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 regular meeting of the Board of License Commissioners was held on June 21, 2021 over the Zoom meeting platform, and called to order by Commissioner Boscardin at 6:00 PM. Commissioner Zarrella was also present at the meeting. FPD Liaison Lieutenant Howe was present. I. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETING(S) The minutes of June 7, 2021 were approved by unanimous consent 2/0. II. APPLICATIONS SOLICITOR: Christopher Shivo, JSP Tree and Landscape, 601 Fitchburg State Road Mr. Shivo was not present for the meeting. Motion to give leave to withdraw was approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0. Zen Den Studios and Upper Common, 923 Main Street, for live amplified music, DJ, on Sunday, August 21, 2021 from 1PM-5PM. Mr. Merrick Henry, CEO of Zen Den Studios was present at the meeting. Mr. Henry noted that the date should be amended to August 15th. Motion to approve the amended application was approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0. Ipanema Productions, Inc., Fitchburg Municipal Airport, 567 Crawford Street, for Sunday Entertainment Permit, for live acoustic music, live amplified music, DJ, rodeo, on Sunday, August 15, 2021 (Rain date August 22, 2021) and September 26, 2021. Ipanema Productions, Inc., Fitchburg Municipal Airport, 567 Crawford Street, for Special One Day All Alcoholic Beverages license from 11AM to 9PM, on Sunday August 15, 2021 (Rain date August 22, 2021) for 4,000 people and Sunday, September 26, 2021 for 3,000 people at Fitchburg Municipal Airport, nearby the stage. Mr. Carlos Silva, President of Ipanema Productions, was present at the meeting. He explained that the rodeo and even would take place as in prior years, with the cooperation of the local Police Department. Lieutenant Howe noted that a command post would be set up to deal with the expected large crowd capacity and they would have Fire Department/EMS support, as well. Page 1  Commissioner Sarefield reminded Mr. Silva that as the entertainment permit was until 9PM, last call should be at 8:30 PM and that the music should also be turned off at that time, as well. Mr. Silva stated that this would be taken care of. Motion to approve the application for an entertainment license for the stated dates was approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Motion to approve the application for one day special one-day all alcohol license for the stated dates was approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. St. Bernard’s School, 254 Summer Street, for Monday through Saturday Entertainment Permit for Carnival with amusement rides, games, food, June 24 and 25, 6PM – 10:30 PM; June 26, 1PM-10:30 PM. St. Bernard’s School, 254 Summer Street, for Sunday Entertainment Permit for Carnival with amusement rides, games, food, June 27, 1PM-10:30 PM. Mr. John Flynn, owner of Fiesta Shows, was present at the meeting. Mr. Flynn stated that the carnival would be run as had been in prior years, with additional gates to control crowd capacity and help with estimation of attendance numbers. Motion to approve the application for an entertainment license for the stated dates was approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. III. CORRESPONDENCE Email regarding Extension of Premises The Clerk informed the Commission that the correspondent was unable to attend the meeting due to a family matter. A discussion regarding a possible letter to be sent to pouring establishments, letting them know of the possibility of applying for an Alternation of Premises. It was agreed by the Commission that, if possible, applicants would apply once so that any portion of a property that a licensee planned to use would be part of the permanent license, including dates of use, so that it could be renewed from year to year. The Clerk will draft a letter to provide this information to licensees, and forwarded to the Commission for their approval. IV. NEW BUSINESS – Commissioner Boscardin noted that at the recent ABCC meeting, they had mentioned that their Office would be starting spot inspections of licensees to ensure adherence to ID checks. He questioned whether this would be done by the Commission, as well. Commissioner Sarefield noted that he would investigate whether any grant funds were available to cover the costs to do so. The Clerk noted that one licensee had asked whether fees for a license could be waived as they had paid in the prior year, but were unable to use the license due to the covid regulations promulgated by the State. Page 2 It was agreed by the Commission that research should be done to provide any and all assistance to licensees, wherever possible, as long as the impact would not be borne by the City. The Clerk will reach out to the Auditor’s Office and other Departments for more clarification and report back to the Commission. Regarding returning to “in person” meetings, an alternate meeting room location will be considered. The meeting adjourned at 7:16 PM Respectfully submitted, Mary de Alderete, City Clerk Approved: ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ Daniel Sarefield, Chair Richard Boscardin John Zarrella Page 3