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 July 18, 2022 over the Zoom meeting platform, and called to order by Commissioner Sarefield at 6:01 PM. Commissioner Boscardin and Commissioner Zarrella were present. FPD Liaison Lieutenant Howe was also present. I. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETING(S) The Minutes of July 06, 2022 were approved by unanimous consent 3/0 II. NEW APPLICATIONS Solicitor Applications 1. Ragnar Koplimaa – Southwestern Advantage Mr. Koplimaa was not present at the meeting, commission continued on the next applicant. The commissioner request that he come the September 6th meeting. A motion to continue the solicitor application for Ragnar Koplimaa, Southwestern Advantage to our next meeting, was approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. 2. Ralph Brunache – Power Home Remodeling 3. Tyler Malho – Power Home Remodeling 4. James Mejia – Power Home Remodeling 5. Matthew Montbleau – Power Home Remodeling Mr. Montbleau was present at the meeting. He informed that the Commission that all four listed applicants will start the door to door solicitation at the beginning of August, working 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Commissioner Scarsdale advised they need to wear Identification and the City of Fitchburg Solicitation hours are Monday – Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, no Sundays or Holiday hours. Lieutenant Howe informed all the applicants they are responsible to notify the police department of what areas of the city they will be working each day. Motion to approve the application for solicitor licenses for Mr. Brunache, Mr. Malho, Mr. Mejia, and Mr. Montbleau, was approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Page 1 Monday through Saturday Entertainment Permit 1. Robert Talbot, Friends of Fitchburg Dogs, for a DJ on Saturday at a Dog Park Fundraiser, located at 198 Townsend Street, Coolidge Park, from 10:00AM to 2:30PM on Saturday, August 27, 2022 for 50 - 100 people. Mr. Talbot was present at the meeting. He will be having local vendors, products, food trucks, and DJ, he is applying for a one day special licenses as well. Motion to approve the application for a Monday – Saturday entertainment license for the stated dates was approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Special One Day License 2. Jeff McVoy, on behalf of the Fitchburg State University, Compass Group NA, DBA Chartwells Dining Services, for a Special One Day Wine and Malt Beverage License for a Casino Semi Formal Night, Main Gymnasium Floor, Fitchburg State University, from 7PM to 11PM on Saturday, October 22, 2022 for 500 people. Mr. McVoy was present at the meeting. He shared all three events are for homecoming weekend. Casino games at one end, dancing in the middle, bar area at other end of the gymnasium. Entrances will be manned by staff. All serves will be tipped certified. Lieutenant Howe has no concerns great working relationship with the College. Motion to approve the application for a one day special license for the stated date and time was approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. 3. Jeff McVoy, on behalf of the Fitchburg State University, Compass Group NA, DBA Chartwells Dining Services, for a Special One Day Wine and Malt Beverage License for a 50th Reunion Reception, Room S08 located on street level of the Hammond Camus Center, Fitchburg State University, from 1:30PM to 4:30PM on Saturday, October 22, 2022 for 40 people. Mr. McVoy was present at the meeting. He shared will be serving standing appetizers, beer and wine bar. Lieutenant Howe has no concerns great working relationship with the College. Motion to approve the application for a one day special license for the stated date and time was approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. 4. Jeff McVoy, on behalf of the Fitchburg State University, Compass Group NA, DBA Chartwells Dining Services, for a Special One Day Wine and Malt Beverage License for a Hall of Fame Lunch, located at the Main Lounge Hammond Campus Center, Fitchburg State University, from 12:00PM to 3:00PM on Sunday, October 23, 2022 for 80 - 100 people. Mr. McVoy was present at the meeting. He shared serving lunch buffet with a cash bar, working with University police for increased visibility. Motion to approve the application for a one day special license for the stated date and time was approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Page 2  5. Robert Talbot, Friends of Fitchburg Dogs, for a Special One Day Wine and Malt Beverage License for a Dog Park Fundraiser, located at 198 Townsend Street, Coolidge Park, from 10:00AM to 2:00PM on Saturday, August 27, 2022 for 50 - 100 people. Mr. Talbot was present at the meeting. River Styx Brewery will be providing the alcohol, checking for ID’s etc. Will be setting up minimal tables and chairs. All serves will be tipped certified. Motion to approve the application for a one day special license for the stated date and time was approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Commissioner Sarefield confirmed all three licenses be present at each event. III. PUBLIC HEARING New Restaurant General On-Premises Wine & Malt Beverage License Fitchburg Diner, LLC d/b/a Fitchburg Diner, 131 Westminster Street Mr. & Mrs. Turner were present at the meeting. He informed the commission they are serving breakfast and lunch, provide mimosas with breakfast and beer with lunch. Commissioner Sarefield asked if they had legal counsel review the application, the applicant did not. He shared the application will be forward to the ABCC for review. Commissioner Sarefield stated that license requirements from the City have been meet by the applicant. Lieutenant Howe had no concerns. Commissioner Sarefield ask if any public comment for or against, no one from the public attended the meeting. Motion to approve the application for an On-Premises Wine & Malt Beverage License was approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. IV. RECONSIDERATION Application for amendment – Change of Officers and Directors and Change of Stock Ownership Knights of Columbus, 165 Electric Ave. Applicant was not present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield informed the commission, application was returned from the ABCC investigator and details pertaining to application competition, because the application was returned the commission needs to revote on the application. A motion to approve the reconsideration for amendment application for change officers was approved by a unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Page 3 V. CORRESPONDENCE 1. Nicole B. Caprioli, Assistant Attorney General for the Municipal Law Unit, regarding OUI Last Drink Data from January 2021 to September 2021. 2. ABCC Actions. Commissioners discussed the correspondence and the reports received quarterly from the State. Lieutenant Howe shared the city as well as the Sate have limited manpower, the State is working on setting up more Sobriety check points. Fitchburg currently in in great shape. Commissioner Sarefield thought the ABCC actions are interesting and enjoyed being able to see other communities for comparable data. VI. NEW BUSINESS Lieutenant Howe asked if the commission had heard from Kingston Island Cuisine? Commissioner Boscardin mentioned he is trying to reopen his restaurant and his landlord will not return his calls. Mary Jo Bohart, Director of Economic Development, joined the meeting late, she asked if the Fitchburg Diner had requested an application to serve dinner, the commission stated no. Ms. Bohart also received a call from a resident regarding three package stores that refused to accept bottle returns. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Act, specifies that a retailer is only required to accept 120 containers per day from any one person, but may choose to accept more. Ms. Bohart will refer the resident to the Department of Environmental Protection. The meeting adjourned at 7:12 PM Respectfully submitted, Joanna Bilotta, City Clerk Approved: __________________ ___________________ _________________ Daniel Sarefield Richard Boscardin John Zarrella Page 4