The Landing to cut the noise

MARBLEHEAD-Thursday was the day the music died – as far as The Landing?s amplified music is concerned.A noise complaint about The Landing uncovered a license violation when Front Street residents appeared before selectmen with Landing manager Robert Simonelli to discuss the noise level from the musical acts performing there.DeVan compared the noise from the night-time performances to having a car with a bass boom box pull alongside his car in traffic.?When you have two amplified guitars and a set of drums playing, it?s impossible not to hear it outside,” he said, arguing that the music turned the restaurant into “a nightclub.”Two more neighbors concurred. Michelle Goddard said the music seemed to get louder after 11 p.m., when it seemed to come through her window.DeVan said that Simonelli originally said he was going to have acoustic music.Town Administrator Tony Sasso consulted The Landing?s entertainment license. “There?s no amplified music approved for this location,” he said.Simonelli started the discussion in a conciliatory way, listing additional insulation and other sound blocks as methods he had tried to lower the noise and telling the neighbors, “I?m ready to do whatever is needed.”Hearing Sasso hint that a license violation could be involved, Simonelli appeared surprised. “That?s what people want to hear,” he said, explaining that he had the sound levels professionally measured and they were high and he was discussing several possible sound abatement procedures with a pricetag as high as $2,000.?Until the board allows amplification, this has to stop,” said Selectman William Woodfin.Selectman James Nye told Simonelli, “Right now it?s like you?re laughing at this license.” Simonelli denied that.Selectmen Chairman Jackie Belf-Becker cautioned Simonelli that he will have to get the sound abatement work done and then come before the board to add amplified music to his license – and the board could still refuse.