License Commission

Minutes for Lowell License Commission meeting, Thursday, January 16, 2014; meeting held in the Council Chamber, 2nd floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St., Lowell, MA 01852 Present: Brian Akashian, Commissioner, Chairman, Cliff Krieger, Commissioner, John Descoteaux, Commissioner, Captain Jack Webb of the Lowell Police Department. The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. The Commission, on a motion by Commissioner Krieger, second by Commissioner Descoteaux, voted to approve minutes for meeting of December 5, 2013, and meeting of December 19, 2013. The Commission ratified the issuance of the special one-day license for malt beverages & wines only, or either one, to Donna R. Julian [present] for event at Lowell Memorial Auditorium, license # 2SP2014, Golden Gloves Boxing, Friday, January 10, 2014, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Commission ratified the issuance of the special license to sell/dispense malt beverages & wines only, or either one, to John Dyson of the Merrimack Repertory Theatre, at Liberty Hall, 50 East Merrimack St., license # 3SP2014, concession sales/service 45-minutes prior to performance, and 15-minutes intermission, for January 9, 10, 11, 12, and 16, 2014 [5 dates]. The Commission ratified the issuance of the special one-day license for malt beverages & wines only to Vasilios Asimakos [present] of iMedia AVM, Inc., Onyx Room, Western Ave. Studios, license # 4SP2014, Film Screening, Saturday, January 11, 2014, 7:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Commissioner Akashian questioned Mr. Asimakos about the event held on January 11, 2014; Mr. Asimakos, acknowledged that the application was his first time applying for a license, and that the event took place without any issue; the film was a movie for which he had been the director. On a motion by Commissioner Akashian, second by Commissioner Krieger, the Commission voted to ratify the issuance of said licenses. The Commission reviewed special one-day license applications for alcoholic beverages, as follows: License Commission minutes for January 16, 2014 1 Special one-day license applications for malt beverages & wines only, or either one, from Donna R. Julian [present] for events at Lowell Memorial Auditorium: Golden Gloves Boxing, Friday, January 17, 2014, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Million Dollar Quartet, Sunday, January 19, 2014, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Golden Gloves Boxing, Tuesday, January 21, 2014, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Golden Gloves Boxing, Tuesday, January 28, 2014, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Special one-day license applications to sell/dispense Wines only Steve Syverson [present], President, Arts League of Lowell, 307 Market St. Artists reception, Bowl a Bowl a Fundraiser, Saturday, January 18, 2014, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Artists reception, Off the Beaten Track, Saturday, March 8, 2014, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Karen Boutet [present] of Zeitgeist Gallery, 167 Market St. Art reception, Saturday, February 1, 2014, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Lowell Celebrates Kerouac event, Friday, March 1, 2014, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Art reception, Saturday, March 22, 2014, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Application for special license to sell/dispense malt beverages & wines only, or either one, to John Dyson of the Merrimack Repertory Theatre, at Liberty Hall, 50 East Merrimack St.: Concession sales/service 45-minutes prior to performance, and 15-minutes intermission, for January 17, 18, 19, 22, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, February 1, 2, 2014 [12 dates]. Application for special license to sell/dispense malt beverages & wines only, or either one, to John Dyson of the Merrimack Repertory Theatre, at Liberty Hall, 50 East Merrimack St.: Concession sales/service 1 hour and 30-minutes prior to performance, for January 23, 2014. Application for special license to sell/dispense malt beverages & wines only, or either one, to John Dyson of the Merrimack Repertory Theatre, at Liberty Hall, 50 East Merrimack St.: License Commission minutes for January 16, 2014 2 Concession sales/service 45-minutes prior to performance, and 15-minutes intermission, for February 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 2014 [11 dates]. Application for special license to sell/dispense malt beverages & wines only, or either one, to Edgar Cyrus [present] of the Merrimack Repertory Theatre, at Liberty Hall, 50 East Merrimack St.: Concession sales/service 45-minutes prior to performance, and 15-minutes intermission, for February 28, March 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, April 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 2014 [26 dates]. Application for special license to sell/dispense malt beverages & wines only, or either one, to Michael LaChance [present] of the Merrimack Repertory Theatre, at Liberty Hall, 50 East Merrimack St.: Concession sales/service 1 hour and 30-minutes prior to performance, and 15 minutes intermission for April 3, 2014. Application for special license to sell/dispense malt beverages & wines only, or either one, to Michael LaChance of the Merrimack Repertory Theatre, at Liberty Hall, 50 East Merrimack St.: Concession sales/service 45-minutes prior to performance, and 15-minutes intermission, for April 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, May 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 2014 [19 dates]. Commissioner Akashian all of the applicants of their responsibilities; each person should have the main business line of the Lowell Police Department if in the event a need arises for police intervention at a function. Edgar Cyrus, General Manager for the Merrimack Repertory Theatre addressed the Commission about the scheduled activity of the theatre company, i.e. a special promotion is scheduled for January 23, and April 3]. License Commission minutes for January 16, 2014 3 On a motion by Commissioner Descoteaux, second by Commissioner Krieger, the Commission approved special one-day alcohol beverages licenses for Donna R. Julian, Steve Syverson, Karen Boutet, John Dyson, Edgar Cyrus, and Michael LaChance. The Commission reviewed the application by United States Bunting Cricket Club and Athletic Association, all alcoholic beverages Club licensee at 449 Boylston Street, for change of manager from Peter J. McHugh to Michael P. Sheehan of Lowell. Michael Sheehan was present. Mr. Sheehan stated the number of years he has been a club member, and a bartender; he is T.I.P.S. certified. Mr. Sheehan stated he is employed with the Tewksbury Police Department. On a motion by Commissioner Krieger, second by Commissioner Akashian, the Commission approved Michael Sheehan as manager of record for the Bunting Club. The Commission reviewed the application by The Sporting and Athletic Club of Lowell, Inc., all alcoholic beverages Club licensee at 525 Market Street, for change of manager from Sue-Ellen Kazanjian to Dennis R. Garneau of Hudson, NH. Dennis Garneau and Atty. Michael Zaim, legal counsel for the Club licensee, were present. Atty. Zaim stated the application for manager change is for the Commission’s consideration. Atty. Zaim stated that Mr. Garneau has been a manager of a package store, and a bartender at the Passe-Temps club; he is T.I.P.S. certified. Commissioner Descoteaux asked about the hours Mr. Garneau would be actively engaged at the Club. Mr. Garneau stated his schedule will be 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Monday to Sunday. The club has a private membership, with a key; guests are to be signed-in by the members. On a motion by Commissioner Krieger, second by Commissioner Descoteaux, the Commission approved Dennis Garneau as manager of record for the S.A.C. Club. The Commission ratified the action of the Executive Secretary for the publication of the legal notice for the application by Julian Lenzi Hospitality Group, Inc., Michael J. Lenzi, President, for all alcoholic beverages Restaurant license for Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 East Merrimack St. License Commission minutes for January 16, 2014 4 Legal notice is scheduled for publication January 17, 2014, public hearing scheduled for January 30, 2014. The Commission reviewed and ordered placed on file the communication from Tim Kelleher of The Middle Street Village, Inc., all alcoholic beverages Restaurant licensee at 92-98 Middle St. regarding an incident that involved two patrons. The Commission reviewed the special one-day license application for malt beverages & wines only, or either one, from William Fuller of The Bartending Service of New England, LLC. Nicole Phillips, Manager of Bartending Service, was present. The event is a retirement party to be held at John Nesmith House, 229 Andover St., Thursday, January 30, 2014, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. On a motion by Commissioner Descoteaux, second by Commissioner Akashian, the Commission approved the special one-day license for William Fuller. The Executive Secretary reported that there are 2014 annual alcohol beverages licenses for restaurants not issued; the license fees not paid, and certificates of inspection not filed, and with one exception, liquor liability insurance certificates have not been filed; it was requested that written notice for hearing be sent to the business owners to appear before the Commission at the next regular meeting on the matter of cancellation of said alcohol beverages licenses. On a motion by Commissioner Akashian, second by Commissioner Krieger, it was voted that notifications be sent to the following licensees for hearings on January 30, 2014: White Eagle Café of Lowell, Inc., Puff, Inc. and Mambo Grill, Inc. Commissioner Descoteaux stated he has a conflict of interest regarding the ownership of Mambo Grill, Inc.; Commissioner Descoteaux abstained from voting on said motion. Commissioner Krieger announced that Police Captain Jack Webb has a new assignment, and will not be the Superintendent’s liaison to the License Commission after tonight’s meeting. Commissioner Akashian, Commissioner Krieger, and Commissioner Descoteaux expressed their appreciation to Captain Webb for his years of service on behalf of the Superintendent of Police to License Commission minutes for January 16, 2014 5 the members of the Commission. On a motion by Commissioner Krieger, second by Commissioner Akashian, it was voted unanimously to state “thank you” to Captain Jack Webb. On a motion by Commissioner Akashian, second by Commissioner Krieger, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 7 p.m., respectfully submitted: Ryan Wynn, Executive Secretary [present at meeting]. License Commission minutes for January 16, 2014 6