License Commission

City of Chicopee, Massachusetts License Commission Joseph Martin, Chairman City Hall Annex – 274 Front Street – Chicopee, MA 01013 Donald Goulette Tel: (413) 594-1530 Fax: (413) 594-1531 Jeanette Jez Joseph Pasternak George Tarnowski Minutes for June 17, 2021 meeting held in City Council Chambers @ 6:00 PM In attendance: Chairman Martin, Commissioners Goulette, Jez, Pasternak and Tarnowski Public Input- None at this time Minutes for May are presented to the Board. Motion was made and seconded to approve. Motion approved 5-0. Hearing for View Street Tavern- In attendance: Ed Nunes and Atty. Shawn Allyn. Mr. Nunes explained that they have had problems with the hood and are waiting for a circuit board that operates it to be shipped. It operates the fire suppression system and there is still work to be done once the circuit board, which is a computer modulator, arrives. They can’t pass inspections without this. They have had the electrician in there, dropped the ceiling, etc. Opening date is unknown due to these outstanding issues. Mr. Nunes will return once they get these things resolved and they have department approvals. Hearing for Court Yard Cafe (Hazel’s Kitchen) – In attendance: Junior Williams. Mr. Williams, owner, said all he needs to do is change the name but he doesn’t understand why he needs to complete a whole application. He indicated that business has been negatively impacted by COVID. He wants to move the alcohol license from Court Yard Café (19 Grove St.) to Hazel’s Kitchen (80 Main St). Chairman Martin said it was a legal process to transfer the license. Commissioner Jez encouraged him to contact Laurie if he needs help, but he does need to get it done. Mr. Williams agreed to complete the required paperwork and submit it to Laurie. Hearing for Kennedy Post 275 – In attendance: Chris Dupont, Chairman of the Building Association. Mr. Dupont provided an update. They had a financial audit conducted in January, 2021. Commission Goulette asked if the Rider’s Club was buying the building. Mr. Dupont said the Rider’s Club can’t own the building and that there are a lot of rumors out there. Mr. Dupont said the results of the audit have been submitted to membership and they needed to know if the Post was financially solvent to decide whether they are staying or selling the building. Mr. Dupont said that at least they have stopped the bleeding. Membership is meeting next week and then he will call Laurie. Louie Brault name is on the license and he is still there. The bar is only open for legion members right now. Commissioner Jez made a motion to have Mr. Dupont return to next month’s meeting to provide an update. Commissioner Goulette seconds. Motion approved 5 - 0. Hearing for Cavalier – In attendance: Jeff Lucas, Helder Lucas and Joe Lucas. Mr. J. Lucas said that they have been closed for the past year due to COVID. They have a few events scheduled later this month and next. Chairman Martin stated that he understands they made a payment on outstanding taxes and asked if they have met with the Tax Department (Collectors) on a plan to pay the rest. Jeff said his father owns the land and that he paid some of the taxes. Commissioner Goulette pointed out that the taxes are owed for 2019, 2020, and 2021 and wanted to know what the plan is. Mr. Joe Lucas said he met with the Tax Department, paid $9,000 two weeks ago and agreed to a plan on getting the remaining taxes paid. Chairman Martin asked what the plan was. Mr. Joe Lucas said that they agreed that he would pay $2,000 a month. Mr. Helder Lucas said that they rent space to Dance Dynamics on the second floor and that they have received a down payment for them to buy the building. They also want to hold the banquet events this month and next in order to help pay the taxes. Commissioner Tarnowski stated that they owe $46,000 going back to 2019 and 2020 and there has to be a plan to get that paid. Chairman Martin requested that they get something in writing from the Tax Department reflecting the payment plan they have committed to and submit to Laurie as soon as possible and then Laurie can schedule a special meeting if needed. Chairman Martin then indicated that the commission can approve the license today contingent on the plan’s submission to Laurie and that the plan is acceptable. Commissioner Jez made a motion to approve the license contingent on the submission of an acceptable payment plan on the payment of taxes for 2019, 2020, and 2021 to Laurie as soon as possible. Commissioner Pasternak seconds. Motion approved 5-0. Application for an Automatic Amusement (Tic Tac Fruit) for the Dugout Cafe, 134 Meadow St. - Commissioner Jez made a motion to approve and Commissioner Goulette seconds. Motion approved 5-0. Application for a Common Victualer for Stop & Chill, 300 East Main St. new owner. Commissioner Goulette made a motion to approve and Commissioner Pasternak second. Motion approved 5-0. Application renewal for a Mobile Common Victualer for JND Amusements. Commissioner Tarnowski made a motion to approve and Commissioner Goulette second. Motion approved 5-0. Application renewal for a Mobile Common Victualer for Poppies Concessions. Commission Goulette made a motion to approve and Commission Pasternak second. Motion approved 5-0. Application for a renewal Mobile Common Victualer for SNKC. Commissioner Tarnowski made a motion to approve and Commissioner Goulette. Motion approved 5- 0. Filing fees - none. Police reports - none. Correspondence - none. Upcoming topics for the next meeting - as indicated in notes above.