Selectmen to review restrictions on Muse license
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER
It has been two months since the selectmen restricted provisions of the entertainment license for the Muse nightclub, but the issues that led to that event may be resolved at tonight's board meeting.

The restrictions that took effect Feb. 21 banned any music after 11 p.m., required Muse owner Michael O'Reilly II to hire an expert to mitigate noise at the club and to bring the bar into compliance with the outdoor lighting bylaw, and ordered him to hold a meeting with neighbors concerning their complaints about loud music, light pollution and violence on the property.

The selectmen set a review hearing for tonight, when they will decide whether any or all the problems have been sufficiently corrected.

O'Reilly's attorney, James Merberg, sent a letter to the selectmen on April 19 that included reports on work done to tone down the lighting and noise, and noted that on Monday he and O'Reilly were to speak with the club's neighbors about progress to rectify matters that irked them.

Among the reports is an outline from electrician Jessie Goodnow. He stated that all the exterior lights at the Muse are being replaced or relocated so as not to exceed the average minimum recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. The new fixtures will be attached on the club's west and north sides. Lighting on the parking lot pole will be dropped to 28 feet above grade and have a full cutoff feature to prevent light from spreading through the neighborhood. All landscape uplighting is to be removed and replaced with standard lighting pointing down.

Sound expert Jamie Howarth also filed a report explaining that limiters have already been installed to prevent sound levels from exceeding established limits and subwoofers have been relocated to sections of the floor away from walls. Isolation pads are on order to place under speakers and further minimize vibrations. All nonessential club vents have been lined with acoustic insulation and sealed. New double-paned windows have been placed on the front deck wall to provide sound insulation, and the pool room emergency exit door has been replaced with an acoustic barrier door. Seams around the door have been sealed and insulated and the door will be shut at all times. Ten dense juniper trees have been planted across the right front of the building.

Howarth included a list of recommendations indicating that the most important area to treat is the west facing wall and roof of the club's poolroom because it is poorly soundproofed and susceptible to low frequencies. He said planting trees such as juniper in front of this area will help with sound issues. He also recommends air-conditioning be installed so that windows are not propped open.

"By following these recommendations the Muse will be able to significantly reduce the transmission of sound to the outside of the building," he wrote.

Less than two weeks after the selectmen restricted O'Reilly's entertainment license, he placed the nightclub on the market for $7 million but also hired Brian Glowacki to oversee

the club's entertainment. I