License Commission

BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS City Hall, 718 Main Street Fitchburg MA 01420 FITCHBURG CITY CLERK (978) 829-1820 Dec 07 2021 9:26 am Daniel Sarefield, Chairman Richard Boscardin John Zarrella MINUTES OF MEETING A regular meeting of the Board of License Commissioners was held on November 15, 2021 over the Zoom meeting platform, and called to order by Commissioner Sarefield at 6:02 PM. Commissioner Boscardin was also present at the meeting. Commissioner Zarrella was absent. FPD Liaison Lieutenant Howe and Provisional City Clerk Amanda Alford were present. I. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETING(S) The minutes of November 3, 2021 were approved by unanimous consent 2/0. II. APPLICATIONS: Taxi Driver Application - NEW David Bruce Fortier – City Cab, Co. (continued from November 3, 2021) As the applicant was not present, a motion to give the application leave to withdraw was approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0 Change of Manager Facility Management Corp., 1000 John Fitch Highway, from Trevor P. Josti to G. Jeffery Thomas. Mr. Jeff Thomas was present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield asked Mr. Thomas about his prior experience. Mr. Thomas stated that he has been the assistant manager at the Civic Center for three years now and also worked at a liquor store in Leominster for many years. He explained that it made sense for him to step into this role now that the current manager has left, His current work hours which include five to six nights a week fall during the times when the license is being used for the men’s leagues. He noted although they haven’t had any incidents, the Fitchburg State Police are on call to help if the need arises. Commissioner Sarefield asked if he was TIPS certified to which Mr. Thomas replied he was but that he believed his certification was due at the end of the year at which time he planned to renew the certification to keep in compliance. Commissioner Sarefield asked Lt. Howe if he had any concerns to which Lt. Howe replied he had none. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0 Page 1 2022 Sunday Entertainment Permit 1. Knights of Columbus, 165 Electric Ave, for live acoustic music, live amplified music, DJ, dancing. 2. Paddock Lounge, 1426 Water Street, for live acoustic music, live amplified music, DJ, dancing. Applications approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0 2022 Monday through Saturday Entertainment Permit 1. The Boulder, 880 Main Street, for live acoustic music, live amplified music. Commissioner Sarefield noted that the approval of the application from the Fire Dept. included a safety notice that the establishment needed to install a fire alarm. Application conditionally approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0 2. Falcon Hub, 160 Pearl Street, for live acoustic music, live amplified music, DJ, dancing. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0 3. Knights of Columbus, 165 Electric Ave, for live acoustic music, live amplified music, DJ, dancing Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0 4. Paddock Lounge, 1426 Water Street, for live acoustic music, live amplified music, DJ, dancing. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0 5. Partners Pub, 970 South Street for live acoustic music, live amplified music, DJ, trivia, karaoke. Commissioner Sarefield noted that the approval of the application from the Fire Dept. included a safety notice that the establishment needed to install a fire alarm. Application conditionally approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0 2021 - 2022 Late Closing Permit - NEW (2AM) Tacos Tequila’s, 310 Main Street (Sunday through Saturday) Mr. Elmer Melendez was present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield asked Mr. Melendez about his plan to utilize the late closing permit. Mr. Melendez explained that at the current time he does not plan to alter his hours of closing, rather, he wanted the flexibility to allow extra time for his patrons to exit his establishment. He noted that by applying for this permit, this would ensure he was compliant. Lt. Howe stated he had no concerns with the application. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0 2022 Renewals for Late Closing Permits (1AM) Falcon Hub, 160 Pearl Street (Monday through Saturday) Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0 Page 2  2022 Renewals for Late Closing Permits (2AM) 1. The Boulder, 880 Main Street, (Sunday through Saturday) 2. Dario’s Diner Inc., 187 River Street (Sunday through Saturday) 3. Knights of Columbus, 165 Electric Avenue (Friday and Saturday) 4. Major’s Café, 149 Lunenburg Street (Sunday through Saturday) 5. Paddock Lounge, 1426 Water Street (Sunday through Saturday) 6. Partners Pub, 970 South Street (Sunday through Saturday) 7. River Styx Brewing, 166 Boulder Drive (Sunday through Saturday) Applications approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0 2022 License Renewals (Pouring) Tacos Tequila’s Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0 2022 License Renewals (Package) 1. Bill Bailey Wachusett 2. Peerless E C, Inc. 3. Twin City Market 4. Wine World 5. Wyman’s Liquors Applications approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0 III. NEW BUSINESS Lt. Howe recapped two police reports that were discussed in previous meetings involving Major’s Café. He noted at the time there was not sufficient evidence to determine whether there was any violation of the license holder. He stated one of the incidents took place on October 3rd at 3:00 p.m. that involved a dispute with the owner. The other incident took place on October 19th at 10:15 p.m. that involved an altercation between two patrons inside the establishment. The police report from the incident on October 19th indicated the patrons were heavily intoxicated but did not indicate whether they had been overserved at this establishment. Lt. Howe went on to discuss two additional incidents that have taken place at Major’s Café since their last meeting. One incident took place on November 13th at 12:40 a.m. an involved an altercation between two parties. A patron inside called the police. The report from the responding officer indicated that one of the parties appeared to be unsteady on her feet and smelled of alcohol. The next incident took place on November 14th at 1:18 a.m. and involved a similar situation as the night before. Two patrons inside began arguing but left without incident. He noted that he was concerned about the number of incidents in a short period of time and that he wasn’t sure if it was a lack of oversight on who they were letting in or whether overserving was involved. Page 3 Commissioner Sarefield asked if the police reports indicated over service. Lt Howe responded that they did not but did indicate the patrons were heavily intoxicated. Discussion about whether to bring the licensee holder in front of the Commission took place. Lt. Howe noted that he and Commissioner Boscardin were going to be doing their inspections next week and asked if it made sense to have a conversation at that time and report back to the Commissioners. Commissioner Boscardin noted that he was concerned about the trend that is taking place and he agreed that having a conversation with them at the time of inspection seemed appropriate. No further action was taken at this time. The meeting adjourned at 6:54 PM Respectfully submitted, Amanda k. Alford, Provisional City Clerk Approved: __________________ ___________________ ___________________ Daniel Sarefield Richard Boscardin John Zarrella Page 4