Residents 'Worn Out' By Outdoor Night Music From Latitudes Restaurant

A number of residents who live near the Latitudes restaurant told Township Committee members the noise problems from outdoor night music are getting worse, not better.

"To my amazement, this past week was the worst ever," said Carolyn Adams at the Aug. 15 meeting. "It's something I can't even explain to you...how awful it was. It's gotten worse."

Residents said the constant "pounding" from the music - both canned and live - make it impossible to open windows, have guests or even sleep.

"It's obvious to me that Latitudes is pretty much ignoring everything," one man said. "They are scofflaws. It's like Chinese torture. It's driving me crazy."

After listening to a number of residents, Township Committeewoman Helen DelaCruz had had enough. She made a motion to turn the times back from midnight to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays until Labor Day.

"I think the people have suffered enough," DelaCruz said. "Everyone has the right to open the window and enjoy the cool summer breezes. I make a motion we change the time back to 10 p.m."

"So what are you advocating, Mrs. DelaCruz?" Mayor David E. Most said after Delacruz asked for the motion. "That they have no music at all?"

Township Committee members agreed back in May on a pilot project for the Latitudes and the Captain's Inn that would allow the restaurants to play live outside music until midnight on Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day.

But residents in the area began complaining about loud noise and drunken patrons almost from the beginning of the project. Township Committee agreed in July to push the times back from midnight to 11 p.m.

Township Committeeman Sean Sharkey seconded the Delacruz's motion. Sharkey said he agreed back in May to try the pilot project.

But he said he changed his mind since listening to residents' complaints about the noise at every meeting this summer.

"It looks like it's doing more harm to local residents," he said.

The vote split along party lines. Democrats DelaCruz and Sharkey voted yes on the motion, which would have rolled the outdoor music times back to 10 p.m.

Republicans Most and Township Committeemen Mark Dykoff and Gary Quinn voted no.

Most said last night that Police Chief David A. Paprota issued a summons to Latitudes last week. The township now has two police officers trained in interpreting decibel levels, he said.

Most said he would meet with Paprota on Friday to discuss the latest complaints. The mayor said he wants to review all the information and "look at the logistics."

"I want the chief involved," he said. "I don't want to rush into a decision."

Quinn noted that there weren't as many objectors in the audience as at previous meetings.

"I'm not of the impression it is getting worse," Quinn said, and several audience members groaned.

"Disgraceful," one woman muttered.

Resident Gregory Pancza - who bucked the local GOP Township Committee candidates when he ran unsuccessfully in the June primary - asked if residents had a chance to comment before the pilot project began.

"No, they weren't," Most replied.

"Why?" Pancza said. "Why are you waiting so long to address this?"

"We aren't waiting," Most said. "I can assure you the chief is on top of this. We instituted this as a pilot program. Let it run through summer."

Pancza then said the police department was already understaffed and said the hours should be rolled back, rather than using police resources to respond to complaints.

"Are you a police officer?" Most asked.

"What does it matter?" Pancza replied.

When some residents began calling out from the audience, Most rapped his gavel and called for a point of order.

"I will have you escorted," he told one woman.

"I think you are out of order, Mayor," Pancza said. "My occupation has no bearing on this. I asked a simple question."

Dykoff said he understood the Captain's Inn was complying with the times.

"I really don't like your attitude," he told Pancza. "I feel you are attacking the committee."

Most later apologized to Pancza if he had "offended" him in any way.

"I'm simply a resident," Pancza said. "Not a candidate anymore. Just a resident that's concerned."

"Any more comments from the public?" Most asked, as the clock ticked towards 10:30 pm.

"You bet," resident Regina Discenza said. "And you're not going to like it. "I've been watching this saga since May. I think the three of you left your spines at the door."