License Commission

BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS City Hall, 718 Main Street FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Fitchburg MA 01420 Jul 11 2023 10:48 am (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 Wednesday, June 21, 2023 and called to order by Commissioner Sarefield at 6:00 PM. Commissioner Boscardin was present. Commissioner Zarrella was absent. FPD Liaison Lieutenant Jeffrey Howe, City Clerk Joanna Bilotta, Assistant City Clerk Elizabeth McNiff were present. I. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETING(S) The minutes of June 5, 2023 were approved by roll call vote 2/0. II. NEW APPLICATIONS Please note that the Commission may enter into Executive Session pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, sec. 21(a) (5) (Discussion of CORI results), if required during this portion of the Agenda, and will return to regular session upon completion. Special One Day All Alcoholic Beverages Rebecca Wright, Fitchburg Art Museum, 185 Elm Street, Exhibition Opening Celebration, Friday, June 23, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM for approximately 200 people Ms. Wright was present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed application and verified that all servers are TIPS Certified and confirmed that they were a non-profit organization. An amendment was made to change the time to 8:30 PM. Amended application approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0. Late Closing Permit (2AM) Majors Cafe, Ellen Griffin, 149 Lunenburg Street (Wednesday through Saturday) Ms. Griffin was present at the meeting, Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the days for late closing. Amended the days for Tuesday-Saturday on a six month trial basis. Amended application approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0. Page 1  Application for New License on Premise Restaurant Wine & Malt with Cordial Liquors Beverage Licensed Reconsideration: IQarus LLC, DBA Rise & Grind Café, Mark McCaffrey, 805 Main Street Mr. McCaffrey was present at the meeting Commissioner Sarefield verified that he made the changes that were necessary. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0 III. PUBLIC HEARING Application for New License on Premise Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages Licensed Mamajuana RD Latin Restaurant Inc., Victor Vicioso-Frias, 423 Main Street Commissioner Sarefield open the public hearing at 6:23 PM Mr. Vicioso-Frias was present at the meeting and shared his plans for the business with the commission. Commissioner Sarefield pointed out some areas on the application that needed signatures. Mary Jo Bohart, spoke on behalf and support of Mr. Vicioso-Frias, they have been working closely together, and what a great asset this restaurant will be for the city of Fitchburg. There was no public comment opposed. Public Hearing was closed at 6:24 PM Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0 IV. SUMMONS HEARING Joan Gomez, Munchies To Go LLC, DBA Melao by Munchies, 27 Airport Road Caroline Miranda-Gomez, Munchies To Go LLC, DBA Melao by Munchies, 27 Airport Road Officer Sean McCue provided a detail report of alleged violations of the late night closing and entertainment permit. Ms. Gomez and Ms. Miranda-Gomez were present at the meeting, and stated that they were unaware of some of these allegations and were going to talk to their staff. Commissioner Sarefield and Commissioner Boscardin confirmed that Ms. Gomez and Ms. Miranda-Gomez understood that the 1AM late night closing means closing the business by 1AM. The commission also reviewed their entertainment permit, which will be temporally suspended until they meet the requirements provided from the building department. Amended approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0. Page 2  John Norcross, 222 Lunenburg Street, regarding Fitchburg Police Incident Report # 23-18812-OF Kenneth Bergeron, 222 Lunenburg Street, regarding Fitchburg Police Incident Report # 23-18812-OF Roll Call Vote to enter into Executive Session at 6:48 PM, approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0 Commission return to regular session at 6:50 PM No action was taken by the commission. V. CORRESPONDENCE Email Notification from a Ms. Forcier pertaining to Taxi Companies charging customers an additional charge for bags/baskets. Mr. Bergeron shared that is this a service fee that they have had for the past 35 years. VI. NEW BUSINESS NEXT REGULAR MEETING Monday, July 10, 2023 The meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM Respectfully submitted, Joanna Bilotta, City Clerk Approved: __________________ ___________________ ___________________ Daniel Sarefield Richard Boscardin John Zarrella Page 3