Town of Union

DOZENS OF ENDWELL RESIDENT PETITION TOWN BOARD TO KEEP BAR FROM OPENING:

Dozens of Endwell residents are trying to stop a bar from opening at 3109 Watson Blvd. — a former bar site that they say is known for its noise, drug activity, loud music and motorcycle drag-racing into the early-morning hours. ... Seventy-six residents who live close to the former Endwell Pub signed a petition, which the town board unanimously accepted Wednesday night, not to allow the occupancy of a bar near Hooper Road on Watson Boulevard. The property, which appears to be a house rather than a business, is now vacant.

Frank J. Dirighad sent a letter to the town last month, saying that he intends to file for a liquor license for the pub, which has been closed for several months. Upon learning that information, Rupe Konecny, who lives near the old bar, said he started the petition drive.

"How do you feel about it? Do you want a bar there?" Konecny asked the town board. "There are always arguments, noise, broken glass. The building is a dump."

New York state, however, is responsible for issuing liquor licenses, not the town. And the property is zoned to allow a bar at the site.

"The problem the town has is that it can't pick and choose whether it wants a legitimate business in there," Town Attorney Alan Pope said to Konecny.

Zoning's funny that way.