Buzzards Play Productions, struggling for financial survival, secured the Board of Selectmen’s approval on Tuesday to sell liquor on four separate occasions.

The Selectmen brought to owner Spike Rogers’ attention that Wareham Police Chief Kevin Walsh recommended any musical event have two detail officers. At $40 per hour for each officer, and a minimum of four hours, that would be at least $320 for each musical event.

Rogers agreed to Walsh’s request and was granted the licenses.

Rather than approaching the Board with requests for one-day permits, Teitelbaum suggested Buzzards Play Productions secure a seasonal license with an extension.

The proposal faced opposition from Selectman Patrick Tropeano, who defended the concept that a liquor license should only be for restaurants.

Tropeano associated a musical event hosted by the playhouse as a stepping stone to the creation a nightclub in Wareham.

“This is just a bad, bad thing. I don't like it, I don’t want anything to do with it,” said Tropeano. “It’s different when you have a music thing, completely different.”

Selectman Alan Slavin disagreed.

“We have more than a few places that have karaoke in their restaurants, and entertainment is entertainment,” he said.

Buzzards Play Productions has run into problems securing licenses with the Board of Selectmen before. In March, the venue was denied four licenses to sell liquor during musical events due to an ongoing police investigation.

Member James Cotter explained the reality of Buzzards Play Production's finances. He said selling liquor during events brings in more money than hosting clinics for theater and acting.

With Buzzards Play Productions struggling to stay afloat, a frustrated Rogers pleaded with Selectmen to offer some help. He brought in younger members of the organization to make his point.

“The younger people that are affiliated with us want to make it better,” said Rogers.

Cotter and others are “trying to build [Buzzards Play Productions] into something beautiful and something positive." Cotter invited the Selectmen to sit with them, meet with them, and said that they would “gladly show [the Selectmen] a plan of action.”

Chair Judith Whiteside and Selectmen Peter Teitelbaum were supportive of the initiative. Whiteside directed the young members to make connections in the community with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club and The Gleason Family YMCA.

“The people who work with youth in this town need places for the youth to engage in appropriate activity,” she said, coming up with the idea to apply for a grant. She encouraged Buzzards Play Production to take some time, make some connections, then come back before the board.