Starks sues to block Hempstock festival

STARKS – Town officials are suing the organizers of “Hempstock,” an annual marijuana-and-music festival that has drawn loud complaints from residents.

The complaint alleges that Don Christen and his pro-hemp group, Maine Vocals, violated the town’s mass-gathering ordinance during last August’s festival.

Christen held the 11th annual Hempstock even though he did not have a permit from town officials. While a heavy police presence stopped more than 1,000 cars at roadblocks, Christen said more than 1,800 people attended the four-day festival.

The town requires a mass-gathering permit, based on an ordinance passed last spring, when more than 750 people attend an event over a six-hour period or when noise levels exceed 45 decibels after 10 p.m.

Police measured decibel levels at last year’s festival and turned those records over to town officials. The town’s lawsuit alleges that the 45-decibel sound limit was exceeded each of four nights during last year’s festival.

Ken Lexier, the town’s attorney, said the town is seeking a preliminary injunction to block this summer’s festival. The injunction would be enforced if Christen is not granted a mass-gathering permit this year.

The lawsuit is just the latest effort to put a lid on the festival that attracts thousands of people to this central Maine town with just 500 residents.

Christen and the Maine Vocals are scheduled to face criminal charges in March or April, a Somerset County prosecutor said. Both face four counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly failing to turn down the festival’s music despite neighbors’ complaints.

Prosecutors also are seeking a court order to force Christen to turn over the pro-marijuana group’s financial records.

Christen, who is representing himself, has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. He could not be reached for comment.