Could Lose Music Permit

    A third Montauk nightspot that has been cited for several noise violations this summer will be the subject of an East Hampton Town Board hearing to determine if its town music permit should be suspended. Ruschmeyer’s on Second House Road has received five citations for noise violations, two more than the number that triggers a permit hearing, according to the town code. The hearing will be scheduled for an upcoming town board work session.

    Town regulations require a bar/tavern or restaurant where any type of music is to be played indoors or out to obtain an annual music entertainment permit. Violations can be punishable by a fine of $1,000 to $5,000, up to 15 days in jail, or both.

    Should an establishment receive three summonses for any violation of the town noise ordinance within a year, the law calls for the town board to determine, after a hearing, whether it should limit, suspend, or revoke the music license.

    The board had planned to have a hearing on Aug. 14 on the Sloppy Tuna, which is in downtown Montauk, but learned this week that the bar did not have a music permit. It did, however, receive at least four citations for violating the town noise ordinance this summer and has addiionally been cited for not having the permit

    Similarly, after noise violations were issued to the Montauk Beach House, also downtown, it was discovered that no music permit had been issued for that establishment, either. That situation is complicated by the fact that the section of the town code requiring music permits refers only to permits being issued to a “bar/tavern” or restaurant. The Beach House is classified as a motel. The legality of its bar and other uses of the property is the subject of another story in this issue of The Star.