License Commission

BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS City Hall, 718 Main Street Fitchburg MA 01420 FITCHBURG CITY CLERK (978) 829-1820 Dec 21 2023 10:57 am Daniel Sarefield, Chairman Richard Boscardin Glenn Fossa MINUTES OF MEETING A regular meeting of the Board of License Commissioners was held on Monday, December 4, 2023 in person and via zoom and called to order by Commissioner Sarefield at 6:03 PM. Commissioner Fossa was present, Commissioner Boscardin was absent. FPD Liaison Lieutenant Jeffrey Howe and City Clerk Joanna Bilotta and Assistant City Clerk Elizabeth McNiff were present. I. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETING(S) The minutes of November 6, 2023 meeting 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. Solicitor Applications Earl McClellan Wells – Excess Wireless Mr. McClellan was not present at the meeting. The commission motions to suspend the requested application. Application held approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0. Taxi Driver Permit Luis M. Figueroa- City Cab, Inc. Mr. Figueroa was present at the meeting, Commissioner Sarefield reviewed his driver record and asked if he has had any prior taxi driver experience. Commissioner Fossa disclosed that while he has a relationship with the corporation but has no financial impact at stake. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0. Page 1 Monday – Saturday Entertainment Permit Deb Hinkle, Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main Street, for amplified speaking, Tuesday, December 12, 2023 from 3:00 to 4:00 PM for approximately 100 people. Ms. Hinkle was not present at the meeting. City Clerk Joanna Bilotta informed the commission that this event is going to be rescheduled. No action taken on the application. Sunday Entertainment Permit Shannon Keenan, Log Cabin, Manager, 135 Westminster Street, for live amplified music, Sunday, December 31, 2023 from 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM, number of people not specified. Ms. Keenan was not present at the meeting, Commissioner Sarefield reviewed application with the commission and Lt. Howe. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0. Late Closing NEW: Dario’s on Main, 655 Main Street. Monday – Saturday for 2:00AM Mr. Melendez was present on zoom. Explained to the commission that he does not intend to stay open until 2:00 AM every day, just to have it in case they have customers that want to stay longer after eating dinner. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0. Major’s Café, 149 Lunenburg Street. Monday – Saturday for 2:00AM Ms. Griffin was present at the meeting. She informed the commission that her past violations from the commission are holding her business and late close back. She is losing customers and money due to the earlier closing time. Commissioner Sarefield expressed hopes in moving forward and asked to please share with the commission any changes added to Ms. Griffin’s closing procedures, the Commission will reconsider the 2:00 AM late close time after a six (6) month in-person review. Ms. Griffin is to appear to review her Late Close application at the Monday, June 3, 2024 License Commission meeting. Late Close Application to remain in effective at 1:00 AM with a six month in person review. Approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0. Mama Juana Restaurant, 423 Main Street. Sunday – Saturday for 2:00AM Mr. Vicioso and Mr. Berthet were present at the meeting. Expressed interest to be able to keep the current customers through 2:00 AM and have the ability to stay open longer to accommodate later parties. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0. Page 2 III. APPLICATIONS 2024 Renewals for Late Closing Permits (12AM) The following License Renewals Late Closing Permits (12AM) were approved by roll call vote 2/0. 1. 99 Restaurant, 275 Summer Street (Friday, Saturday) 2. POS Food Services, LLC, 200 Game on Way (Sunday-Saturday) 2024 Renewals for Late Closing Permits (1AM) The following License Renewals Late Closing Permits (1AM) were approved by roll call vote 2/0. 1. Eastwood Club, 389 Townsend Street (Sunday – Saturday) 2. Falcon Hub, 160 Pearl Street (Monday - Saturday) 3. The Fay Club, 658 Main Street (Monday – Saturday) 4. Knights of Columbus, 165 Electric Ave. (Friday, Saturday) 5. Legends Bar & Grill, 68 Airport Road (Tuesday – Sunday) 6. Major’s Café, 149 Lunenburg Street (Sunday - Saturday) 7. Meleo by Munchies, 27 Airport Road (Sunday – Saturday) 8. Oak Hill Country Club, 840 Oak Hill Road (Sunday - Saturday) 9. Singapore Restaurant, 170 Whalon Street (Sunday – Saturday) 2024 Renewals for Late Closing Permits (2AM) The following License Renewals Late Closing Permits (2AM) numbers 1- 10 and numbers 12-16 were approved by roll call vote 2/0. Mill City Pub was held to the December 18, 2023 License Commission meeting. 1. The Boulder, 880 Main Street (Sunday – Saturday) 2. Buffalo Wild Wings, 150 Whalon Street ( Sunday – Saturday) 3. The Cellar, 14 Mill Street, (Wednesday – Saturday) 4. Dario’s on Main, 655 Main Street (Monday - Saturday) 5. El Toro’s, 187 River Street, (Sunday – Saturday) 6. Facility Management, 1000 John Fitch Hwy (Sunday through Saturday) 7. Great Wolf Lodge, 150 Great Wolf Drive (Sunday through Sunday) 8. Log Cabin, 135 Westminster Street (Sunday – Saturday) 9. Mama Juana Restaurant, 423 Main Street (Sunday – Saturday) 10. Marconi Club, 26 Birch Street Passway (Thursday – Sunday) 11. Mill City Pub, 19 Airport Road (Sunday – Saturday) (LLC Held) Page 3  12. Paddock Lounge, 426 Water Street (Sunday – Saturday) 13. Partners Pub, 970 South Street (Sunday through Saturday) 14. Slattery’s Restaurant, 106 Lunenburg Street (Sunday – Saturday) 15. South End National Club, 13 Market Street (Sunday through Saturday) 16. Tryst Lounge, 320 Main Street (Thursday - Sunday) 2024 License Renewals (Pouring) The following License Renewals (Pouring) were approved by roll call vote 2/0. Dario’s on Main The Paddock Lounge Legend’s Bar & Grill Singapore Mama Juana Restaurant South End National Club Marconi Social Club Tryst Lounge 99 Restaurant 2024 License Renewals (Package) The following License Renewals (Package) were approved by roll call vote 2/0. Castleway Market Peerless Package Store Cote’s Variety Sullivan’s Liquors Fitchburg Variety Super Liquors Gomes Super Mart Jay’s Liquors Topp’s Liquor Kappy’s Fine Wine and Spirits Twin City Market Krish Liquors Wine World M & M Variety Wyman’s Liquors OM Citgo Fitchburg J D’s Variety IV. CORRESPONDENCE 1. ABCC Actions On file with the City Clerk’s Office V. MISCELANEOUS 1. 2024 Schedule of Meetings 2024 Meeting calendar was approved by roll call vote 2/0 2. Review of Mill City Pub Late Closing Mill City Pub was not present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield confirmed that the clerk’s office had sent them an email, and commented that he had thought the commission had made it Page 4  clear that they had to come back for a review of the late closing. Commissioner Fossa suggested going to visit them after meeting to look at what Late Close Permit they were operating under. Motion to visit the establishment upon adjournment approved by unanimous roll call vote 2/0. VI. NEW BUSINESS City Clerk Joanna Bilotta shared with the commission that she had received an email from Ken Bergeron stating that Twin City Cab will not be renewing his Taxi Livery License for 2024. Lt. Howe shared with the commission of two disturbances at Major’s Café in which the police were called and that Major’s performed the corrective action in calling the police. NEXT REGULAR MEETING Monday, December 18, 2023 The meeting adjourned at 7:09 PM Respectfully submitted, Joanna Bilotta, City Clerk Approved: __________________ ___________________ Daniel Sarefield Richard Boscardin Glenn Fossa Page 5