License Commission

BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS City Hall, 718 Main Street Fitchburg MA 01420 (978) 829-1820 FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Daniel Sarefield, Chairman Jan 04 2024 1:32 pm Richard Boscardin Glenn Fossa MINUTES OF MEETING A special meeting of the Board of License Commissioners was held on Monday, December 7, 2023 via zoom was called to order by Commissioner Sarefield at 10:00 AM. Commissioner Fossa and Commissioner Boscardin were present. FPD Liaison Lieutenant Jeffrey Howe was absent and City Clerk Joanna Bilotta were present. I. MISCELLANEOUS 1. Review of Mill City Pub Late Closing Lawrence Lagoy and Joshua Champagne were in attendance, to recap Commissioner Sarefield spoke of the summons hearing held on September 27, 2023 and summarized the incidents involving patrons and employees carrying firearms and brandishing them on the video. At that meeting the commission found Mill City Pub in violation, and applied a suspension of the license for seven days. Three days were served on September 20th, October 1st, and October 2nd and four days held in abeyance. Changed the late closing time to 12:30 AM with a sixty day review. November 27, would have been the 60 days for Mill City to return to the commission for a review. Commissioner Sarefield asked Mr. Lagoy and Mr. Champagne how things have been going at the establishment since their last meeting. Mr. Champagne, stated things are going well, but as they expected, business has declined due to losing their pool teams with the earlier closing time. He also stated that since the last meeting the negative instances that could arise have been a lot better with their new change of rules. One of the new changes being patrons that appear to cause trouble upon entering, or have had issues in the past have been declined entry at the door. Mr. Champagne went on to say that they have had great communication with the police and they came once per their request and it was handled well. Once the 60 day period was up Mr. Champagne thought the license reverted back to the 2:00 AM closing. Mr. Fossa and Lt. Howe went to the location on December 4th after the license meeting that evening, which Mill City was on for a review and explained that they had needed to come in front of the Commission to be granted a different late close time. Commission Boscardin shared Lt. Howe was unable to attend the meeting, but he had no concerns. Commissioner Fossa expressed that when they went to Mill City Pub to speak with them they were very apologetic and extremely responsive, and can understand the confusion on their behalf. Commissioner Fossa made a motion to remove one day of abeyance in lieu of the events that have occurred. Commissioner Boscardin second the motion. Commissioner Sarefield commented that that Page 1  vote was not an item on the agenda to be voted on in this particular moment that we were focusing on the review of the late closing for Mill City Pub. Commissioner Fossa removed his motion and Commissioner Boscardin withdrew his second on the motion. The four days held in abeyance stands. Mr. Champagne stated that the business would love to go back to a 2:00 AM closing time. Mr. Lagoy shared they have seen issues with their normal patrons not coming due to the earlier close time because they would rather stay in their one spot for the night rather than bouncing around to different locations. Commissioner Fossa made a motion second by Commissioner Boscardin to allow a Late Close of 1:00 AM. Commissioner Boscardin made an amendment to the motion to add with a six month in person review, which would be for the applicant to attend the License Commission June 3, 2024, for the six (6) month review. 1:00 AM closing with in person six (6) month review June 3, 2024 was approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. II. NEW BUSINESS NEXT REGULAR MEETING Monday, December 18, 2023 The meeting adjourned at 10:28 AM Respectfully submitted, Joanna Bilotta, City Clerk Approved: __________________ ___________________ Daniel Sarefield Richard Boscardin Glenn Fossa Page 2