Bethel awards Mysteryland permits; Neighbors object to noise

Posted 9/30/09

WHITE LAKE, NY — At the town meeting on April 8, the Bethel town board awarded permits to allow Mysteryland to take place once again this year over the Memorial Day weekend. In addressing some …

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Bethel awards Mysteryland permits; Neighbors object to noise

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WHITE LAKE, NY — At the town meeting on April 8, the Bethel town board awarded permits to allow Mysteryland to take place once again this year over the Memorial Day weekend. In addressing some complaints from neighbors last year, there were specific limits placed on the permits.

The permit that allows for fireworks displays on two nights at the end of concert performances, limits the displays to 10 minutes each, although they occur at 1:50 a.m. The permit also requires the promoters to take out newspaper ads in a local newspaper to alert the people around Bethel Woods Center for the Arts that the fireworks will be taking place.

Some 30,000 people are expected to attend the event this year. Last year many business owners in the area said they experienced a boost in business from the event, and lawmakers expressed the view that it is a positive way to start the summer tourism season. Last year, however, there were also complaints from neighbors who said the sound was so loud and the bass was so strong that pictures were knocked off walls in nearby homes.

At the April 8 meeting one resident said, “That can’t happen again.”

Brian Tampke, the project manager for Mysteryland, said the organization is working to minimize the impact on neighboring homes this year.

Maura Stone, a writer who lives near Bethel Woods, said she has hyperacusi—sensitivity to sound—“and I had to drug myself last year.” She wanted to know what the decibel levels of the sound from the stage would be.

Supervisor Dan Sturm said Mysteryland had agreed to hire a third-party sound consultant who is going to determine the decibel levels and help to arrange the sound system for minimum impact on the neighbors.

One of the council members also commented on the sound. In moving the resolution to grant the permits, Lillian Hendickson said, “Even though I got shook up at my house a little bit last year, I’ll make the motion.”

On another issue, Jane Axamethy, who owns the Bake House in Kauneonga Lake, said she was a vendor at

Mysteryland last year, but this year was not selected to participate. Another resident said local vendors should have “first preference, if they qualify.”

Tamke said he would look into the question.

There are various levels of ticket prices for the event, ranging from $109 to $2,800. Resident Bob Barrett once again said that because of the large amount of revenue generated, the town should get some portion of it, as was the case with a three-day concert in the Town of Saugerties last July.

Sturm said the matter had been discussed. He said, “We are finalizing some discussions between the Bethel Local Development Corporation and Mysteryland and there will be more information to follow.”

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