Resident starts petition to quiet Massimo’s concerts

A concerned citizen returned to the Niles City Council Monday night with a complaint she registered two months earlier.

She believes the weekly Saturday concerts held at Massimo’s Backside Bar are too loud.

“We had to call the police out because we couldn’t watch our TV or listen to it. We need to get something taken care of about this,” said Mary Goodman, who lives in the 1300 block of Phoenix Street, about three-quarters of a mile away from the bar in question.

In addition to making an official complaint, Goodman also presented the council with a petition she said was signed by 39 people who want the live music at Massimo’s to stop.

The council did not discuss the issue during its meeting, although councilman Dan VandenHeede brought it up during his report to the council.

“It is something the council is looking into,” he said.

Bar owners Cindy and Massimo Cataldo said after the meeting that they have gathered more than 400 signatures from people in support of the restaurant’s Saturday night concerts.

Massimo said he has heard from several customers who live on Phoenix Street or closer to the bar.

“They can hear it faintly, but we’ve had no one come to us and say they couldn’t hear their TV because of the music we play,” he said.

The Cataldos plan on going forward with Saturday concerts, which run from 8 p.m. to midnight.

“The only way I can look at it as a business owner is that you can’t please everybody,” Massimo said. “We still get people that come out and love what we are doing.”

In May, City Administrator Ric Huff said Massimo’s had been asked to stop the music at midnight even though the business is allowed to be open and entertain until 2 a.m.

Also Monday, the council:

• Approved a request from the Niles Burn Run to conduct the 13th annual Niles Burn Run motorcycle ride and festival July 11 to 13 in downtown Niles.

Scott Roberts, Burn Run President, said the non-profit organization was able to donate $23,000 raised at last year’s event to the Great Lakes Burn Camp. In 12 years, the Burn Run has donated more than $115,000 to the camp, a place where young burn survivors can go to meet, heal and grow.

“At an average cost of $600 per child… that’s over 191 children that have been able to, at least partially, forget about their physical and metal scars and just enjoy being a kid again,” Roberts said.

• Adopted a resolution in support of adding more state and county services at the Berrien County South County Building in Niles. County Commissioner John Klimek thanked the council for taking the stance. Resident Jan Personette said adding Department of Human Services programs there is “something that we need terribly.”

• Accepted a bid of approximately $10,000 from Willis Construction, of South Bend, Indiana, to complete a sidewalk replacement program on Chicago Road, South Third Street and a small section of Michigan Highway 51 South.

• Accepted a request to co-host and support a forum of experts to develop of five-year plan for Fort St. Joseph archaeological site. It includes a $2,500 grant from the city.