HEBRON — According to reports received by selectmen from attendees at the recent “Redneck Blank” organized by Harold Brooks, the event lacked sufficient lighting and had “almost a total lack of security.”

The board discussed the matter with Brooks at its Monday meeting.

On August 21, the town sent a letter to Brooks informing him of the complaints. At the meeting, Brooks claimed the reports are “a bunch of non-existent rumors.”

“So essentially, if someone doesn’t like my event and if they put it in a report, it automatically stands? That’s bogus,” said Brooks.

Selectman Dan Eichorn said event-goers expressed concern about the event’s lack of lighting, particularly in the parking areas, as well as poor security.

Selectmen said that in planning future events, Brooks will need to address both “issues.”

“What we heard was that there was next to no lighting … for some people to get back to their car, such that they didn’t feel safe,” Eichorn told Brooks.

According to Brooks three light towers were set up on the property during the event. Brooks pointed out that “everyone has a different level of safety.”

Brooks said the Redneck Blank drew in 2,000 people and 16-17 security guards were on duty.

“What do you suppose would happen, if you had a ‘total lack of security’ with 2,000 freaking people?” Brooks asked selectmen. “You’d have a riot – it’s that simple.”

But according to Brooks, everything went fine – even the state police officer on duty said “‘Wow, this is under control,'” he said.

Brooks said there were only a handful of people who he had to refuse to let drive home after they’d been drinking.

“We had plenty of security … there were less issues than we had last year,” he told selectmen.

He even said the crew from The Daily Show told him “how organized and together the whole thing was. They felt safe and thought it was under control,” he said.

Brooks said his security guards were mostly military veterans who felt “very offended” by the report. “These people can guard our country, but they can’t guard an event? I find that offensive,” said Brooks.

There was one issue, said Brooks, where a man leaving the event drove his car off the road between both entrances to Brooks’ property on Route 124 – though Brooks said he’s not sure whether alcohol was a factor.

“There was zero damage to that vehicle,” he said. According to state police, if there is under $1,000 damage done to a vehicle in an accident, it’s “a non-reportable accident,” said Brooks.

According to Brooks, he and the security guards did not have the right to check for sobriety of drivers. “I’m against drinking and driving, but at the same time, that’s not what they’re there for. They’re there to make sure people don’t sneak in and not pay,” Brooks explained.

“Nobody went to the hospital, and there were no arrests,” he said.

Brooks said the number of four-wheelers “zooming around” also became a hazard, so unfortunately he had to shut them down. He said that at his next event, no four-wheelers will be allowed after dusk or by the stage area.

Selectman Jim Reid said the town’s intent is not to shut down Brooks’ events. Instead, he said, the town is helping him to improve his business and avoid future problems.

In the letter, selectmen also expressed concern that Brooks failed to meet requirements of his mass gathering application. They said at the time of the provisional approval of the application, Brooks was told the license could not be issued until the town received proof of insurance.

“One of the selectmen had to go down to your property on Friday evening and remind you of this requirement, and the town office had to stay open late just to accomodate you,” the letter states.

Based on the fact Brooks did not receive the license until after the gathering started, selectmen said they could fine him $500 for one day.

In the letter, it said that selectmen decided not to impose the fine, but told Brooks to keep in mind that they will impose all fines he earns going forward.

Selectmen said for Brooks’ next event, they’d like to see a better plan for lighting and names and backgrounds of all the security guards. Eichorn said the code enforcement officer will then check to see those requirements are met.

“We want to see more than what you had this time, based on reports we got from people who were there,” Eichorn told Brooks.

“There’s always going to be someone with a negative opinion,” said Brooks.

“I am ultimately responsible for anything that happens there. I usually go to bed at 10, 11 at night, but I stay up because I’m making sure everything goes good and people go home safe.”

In other news, the board:

• Heard from local Boy Scout Zane Dustin asking for the town’s support with erecting “Welcome to Hebron” signs in town in order to earn his Eco-action badge. Dustin will contact the Department of Transportation about specs of the project, get permission from the landowners and a price quote on materials. He will also come up with a design for the signs, with help from local fourth, fifth and sixth graders, then report back to the town.