License Commission

BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS City Hall, 718 Main Street FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Fitchburg MA 01420 Oct 08 2024 9:15 am (978) 829-1820 Daniel Sarefield, Chairman Richard Boscardin Glenn Fossa MINUTES OF MEETING A regular meeting of the Board of License Commissioners was held on Monday, September 16, 2024 in person and called to order by Commissioner Sarefield at 6:01 PM. Commissioner Boscardin and Fossa were present. FPD Officer Michael Sevigny, City Clerk Joanna Bilotta and Assistant City Clerk Elizabeth McNiff were present. I. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETING(S) 1. Special Meeting Minutes of August 29 and September 11, 2024 The Special Meeting Minutes of August 29 and September 11, 2024 were approved by roll call vote 3/0. 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. Taxi Driver Permit James Daley IV – City Cab Co. Mr. Daley was not present at the meeting, Application moved to next meeting. Monday – Saturday Entertainment Permit Peter Sangermano, POS Food Service LLC, 100 Game on Way, Saturday, September 21, 2024, for live amplified and acoustic music, DJ, and dancing from 3:00 PM to 12:30 AM, for approximately 3500 people. City Clerk Joanna Bilotta explained this application was a mistake, as they have an annual entertainment permit. Officer Sevigny will look into the police detail for this event. Application approved unanimous consent 3/0 Page 1  Transfer of Annual All Alcohol Beverage License, Change of Location – Reconsideration Janessa Nolan, Mill City Pub and Pizza LLC, DBA Mill City Pub, 488 John Fitch Highway Mr. Champagne was present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the reconsideration application and believes everything looks to be in order. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. III. SUMMONS HEARING Partner’s Pub, Jonathan Dickhaut, 970 South Street Mr. Dickhaut was present at the meeting. Officer Viches was absent due to a personal emergency. Commissioner Sarefield explained that while there is no specific violation the commission had conducted this summons hearing to help ensure that he is staying in compliance. Mr. Dickhaut explained that the night of the incident fifteen other establishments in the greater area were closed, the clientele had been some customers he had never seen before. The customers were there for one hour and had consumed two beverages each before the disturbance happened. Mr. Dickhaut explained that they were not over served or appeared to be intoxicated when they entered the premise. The FPD were called right away to handle the situation and Mr. Dickhaut provided the FPD with the video footage the next day. Officer Sevigny confirmed after the police reviewed the video footage there was no incidence of over serving and could find no indication of a violation from the license commission rules and regulations. Commissioner Sarefield asked if any precautions or changes have been made since the incident. Mr. Dickhaut explained that they had a staff meeting following the incident, for the time being they will be locking their doors at 12:00 AM, and anyone involved in the incident have not been allowed entrance. Commissioner Fossa recused himself on voting due to his personal residence. Motion to take no action approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. The Paddock Lounge, Kevin Brogna, 3 E. Prospect Street Mr. Brogna and Detective Walker were present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield explained that Detective Walker would explain his scenario first, then the licensee would have a chance to talk to the commission. Detective Walker explained that this still was an ongoing investigation. He explained to the commission that he was not at the initial scene, he arrived around 2:00 AM. Everyone had already left by the time he came so he could not interview any of the patrons that night. After talking with the staff they explained there had been no issues all night leading up to the incident. Detective Walker explained that while Mr. Brogna does have camera footage, it runs on a live feed that connects to his wife’s phone, so there was no actual recording he could provide to the investigation. Detective Walker shared with the commission that Mr. Brogna has been helpful during the investigation, he always answers when he calls. Mr. Brogna spoke on the events from his perspective. There was about 65-70 people in the establishment that night. Before the incident, it had been a very good night. He shared with the commission that night Page 2  working besides the bar staff was two front door security and one back door security for the patio. At the door before entrance they always check ID’s, patrons get wanded, and patted down by security. Mr. Brogna immediately called the police. Detective Walker confirmed that after talking with the patrons involved in the incident, they all confirmed that they were wanded and padded down by security upon entrance into the establishment. Commissioner Sarefield asked if any precautions or changes have been made since the incident. Mr. Brogna confirmed that weekend of the event they shut down and had staff meeting. They have for the time being shutting down at 12:00 AM and letting only a certain amount of people in., he does not want anybody lives put at risk. He has also started looking into video camera footage that will record rather than the system he is currently using. Motion to take no action approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. IV. CORRESPONDCE City Clerk Joanna Bilotta shared with the commission a previous zoom meeting being held by the ABCC investigating of Om Citgo has been continued to September 24th. V. NEW BUSINESS City clerk Joanna Bilotta shared a copy of a unanimous complaint from the ABCC received in the City Clerk’s office Monday, September 16, 2024 regarding The Cellar establishment. NEXT REGULAR MEETING Monday, September October 7, 2024 The meeting adjourned at 7:01 PM Respectfully submitted, Joanna Bilotta, City Clerk Approved: __________________ ___________________ Daniel Sarefield Richard Boscardin Glenn Fossa Page 3