License Commission

BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS City Hall, 718 Main Street Fitchburg MA 01420 FITCHBURG CITY CLERK (978) 829-1820 Oct 19 2021 9:39 am Daniel Sarefield, Chairman Richard Boscardin John Zarrella MINUTES OF MEETING A regular meeting of the Board of License Commissioners was held on October 4, 2021 over the Zoom meeting platform, and called to order by Commissioner Sarefield at 6:01 PM. Commissioners Boscardin and Zarrella were also present at the meeting. FPD Liaison Lieutenant Howe was present. Assistant City Clerk Amanda Alford was present. I. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETING(S) The minutes of September 22, 2021 were approved by unanimous consent 3/0. II. APPLICATIONS: Taxi Driver Applications - NEW Ronald Crocker – Twin City Kab (Continued from September 23, 2021) The Clerk noted that the Applicant had requested to withdraw the application and would reapply at a later date. Leave to withdraw granted by unanimous consent 3/0. Monday through Saturday Entertainment Permit Nathalie Castro Da Rosa, Saima Park, 67 Scott Road, from time 6PM-12AM for live acoustic music, live amplified music, DJ, and dancing on Friday, November 5, 2021. Ms. Castro Da Rosa was present at the meeting. Ms. Castro Da Rosa noted that they were bringing in a band from Uruguay and also would have a DJ for the event. Lieutenant Howe reminded the Applicant that a permit for Public Assembly would be required. The Clerk followed up by mentioning that a Raffle Permit was also needed if they intended to hold one. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Special One Day License Nathalie Castro Da Rosa, for Music Show event Friday, November 5, 2021 from 6PM to 12AM, Saima Park, 67 Scott Road Ms. Castro Da Rosa stated that they had hired security for the event. Lieutenant Howe noted that the Police Department could cover and that a private security team was not required. The Applicant stated that everyone who worked the event would be TIPs certified and it would be 21 plus only. Commissioner Boscardin noted that the event was for wine and malt. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Page 1  Change of Manager of Record Blazin Wings, Inc., dba Buffalo Wild Wings, 150 Whalon Street. Change Manager Timothy Pryer to David E. Rivers. Mr. Rivers was present at the meeting. Mr. Rivers noted that he had been in the restaurant industry for many years and had been a manager previously in another establishment. Commissioner Sarefield asked whether Mr. Rivers had been a “Manager of Record” prior to this and Mr. Rivers stated he had not, but felt he was ready for the responsibility. Commissioner Sarefield reminded the applicant that if there was any issue, he should contact the Police Department. Lieutenant Howe asked that if Mr. Rivers were not working on a particular day, that he make sure that other staff knew how to work the video system as this was a way to know that if there were any issues, they would have the recording in order to document it. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. III. SUMMONS HEARING GMG Variety, LLC dba M&M Variety Store For complaint regarding license and possible open container violations Mr. Saba, owner of the establishment, was present at the meeting. Mr. Saba stated that he understood the seriousness of the issues, and had been working with the Police Department to ensure that many of the problems would be mitigated. Lieutenant Howe noted that there had been an investigation into the accusations, but that many of the problems were occurring on property that did not belong to the applicant. He also noted that the recent construction had seemed to increase the issues, and that now that it was complete, there was less of an issue. Lieutenant Howe stated that any alcoholic beverages sold by the Applicant were within the confines of the Wine and Malt beverage license. Commissioner Sarefield asked the Applicant to describe some of the steps he was taking. Mr. Saba noted that he had added lighting and that he had also had some “No Loitering” signs made up, and that he would put them out once they had been laminated. Lieutenant Howe also stated that the Police Department would take steps to be more vigilant in asking people who were congregating across the street or in other areas to move from the location. Commissioner Boscardin noted that the Commission was looking for compliance – not to hurt their business, and that adding parking lot lights, in his experience, would go a long way towards culling behavior on the property. Mr. Saba stated that he will do the very best he can to ensure that there are no issues and stated that the Commissioners were welcome to contact him if they knew of any issues. Lieutenant Howe also stated that Mr. Saba should address the two cars without plates in the parking lot as situations like this could give the property the appearance of not being taken care. Mr. Saba agreed to do so. After consultation with the Applicant, Commissioners voted to take No Action by unanimous consent 3/0. IV. CORRESPONDENCE Email from Lieutenant Howe (Continued from September 23, 2021) Lieutenant Howe spoke to the Commission regarding recent events. Notes will be held on file for future meetings. ABCC Actions Placed on file at the City Clerk’s Office V. NEW BUSINESS – Lieutenant Howe noted that at a recent event held at the Airport, there were numerous complaints in Fitchburg and Leominster regarding the noise levels. There had been trucks with large speakers playing music at the event and this, and not the event itself, had caused the issue. At the same event, Page 2 alcohol had been permitted to be purchased at a beer garden and then the customers could walk with it throughout. This may have led to some underage drinking. There was a future event planned for October 10th, and both of these issues would be addressed by not allowing vehicles with large speakers, and confining the alcohol sold at the beer garden to a roped off area for 21 plus only. More Police would be present at the event, as well, helping to control the crowd. Lieutenant Howe stated that an altercation had occurred in the Main Street parking garage, with about 100 people involved, and necessitating mutual aid. It appears the customers may have come from Tryst immediately beforehand. Lastly, Lieutenant Howe noted that there had been two incidents in the past month outside of Majors. In both incidents, the Police had been called by the establishment, as they were supposed to. Commissioner Boscardin brought up the issue of badges for City Hall. The Clerk explained that the current badges worked during regular hours, but that once a space had been outfitted for their future meetings, IT would be able to code the badge for the appropriate evening hours. The Clerk noted that new business cards would also be forthcoming in the near future, as well as a badge for Commissioner Zarrella. The meeting adjourned at 7:13 PM Respectfully submitted, Mary de Alderete, City Clerk Approved: ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ Daniel Sarefield Richard Boscardin John Zarrella Page 3