License Commission

Monty Tech BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS City Hall, 718 Main Street FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Fitchburg MA 01420 Sep 04 2025 9:39 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, July 21, 2025 in person and called to order by Commissioner Sarefield at 6:01 PM. Commissioner Fossa was present. Commissioner Boscardin was present VIA zoom. FPD Liaison Lt. Keenan, Officer Michael Sevigny, were present. City Clerk Joanna Bilotta and Assistant City Clerk Elizabeth McNiff. I. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETING(S) 1. Regular Minutes of July 7, 2025 The regular meeting minutes of July 7, 2025 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. Monday-Saturday Entertainment Permit Yolene Gonzalez, Renacer MA Spanish SDA Church, Expo-Feria 2025, 0 Boulder Drive, Riverfront Park, Sunday, August 10, 2025 for live amplified music, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, for approximately 300 people. Ms. Gonzalez was present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the application and verified that Ms. Gonzalez is aware that all entertainment must be shut down thirty minutes prior to closing. Commissioner Fossa amended the location of the event be added to the description. No concerns from Lt. Keenan. Amended application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Charles Barbera, Youth Innovation Center, One-Year Anniversary Block Party, 2-18 Fairmount Street, Daniels Park, Saturday, August 9, 2025 for live amplified music and microphone, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, for approximately 50 people. Mr. Barbera was present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the application and verified that Mr. Barbera is aware that all entertainment must be shut down thirty minutes prior to closing. Commissioner Fossa amended the location of the event be added to the description. No concerns from Lt Keenan. Amended applications approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Page 1  Emily Beauvais Doss, Ronny’s Voice Memorial Classic, Green Street Park, 55 North Street, Sunday, July 27, 2025, for live amplified music, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, for approximately 100 people. (Approved at 4/22/25 meeting, this is the rain date.) Ms. Beauvais was not present. This application was previously approved this is the rain date. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Special One Day All Alcoholic Beverages Jeff McVoy, Compass Group NA, DBA Chartwells Dining Services, Trustees Reception, 0 Highland Avenue, President’s Hall Reception Room Mazzafarro Building, Tuesday, August 12, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM, for approximately 25 people. Jeff McVoy, Compass Group NA, DBA Chartwells Dining Services, Athletic Football Game, 0 Pearl Hill Road, President’s Private Viewing Box and Blocked off Beer Garden, Friday, September 5, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM, for approximately 125 people. Jeff McVoy, Compass Group NA, DBA Chartwells Dining Services, Athletic Football Game, 0 Pearl Hill Road, President’s Private Viewing Box and Blocked off Beer Garden, Saturday, September 20th, October 4th, November 1st, November 15th, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, for approximately 125 people. Mr. McVoy was present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield noted for the record that, although he serves as a professor at Fitchburg State University, he holds no financial interest in the matter under discussion. Mr. McVoy explained to the commission that it is the same set up as last year. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the application and verified that the events will have TIP certified servers. Mr. McVoy informed the commission that he has the support of the campus police as well. No concerns from Lt. Keenan. Applications approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Lodging House Application SMOC Housing, 94 Highland Avenue Ms. Davitt was present at the meeting. City Clerk Joanna Bilotta informed the commission that the item under review was a renewal application. Mr. Davitt was not present. Senior Housing Director David Davidowicz attended the meeting and was available to answer questions. Commissioner Sarefield reviewed the application and confirmed that Mr. Davidowicz had submitted all the required paperwork and completed the necessary inspections. Commissioner Sarefield inquired about the property manager, to which Mr. Davidowicz responded that Mr. Zachary Sawyer is a responsible and experienced individual who has managed the property for several years. He is familiar with the facility, adheres to procedures, and is well-suited for the role. Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. III. PUBLIC HEARING Application for New General On-Premises Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages Liquor License Letz Rage LLC, 20 Putnam Street Mr. Lipomi was present at the meeting. He presented his plans to the commission regarding his existing business, stating that he intends to expand by offering food and beverage options to his customers. Commissioner Sarefield inquired about Mr. Lipomi’s managerial experience in operating a bar. Mr. Lipomi explained that, while he has never officially held the title of manager on record, he has spent most of his life working in the restaurant industry and is well-versed in its operations. Page 2  Commissioner Sarefield also asked whether Mr. Lipomi held a current TIP certification. Mr. Lipomi confirmed that he had recently renewed it. No concerns from Lt. Keenan. Public Hearing opened 6:36 PM No one spoke for or against the application. Public Hearing was closed at 6:37 PM Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Transfer of License and Change of Manager Application Compass Group USA, Inc., 160 Pearl Street Mr. McVoy was present at the meeting. Commissioner Sarefield noted for the record that, although he serves as a professor at Fitchburg State University, he holds no financial interest in the matter under discussion. Mr. McVoy informed the Commission that he will serve as the manager of record for the Falcon Hub and that the license is being transferred from Fitchburg State University to Compass Group USA, Inc. He explained that he is employed by Chartwells, the food service provider for the university, which operates as a division of Compass Group. Commissioner Sarefield confirmed with Mr. McVoy that he holds current TIPS certification. Commissioner Sarefield confirmed with Mr. McVoy that he has his TIPS certification. No concerns from Lt. Keenan Public Hearing opened 6:49 PM No one spoke for or against the application. Public Hearing was closed at 6:51 PM Application approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. IV. CORRESPONDENCE V. NEW BUSINESS Lt. Keenan reported to the Commission two separate incidents that occurred at Major’s Café, located at 149 Lunenburg Street. The first incident took place on July 12, 2025, and involved a physical altercation that occurred after closing hours in the establishment's parking lot. The second incident occurred on July 18, 2025, and was another physical altercation. In this case, one patron was rendered unconscious and had to be transported to the hospital for treatment. In both incidents, the licensee failed to contact the Fitchburg Police Department. Motion to summons hearing July 29, 2025 approved by unanimous roll call vote 3/0. Page 3  NEXT REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, September 3, 2025 The meeting adjourned at 7:17 PM Respectfully submitted, Joanna Bilotta, City Clerk Approved: __________________ ___________________ Daniel Sarefield Richard Boscardin Glenn Fossa Page 4