License Commission

BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS City Hall, 718 Main Street Fitchburg MA 01420 (978) 829-1820 Daniel Sarefield, Chairman Richard Boscardin John Zarrella MINUTES OF MEETING A special meeting of the Board of License Commissioners was held on June 23, 2020 over the Zoom meeting platform, and called to order by Commissioner Sarefield at 2:30 P.M. Commissioners Boscardin and Zarrella were also present. FPD Liaison Lieutenant Howe was present. Mary Jo Bohart, Director of Economic Development also joined the meeting while it was in progress. I. DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL PROCESS FOR ANY TEMPORARY ALTERATION OF PREMISES LICENSES, AS REQUIRED. Commissioner Sarefield called the meeting to order and noted that the application for Legends was ready for approval. Motion to approve the Special Outdoor Seating License was approved by Roll Call Vote 3.0. Commissioner Sarefield then welcomed Jackie Cullen, owner of the River Styx Brewery to discuss live music being performed at her location. Ms. Cullen noted that they had opened an old patio space and kept the area free of customers. She mentioned that she had received approval from Steve Curry, Director, from the Health Department. Commissioner Sarefield inquired whether the music had used amplification. Ms. Cullen said that the musicians had brought their own equipment. Commissioner Sarefield noted that Section 10.2 of the License Commission Regulations stated the following: 10.2 There will be no amplified music outdoors and no speakers from amplified music inside will be placed outdoors except with special permission from the Board on individual days. Ms. Cullen stated that the business had always had a speaker outside. The Commissioners agreed to discuss giving approval for amplified music at the location. Commissioner Sarefield reminded Ms. Cullen that all amplified music must be turned off one-half hour before closing. A motion for an outdoor entertainment permit for the following days and times: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 5 to 10:30 PM; Saturday Noon to 10:30 PM, and Sunday Noon to 4:30 PM was approved by Roll Call Vote 3.0. Page 1  Ms. Bohart said that she was working with the Health Department to get better clarification on the next portion of the phased openings so that restaurants would have some guidance regarding inside seating. She also noted that Community Development was working with the Downtown Manager to develop a guide for consumers to give details about which businesses were open, and how they were handling social distancing on an individual basis. Ms. Bohart inquired whether a Phase 3 BYOB business would be permitted to have outdoor seating. Lieutenant Howe responded that this would be a violation of both local and State regulations. Commissioner Sarefield noted that this might be a reason to think of bringing the BYOB discussion back. Ms. Bohart stated that she thought that a few businesses may decide to keep outdoor seating in the future as there were options being used in other communities such as keeping indoor seating, in the air conditioning, for seniors. Commissioner Sarefield reminded Ms. Bohart that the current relief found within the Outdoor Seating Licenses was not meant to continue after November 1st, but that the Commission would like to see more outdoor seating and would certainly be willing to speak to businesses about it in the future. With no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 3:18 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Mary de Alderete, City Clerk Approved: ___________________ ___________________ _________________ Daniel Sarefield, Chair Richard Boscardin John Zarrella Page 2