LYNN – After months of testimony from residents and bar owners in the city pleading to retain a 2 a.m. bar closing, the Licensing Board unanimously voted on Wednesday to rollback bar hours from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m. effective Jan. 2, 2008.After briefly reviewing added testimony from the third and final public hearing at City Hall, Commissioner of the Licensing Board Dick Coppinger said the Board decided it was best to alter the hours across the board.”We understand that you (licensees) have a very difficult job, and we’re not insensitive to the economic aspects,” he said. “We tried to address the problem on an individual basis, but we’ve decided that we need to go forward consistently.”Much to the chagrin of those in the audience, Licensing Board Commissioner John Pace said the sole purpose of the rollback is to institute public safety for not only residents, but for visitors of the city as well.”You talk about money and that you’re going to lose a lot in that one hour, but I’m sorry, that one hour just doesn’t make any sense to me,” he said. “The city of Lynn is looking to help you people, not punish you. You can’t say that we have hurt you.”Attorney Frederick Riley, who is representing the proprietors, pleaded with the Board to allow a grace period of six months for attorneys representing the licensees to work with the board, Lynn Police, city solicitor, Mayor Edward J. Clancy, Jr., and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC).Despite the request, Coppinger said it was simply time to move forward and take proper action.”It’s just not something we are willing to entertain,” he said. “While we wish to work with the ABCC, I think we have good resources here.”After randomly reviewing 100 of the 351 police reports from 2005, 2006 and 2007 pertaining to incidents at bars in the city, Riley said 56 percent of the calls came to police before 1 a.m.In addition 35 percent of the calls were made between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., with 3 percent after 2 a.m.”I found that 51 percent of the calls were generated out of 8 licensees in the city, that means that 10 percent of the licensees perpetuated the need for the police department,” he said. “So, it really doesn’t matter if the closing time is 2 a.m., 1 a.m. or midnight?it’s not going to change anything unless we identify what is causing the problems.”Local bartender and Winchester resident Mark Barry said a rollback isn’t necessary for the city, but rather, mutually amicable solutions to end the cycle of incidents.”It seems that the idea to roll back bar hours has been clouded by one man’s view (Mayor Edward J. Clancy, Jr.) of dominance, power and dictatorship,” he said. “Instead, I ask the board to work with residents and establishments to find out the best interest of everyone, not just the best interest of one man.”Similar testimony was delivered during the first and second public hearings in October and November.In October, a Salem Superior Court Judge ordered the Licensing Board to hold the second hearing after the judge determined that the Board had violated the state open meeting law when it held a closed door executive session to discuss rolling back bar hours from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m.Coppinger said the Board made the mistake of not taking a roll call to adjourn during the last hearing on Nov. 28.Previously recorded votes to institute the rollback were rescinded at that time.