Greylock Works in North Adams Approved for New Year's EventBy Tammy Daniels, iBerkshires Staff
08:08PM / Monday, November 23, 2015 | |
 A section of the Cariddi Mill has been approved for a dance party this New Year's Eve. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Greylock Mill is reintroducing itself to the Berkshires with a bang this New Year's Eve.
The License Board on Thursday approved a one-day liquor and entertainment license for a dinner and dance party in what will be the Greylock Works portion of the century-old mill that is currently being renovated.
The mill's owner, Salvatore Perry of Latent Productions, is keeping mum on the entertainment part of the dance party. Tickets are expected to go on sale this week, with separate tickets available for just the dance party.
The dinner and cash bar will be served by Nancy Thomas and the Mezze Catering, part of the restaurant group that operates the well-known Mezze in Williamstown and Allium in Great Barrington. Both restaurants are known for their use of locally grown fare, something that will be a component of Greylock Works.
The Planning Board in October approved the mill's 34,000-square-foot Weave Shed for use as an events location. Perry and his partner, Karla Rothstein, are envisioning an artisanal food crafting facility that will include a small restaurant and space for large gatherings.
The 10,000 square feet dedicated to that portion could seat 150 for meals or accommodate 950 for a dance party.
"We're not expecting that many people," Perry told the License Board. "We'll see when we start selling tickets."
The board's focus was on alcohol sales, parking and noise, since it also approved an entertainment license for the facility for 2016.
Perry said no one under age 21 would be allowed into the party, and that IDs would be checked at the door. The event is also working with social groups, such as Berkshire Shenanigans, to consider charter buses to reduce traffic and parking, and to keep everyone safe.
Overconsumption of alcohol was issue Chairman Jeffrey Polucci wanted Perry and the Mezze staff to keep in mind.
"You've got a great project here," he said. "You don't want someone getting into a car accident.
"Liquor service in Massachusetts is not a right. If you think someone has been drinking too much, you don't have to serve them."
Perry said the between the cost of the tickets and the separate cash bar, "we're not incentivizing overdrinking."
He said the family style dinner will be followed by the dance party around 8:30 or 9 p.m. He expected everything shut down by 1:30 and closed by 2 a.m.
He did not anticipate issues with events in the coming year, saying the property has plentiful parking and masonry walls to reduce noise.
Board member Rosemari Dickinson noted that events such as New Year's shouldn't be too noisy since they will be held inside and that during the winter, most residents will be in their homes with doors and windows closed. The nearby Greylock Club pavilion has outdoor music frequently during the summer until 10 or 11, she noted.
Polucci suggested Perry become acquainted with his neighbors to forestall any issues.
"We have no problem with that at all," he said of the entertainment. "But you have to work with your neighbors.
"The history of this board is to always go with the neighbors."
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