Last summer, Naplate Village Board members approved an amendment to the Alcoholic Liquor Ordinance allowing for an additional $50 permit fee for the "right to provide an enclosed and controlled outdoor area" and designated outdoor area hours from opening until 11 p.m. for liquor license holders.

The ordinance specifies alcoholic beverages cannot be sold from the outdoor premises but can be served by employees when the alcohol is bought on the premises.

The ordinance also states "there shall be no live outdoor music except as granted for special occasions approved by the Village Board," and "music from speakers will be allowed until 9 p.m." This is what has created a disagreement between Bears Den owner Steve Moreno and residents Cheryl Mucci, a former village trustee, and Patti Kammerer.

Earlier this month, Moreno appeared before the board to request permission to host live bands twice a month and said he would welcome a focus group to discuss and solve any issues, as well as a referendum.

Moreno previously told the board a recent benefit brought in about 500 people to his establishment — with no problems or incidents — but revenue for both the business and village was lost because the band had to leave early.

Moreno pointed out he was asking for a business opportunity.

"I'm asking for a couple of additional hours and an extra night. The benefits far outweigh the cons in this issue."

But Naplate has a clouded bar history since the village was incorporated in 1947. Kammerer did some research and discovered at one time the village had 18 bar owners.

"According to the 1940 Census, there is a list of 18 names, and of course the village was smaller. Our opposition to live music is that we don't want to see Naplate go back to the way it was back then."

"Our home is one-half block away from the Bears Den," Kammerer said. "When he has music, it bounces off a barn we have right next door. Honestly, we have a quiet village, and I just don't want to hear it."

The women said they are not just concerned for themselves.

"Again, like I said at the meeting," Mucci said, "I don't want to mention any names because they can speak for themselves but many other residents feel the same way. But there is something else to consider. Loud music will not be a selling point when our elderly citizens move out and try to sell their homes. So we are thinking about our future, too."

"How would it affect our property values?" Kammerer asked. "I know I wouldn't buy a house in a neighborhood if I knew there were (outdoor) bands on Saturday nights."

There are six taverns on Ottawa Avenue within a block of each other.

"Mr. Moreno said there were no incidents or trouble when he had live music for his benefit (earlier this month)," Mucci continued. "But if live music and large crowds are allowed on a continuing basis, the chance of confrontations would be greater, and we will have a lot of people walking back and forth in the neighborhood."

The women also questioned whether the taverns would schedule music on the same Saturdays.

Village trustees discussed getting more input from residents before making a decision.