SANFORD — The leaseholder of a High Street banquet hall told town officials he has “informed the owner of the group” that alleged swinger parties will no longer take place at Mousam View Place.
In an email to Codes Enforcement Officer Shirley Sheesley, James Colley wrote that while a website advertising a party in November was still listed when he sent the email at 2:35 p.m. Tuesday, the event would not be taking place at the banquet hall.
“I have informed the owner of the group, which is neither Sue or myself, that the parties will no longer take place at Mousam View Place,” Colley wrote. “Our intent was never to violate any codes or embarrass this community, the building owner, or ourselves.”
Sanford town officials alleged the popular banquet hall has been the venue for sex parties for swingers, and ordered the lessees to cease hosting the events, citing violation of town codes that pertain to obscenity, among other alleged code violations.
In a certified letter addressed to James and Susan Colley dated Oct. 21, Sheesley alleged an investigation earlier this month showed about 40 patrons paid a fee to be admitted to Mousam View Place, also known as 47 High Street, and to join a “swingers club” meeting there.
During the investigation conducted during an undercover police operation Oct. 15, patrons were allegedly observed “in full nudity and engaging in a variety of sex acts” while food and alcoholic beverages were being served, according to the letter on file at town hall.
By 6:30 a.m. today, the website, which had not specifically named the location of the alleged swingers parties, had been modified and the Nov. 19 event, earlier listed as “Fetish Night,” had been removed along with two events scheduled for December.
The Colleys have operated Great Beginnings catering firm and have leased the banquet hall located at 47 High St. for several years. The 500-seat banquet hall, a popular venue for weddings and conferences, is owned by Northborough Realty Holdings LLC of Chelmsford, Mass, according to documents on file at the York County Registry of Deeds. The Colleys briefly leased a brick building attached to the banquet hall fronting on High Street after the Sanford Fraternal Association closed in March 2010 and operated it as a pub, but that venture was short-lived.
According to the letter sent to the Colleys by the town, the alleged events contravene town codes involving tumultuous conduct, public indecency and obscenity and are a nuisance. Great Beginnings holds victualers, dance and special amusement permits from the town that expire Dec. 31. Their liquor license expired Oct. 5.
Town Clerk Sue Cote earlier this week said James Colley has applied for a new liquor license for a company called Fresh Start Catering, which is scheduled to be taken up by the town council on Nov. 1.
The events were knowingly promoted, the town alleges, and the activity there “disturbs the peace of others of ordinary sensibilities and violates community standards of public decency, and/or creates a situation that endangers the public health, safety or welfare.”
In an email to the Journal Tribune Tuesday afternoon, a woman who identified herself as Lilith Brown said she is the owner of the group, and that she would be contacting Sanford municipal authorities today “to assure them that the owner of the group and the lessee of the hall are two different people.
“Swingers parties have been happening in Maine for decades, and will continue,” the woman wrote. “What has happened in Sanford is a travesty, a ”˜not in my backyard’ event. They are determined to crucify Mr. Colley for daring to find events to host in his hall.”
“I don’t hope to change the minds of people who are Bible thumping or pointing a moral compass,” the email continued. “I think about how far we have come as a civilization, and yet we still persecute people for being the sexual creatures that they are.”
In a telephone interview Monday, Susan Colley claimed she had not been involved in the business for about 18 months and referred questions to her husband. She declined to comment on the alleged swinger parties, and James Colley has not returned repeated requests for comment.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.