Neighbors try to squash Strawbery.

BRENTWOOD — A group of neighbors is asking a judge to overturn Portsmouth’s decision to allow Strawbery Banke Museum to operate an outdoor skating rink on its 8-acre property this winter, claiming it will add “noise, music, lights” and traffic to their otherwise quiet South End neighborhood.

Jonathan Springer, a lawyer who represents 16 neighbors, filed a petition in Rockingham County Superior Court, claiming that the non-profit museum is carrying out a commercial operation that will inevitably disrupt his clients day and night.

The residents want a judge to deem illegal a June 18 decision by the Portsmouth Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Over the objections of residents at a public hearing, the ZBA granted variances for the skating rink to operate during the winter months, court papers say.

The rink was proposed as an 85-by-120-foot oval with a 60-foot diameter circular skating area.

Supporting machinery includes a “rink chiller,” a transformer, skate-sharpening machine and a concessions pavilion, according to court papers.

The museum plans to charge a fee for public skating, skating lessons, “pond hockey” and selling food and alcohol at a cafe, Springer said in court papers.

Strawbery Banke describes itself as a “living history museum” that recreates everyday life in Portsmouth from the 1600s to the 1950s.

http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130925/NEWS/130929582

Somebody must know somebody to get that through!!

If it helps fund the Museum I am all for it. If it wasn't for Strawbery Banke Museum that whole area would have been razed and who knows what built there instead. I think that having to put up with the sounds of people having fun is a small price to pay.

I don't know enough about the rink to speculate.

I know this was resolved in Wolfeboro and I'm not trying to throw any stones.

When the Farmer's Market here in Wolfeboro was proposed there were concerns by the neighbors. I don't know for sure if any problems came up but I haven't heard of any. I hope the Farmer's market worked well for all involved.

I think the ice skating rink at the Banke is a great idea for fund raising. If it bombs out or causes too many problems it could be stopped. It's not like it is a permanent structure. I'd love to visit something like that during the holidays.

I agree, however, since it has not always been there, I don't think the neighbors should now be subjected to loud noises. I feel sorry for them if they do. I guess it depends on the volume of the noise.

WHL wrote:I agree, however, since it has not always been there, I don't think the neighbors should now be subjected to loud noises.  I feel sorry for them if they do.  I guess it depends on the volume of the noise.

The neighbors can do a little "Civil Disobedience".

Turn up their speakers, and play a repeated show of Rush Limbaugh.

 

That would do it!

News Hawk wrote:

WHL wrote:I agree, however, since it has not always been there, I don't think the neighbors should now be subjected to loud noises.  I feel sorry for them if they do.  I guess it depends on the volume of the noise.

The neighbors can do a little "Civil Disobedience".

Turn up their speakers, and play a repeated show of Rush Limbaugh.

 

How about playing the Cruz diatribe. That should make some people go completely nuts.