License Commission

BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS City Hall, 718 Main Street Fitchburg MA 01420 FITCHBURG CITY CLERK (978) 829-1820 Nov 25 2024 2:28 pm Daniel Sarefield, Chairman Richard Boscardin Glenn Fossa MINUTES OF MEETING A regular meeting of the Board of License Commissioners was held on Monday, October 7, 2024 in person and called to order by Commissioner Sarefield at 6:00 PM. Commissioner Boscardin and Fossa were present. FPD Liaison Lieutenant Jeffrey Howe, City Clerk Joanna Bilotta and Assistant City Clerk Elizabeth McNiff were present. I. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETING(S) Regular Minutes of September 16, 2024. Special Meeting Minutes of September 25, 2024. The Regular Meeting Minutes of September 16 and the Special Meeting Minutes of September 25, 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 present at the meeting, Commissioner Fossa disclosed that while he has a business relationship with the corporation but has no financial impact at stake. Commissioner Sarefield discussed the Taxi and Livery Service Regulations, as well as his driving history. Commissioner Sarefield asked if Mr. Daley had any taxi experience, Mr. Daley explained he had some training with the Leominster taxi company. Lt. Howe had no concerns. Application approved roll call vote 3/0. Special One Day Wine & Malt Beverages Joanne Pagnotta, St. Bernard’s High School, 45 Harvard Street, Class Reunion, Saturday, October 12, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, for approximately 50 people. Page 1 Ms. Pagnotta was absent at the meeting, Commissioner Boscardin spoke on her behalf. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed application and Commissioner Boscardin confirmed all servers have TIP certifications and that it also going to be around 25 people rather than 50. Lt. Howe had no concerns. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Jeff McVoy, Trustees Reception, Mazzafarro Building, President's Hall, 0 Highland Avenue, Tuesday, October 15, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, for approximately 30 people. Mr. McVoy was present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield stated for the record that while he is an employee at Fitchburg State University, he has no financial stake or connection to this event. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed application and verified all servers have TIP certifications. Mr. McVoy confirmed there would be no one invited to the event that is under 21 years old and has worked with campus police. Mr. McVoy asked to amend the date to Thursday, October 17, 2024. Lt Howe had no concerns. Amended application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Special One Day All Alcoholic Beverages Nathalie Rivera-Castro, Fitchburg Senior Center, 14 150 people. Wallace Avenue, Third Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM, for approximately Ms. Rivera-Castro was present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the application and verified that all servers have TIP certifications. Ms. Rivera-Castro informed the commission that six of the volunteers are TIP certified and they will be using wristbands for the people that are 21 years or older. Lt Howe had no concerns. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Monday-Saturday Entertainment Permit Joanne Pagnotta, St. Bernard’s High School, 45 Harvard Street, Class Reunion, Saturday, October 12, 2024, for DJ, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, for approximately 50 people. Ms. Pagnotta was absent at the meeting, Commissioner Boscardin spoke on her behalf. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed application. Commissioner Boscardin confirmed that the times are all set and Ms. Pagnotta is aware of it ending thirty minutes prior to 10:00 PM. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Nathalie Rivera-Castro, Fitchburg Senior Center, 14 Wallace Avenue, Third Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, November 9, 2024, for live amplified music, DJ, and dancing, from 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM, for approximately 150 people. Ms. Rivera-Castro present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the application and verified that Ms. Rivera-Castro is aware that all entertainment must be concluded thirty minutes prior to closing. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Page 2 Jennifer Knight, Upper Common, 0 Main Street, Grand Opening Flash Mob, Thursday, October 31, 2024, for live amplified music and dancing from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM, for approximately 25 people. Ms. Knight present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the application and verified that Ms. Knight is aware that all entertainment must be concluded thirty minutes prior to closing. Ms. Knight shared with the commission that this is a Halloween celebration with some light music and dancing. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Shane Franzen, Wallace Civic Center Parking Lot, 1000 John Fitch Hwy, Fitchburg State University Homecoming, Saturday, October 19, 2024, for DJ from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, for approximately 400 people. Mr. Franzen present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the application and verified that Mr. Franzen is aware that all entertainment must be concluded thirty minutes prior to closing. Mr. Franzen confirmed that FSU Police and FPD will be partnering for crowd control. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Shane Franzen, 160 Pearl Street, Fitchburg State University Homecoming Carnival, Friday, October 18, 2024, for carnival rides and games, from 3:00 PM to 10:30 PM, for approximately 1000 people. Mr. Franzen present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the application and verified that Mr. Franzen is aware that all entertainment must be concluded thirty minutes prior to closing. Mr. Franzen confirmed that FSU Police and FPD will be partnering for crowd control. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Merrick Henry, Fitchburg Senior Center, 14 Wallace Avenue, Fitchburg Fandom Festival, Saturday, October 12, 2024, for live amplified music, from 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM, for approximately 500 people. Mr. Henry present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the application and verified that Mr. Henry is aware that all entertainment must be concluded thirty minutes prior to closing. Mr. Henry confirmed that FSU Police and FPD will be partnering for crowd control. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Application for New General On-Premises Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages Liquor License Marcellos Restaurant Corporation DBA Marcellos Restaurant, 27 Airport Road (Refer to Public Hearing on October 21, 2024) Tacos Don Juan Inc., 356 Main Street (Refer to Public Hearing on October 21, 2024) Page 3 III. CORRESPONDCE Review of Taxi Rules and Regulations suggested changes. (Refer to Public Hearing on October 21, 2024) Complaint Filing from ABCC regarding The Cellar, 14 Mill Street On file at the City Clerk’s office No action taken. IV. NEW BUSINESS NEXT REGULAR MEETING Monday, September October 21, 2024 The meeting adjourned at 7:13 PM Respectfully submitted, Joanna Bilotta, City Clerk Approved: __________________ ___________________ Daniel Sarefield Richard Boscardin Glenn Fossa Page 4