License Commission

BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS City Hall, 718 Main Street FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Fitchburg MA 01420 Oct 03 2023 8:33 am (978) 829-1820 Daniel Sarefield, Chairman Richard Boscardin Glenn Fossa MINUTES OF MEETING A special meeting of the Board of License Commissioners was held on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 and called to order by Commissioner Sarefield at 6:00 PM. Commissioner Boscardin and Fossa were present. FPD Liaison Lieutenant Jeffrey Howe and City Clerk Joanna Bilotta and Assistant City Clerk Elizabeth McNiff were present. I. SUMMONS HEARING Mill City Pub, 19 Airport Road, Fitchburg Lieutenant Howe started the meeting telling the commissioners there would be two different cases they would be reviewing and that the police are still investigating. He relayed the message from Chief Martineau that he had recommended the commission adhere to a closing time of 11:00 PM. Officer Krishkulka and Sergeant Bellafatto were present at the meeting and provided a detail report of two separate alleged violations involving firearms and altercations. Officer Krishkulka spoke first regarding an incident on Saturday, September 16, 2023. Video footage was provided to the commission that was viewed. At closing time a patron got into a physical altercation with another patron and pulled a firearm from his pocket. Mr. Shane Vail, a security guard of Mill City Pub also pulled out a firearm after seeing this. Sergeant Bellofulto spoke next on an incident that took place October 8, 2022. Video footage was provided to the commission that was viewed. An employee in a Mill City Pub sweatshirt pulled a firearm while they were escorting two patrons out of the establishment. The police were not called until twenty- five minutes after the altercation had occurred. Mrs. Lagoy, Mr. Lagoy, and Mr. Champagne were all present at the meeting. They explained what had transpired from their point of view and also stated that they that they were unaware of any employees being armed while working. They are implementing new rules at the establishment to make sure this is to not happen again. Mr. Champagne stated prior to these events they had reached out to Fitchburg Police seeking guidance on how to make sure how altercations like this can be handled best. They also were concerned with closing earlier than 1:00 AM the detrimental effects it would have on the business. Commissioner Fossa expressed some concerns he had with the altercations taking place late night at the establishment. Commissioner Sarefield stated that two violations had occurred. Employee/security carrying firearms while working and police not informed right away of an altercation. The commission made a motion to roll back the late night closing to 12:30 AM for 60 day period review, suspension of Page 1 license for 3 days and four days held in abeyance for one year. Mill City Pub would be closed Saturday, September 30, 2023, Sunday, October 1, 2023 and Monday, October 2, 2023. 3 day suspension with 4 days held in abeyance and 12:30 AM closing approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. II. CORRESPONDENCE There was no correspondence. III. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. . NEXT REGULAR MEETING Monday, October 2, 2023 The meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM Respectfully submitted, Joanna Bilotta, City Clerk Approved: __________________ ___________________ ___________________ Daniel Sarefield Richard Boscardin Glenn Fossa Page 2