License Commission

BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS City Hall, 718 Main Street FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Fitchburg MA 01420 (978) 829-1820 Sep 17 2024 8:50 am Daniel Sarefield, Chairman Richard Boscardin Glenn Fossa MINUTES OF MEETING A special meeting of the Board of License Commissioners was held on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 VIA zoom and called to order by Commissioner Sarefield at 10:16 AM. Commission Boscardin and Commissioner Fossa were present. City Clerk Joanna Bilotta and Assistant City Clerk Elizabeth McNiff were present. I. REDO THE MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 TO ADDRESS POTENTIAL OPEN MEETING LAW VIOLATIONS II. RECONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION AND VOTE AGENDA AS FOLLOWS City Clerk’s office explained that the meeting agenda for the September 4, 2024 meeting was not posted on the city website. The commission will now reconsider and discuss all items from the September 4, 2024 meeting. III. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETING(S) 1. Regular Minutes of July 15, 2024. 2. Special Meeting Minutes of July 31, August 5, August 21, 2024. The Regular Meeting Minutes of July 15, 2024 and the special meeting minutes of July 31, August 5, and August 21, 2024 were approved by roll call vote 3/0. IV. 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 Jean-Paul Vheri – Trinity Solar, LLC Mr. Vheri not present on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 and Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Application denied by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Page 1  Monday-Saturday Entertainment Permit Deb Hinkle, Fitchburg Public Library, Library Groundbreaking, 610 Main Street, Tuesday, October 8, 2024, for live amplified speaking, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, for approximately 100 people. Ms. Hinkle was present on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the application and verified that Ms. Hinkle is aware that all entertainment must be concluded thirty minutes prior to closing. Officer Sevigny had no concerns. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0 Sally Cragin, Thurston Consort, 50 Wallace Avenue, Saturday, October 5, 2024, for live acoustic music, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, for approximately 50 people. Councilor Cragin was not present on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. City Clerk Joanna Bilotta spoke on her behalf. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the application and verified that all entertainment must be concluded thirty minutes prior to closing. Officer Sevigny had no concerns. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Special One Day Wine & Malt Beverages Jeff McVoy, Fitchburg State University, Athletic Football, Soccer, and Field Hockey Games, Fitchburg State University Football Field Complex, Elliot Field, 0 Pearl Hill Road, Saturday, September 19 14, and Saturday September 21, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, for approximately 100 people. Jeff McVoy, Fitchburg State University, Athletic Football, Soccer, and Field Hockey Games, Fitchburg State University Football Field Complex, Elliot Field, 0 Pearl Hill Road, Friday, October 18, 2024, from 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM, for approximately 50 people. Jeff McVoy, Fitchburg State University, Athletic Football, Soccer, and Field Hockey Games, Fitchburg State University Football Field Complex, Elliot Field, 0 Pearl Hill Road, Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, for approximately 150 people. Mr. McVoy was present on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Commissioner Sarefield stated for the record that he is employee of Fitchburg State, but has no financial stake in these matters. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the applications and verified all servers have TIPS certifications. Mr. McVoy has his catering staff/management with their tip certifications. He explained that areas for drinking will be blocked off and fenced in, and anyone drinking will have a wrist band. Mr. McVoy also confirmed he has spoken with campus police and their approval and security for all events. Officer Sevigny had no concerns. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. V. PUBLIC HEARING Application for Change of Manager, Change of Location, Change of Corporate Name Jessica Lagoy DBA Mill City Pub, 19 Airport Road Commissioner Sarefield open the public hearing at 6:16 PM Page 2  Mr. Champagne and Ms. Nolan were present on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. The manager on record Ms. Jessica Lagoy was not present at this meeting. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the application and after further review and talking with Mr. Ralph Sacramone at the ABCC pointed out that this is the wrong application that the licensees filled out. There is an application of multiple amendments for an establishment on the ABCC website that should be the correct application for the licensees to fill out. The commission wanted to state that they are not attorney’s while suggesting these changes, they just want to ensure the applicant’s application does not get returned by the state, resulting in loss of time to open up the new establishment. Public Hearing was closed at 6:47 PM Motion to continue the public hearing to the next meeting or an earlier date approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. VI. 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. PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUATION Application for Change of Manager, Change of Location, Change of Corporate Name, Change of Ownership Interest, Change of Corporate Name Jessica Lagoy DBA Mill City Pub, 19 Airport Road Mr. Lagoy and Ms. Nolan were present at the meeting.. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the application resubmitted from Mill City Club and Pizza, confirming all five changes, which are Change of Manager, Change of Location, Change Corporate Name, Change of Ownership Interest, and Change of Corporate Structure. Mr. Lagoy confirmed that they have spoken with the ABCC and added or made any changes suggested by the investigator regarding their application. Commissioner Sarefield asked if an attorney has looked over this application. Mr. Lagoy confirmed that their attorney has reviewed this application and confirmed that everything looked accurate. Commissioner Sarefield confirmed with City Clerk Joanna Bilotta that the CORI forms came back all set. Commissioner Sarefield open the public hearing at 10:39 AM No one from the public spoke for or against this application. Public hearing was closed at 10:39 AM Commissioner Sarefield asked if the commissioners had any questions before voting. Commissioner Boscardin wanted information on the video surveillance system. Mr. Lagoy confirmed that their video surveillance will be all set up with coverage in and around the building. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Page 3 VII. CORRESPONDENCE No correspondence. VIII. NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Fossa wanted to update the commission on some rules and regulation changes to the taxi regulations. He will have more information at the Monday, September 16, 2024 meeting. NEXT REGULAR MEETING Monday, September 16, 2024 Joanna Bilotta-Simeone, City Clerk The meeting adjourned at 11:00 AM Respectfully submitted, Joanna Bilotta, City Clerk Approved: __________________ ___________________ Daniel Sarefield Richard Boscardin Glenn Fossa Page 4