke in favor of renewal. Select Board member Tom McGurty noted he had no safety concerns and said the Sheriff described the establishment as well managed with regard to alcohol. Member David Winchell said he had no issue granting the license, though he criticized a line in the Sheriff's comments about an accident on Milton Mills Road as unnecessary. Jon Denekamp reiterated the board was not attempting to dictate entertainment.

Greg Martinez, who identified himself as the Iron Tails owner, told the board he had worked with law enforcement after the June incident and provided point-of-sale records and video to the Sheriff's Office. Martinez said the guest involved had left and later returned, ordered one drink each and did not come back after leaving the property that night; he said he was disappointed the sheriff's remarks might suggest the establishment bore responsibility. Martinez asked for clarity after hearing references at a Planning Board meeting that suggested Select Board involvement in restricting entertainment; Denekamp and others said conditional-use review remains the Planning Board's jurisdiction.

Multiple residents raised noise concerns and asked for clearer enforcement and updated Mass Gathering rules. Bill Wawrzeniak and Chris LeClerc said recent sound readings near Iron Tails are at or near the allowable limit and urged a joint effort by the Select Board and Planning Board to reconcile the Mass Gathering process, noise limits and conditional-use conditions. The board said a legal opinion is being sought, that the Mass Gathering ordinance dates from the 1980s and needs updating, and that the Planning Board is the primary body for issuing Mass Gathering permits at this stage.

After discussion, Select Board member David Winchell moved to approve the liquor license renewal and Daniel Norwood seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The Select Board closed the public hearing on Iron Tails' license; members said they will continue work on ordinance language and enforcement procedures and will seek legal guidance on Mass Gathering and related conditional-use questions.