License Commission

Minutes for the Lowell License Commission meeting for Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 6:05 p.m., held in the City Council Chamber, 2nd floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St., Lowell, MA 01852. Present: John Descoteaux, Commissioner, Chairman, Commissioners Clifford Krieger, Terry McCarthy, Martha Howe, and Joseph Donahue; and Captain Jack Webb of the Lowell Police Department. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner Krieger, second by Commissioner McCarthy, voted to approve the minutes for the meeting of January 25, 2018. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner Krieger, second by Commissioner Howe, voted to ratify the issuance of special one-day malt beverages and wines only license January 29, 2018 to Claire H. Couillard of Immaculate Conception Parish. The event was Italian Night/Spaghetti Supper at the Immaculate Conception School Cafeteria, 218 East Merrimack St., Saturday, February 3, 2018, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Rev. Nicholas A. Sannella, Pastor of the Immaculate Conception, was present. Ms. Couillard was unable to attend the meeting. The Commission reviewed applications for special one-day license to dispense wines only by Steve Syverson, President, Arts League of Lowell, Inc., 307 Market Street, for five (5) events: Artists' reception - UMass Lowell - Burning Minds, Saturday, February 24, 2018, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Artists' reception - Honoring Gaia: Earth Mother, Saturday, March 24, 2018, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Artists' reception - From All Sides, Saturday, May 12, 2018, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Artists' reception - Tiny Battles of Random Order, Thursday, May 17, 2018, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Artists' reception - New England, Saturday, June 23, 2018, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Steve Syverson was present. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner McCarthy, second by Commissioner Donahue, voted to approve licenses for Steve Syverson for the events of February 24, March 24, May 12, May 17, and June 23, 2018. License Commission minutes February 15, 2018 page 1 of 4 The Commission reviewed applications for special one-day license to sell/dispense malt beverages and wines only, or either one: Gabby Davis - Made in Lowell, Winterfest Footprint (Lucy Larcom Park to JFK Plaza), Craft Beer Showcase - Winterfest, Friday, February 23, 2018, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Gabby Davis was present. Wendi Wilkens of Tuttobene, Winterfest Footprint (Lucy Larcom Park to JFK Plaza), Winterfest, Friday, February 23, 2018, 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Saturday, February 24, 2018, 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Wendi Wilkens was present. P. J. Mercier of Navigation Brewing Co., Winterfest Footprint (Lucy Larcom Park to JFK Plaza), Winterfest, Friday, February 23, 2018, 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Saturday, February 24, 2018, 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. P. J. Mercier was present. Adam Pearson of Merrimack Ales, LLC, Winterfest Footprint (Lucy Larcom Park to JFK Plaza), Winterfest, Friday, February 23, 2018, 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Saturday, February 24, 2018, 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Adam Pearson was present. Scott Pelletier of Fuse Bistro was also present. He will be a vendor at JFK Plaza during Winterfest. Chairman Descoteaux addressed each vendor regarding their location during Winterfest and of the footprint from Lucy Larcom Park to JFK Plaza. Captain Webb stated there will be a Lowell police detail to monitor pedestrian activity. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner Howe, second by Commissioner Donahue, voted to approve licenses for Gabby Davis, Wendi Wilkens, P. J. Mercier, and Adam Pearson. The Commission reviewed additional applications for special one-day licenses for malt beverages and wines only or either one from Kathleen Neville of Budget Buddies, Inc., at UTEC, 35 Warren Street, for LUNAFEST film night on Friday, March 23, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and from Paula Doucette of Lupoli Companies, for Oscar Reception at 17 Shattuck Street, Sunday, March 4, 2018, 5:00 License Commission minutes February 15, 2018 page 2 of 4 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Kathleen Neville and Paula Doucette were present. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner McCarthy, second by Commissioner Donahue, voted to approve the license for Kathleen Neville, and on the motion by Commissioner Krieger, second by Commissioner Donahue, voted to approve the license for Paula Doucette. The Commission opened the public hearing on the application by M A & W, Inc., d/b/a The Keep, Richard T. Healy, President, for an all alcoholic beverages restaurant license for premises at 110 Gorham Street. The following individuals were present: Richard T. Healy and Micheal Conneely, corporate officers of M A & W, Inc. Chairman Descoteaux spoke of Richard Rourke, the renowned owner of Ricardo’s, who had passed away recently. Chairman Descoteaux expressed deepest sympathies by the License Commission to the Rourke Family. Richard Healy answered questions from Chairman Descoteaux, explaining his experience as a manager and server in the alcohol beverage business. Chairman Descoteaux Chairman Descoteaux opened the hearing for public comment. There was no one present to speak in favor of the application. There was no one present to speak in opposition to the application. The hearing was declared closed. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner Krieger, second by Commissioner McCarthy, voted to grant the all alcoholic beverages restaurant license to M A & W, Inc., d/b/a The Keep, Richard T. Healy, President, for premises at 110 Gorham St., for the calendar year ending December 31, 2018. The Commission voted to approve Richard T. Healy as manager of record for M A & W, Inc. A common victualler license was granted to M A & W, Inc., d/b/a The Keep, for premises at 110 Gorham St. Chairman Descoteaux and Commissioner Howe discussed the reason for tabling a review of the pub crawl ordinance. Chairman Descoteaux stated that a request for amendments by the Commission is not anticipated to be acted upon by the City Council in the near future. Commissioner Howe acknowledged the attendance of Robert Johnson, Nick Morano, and Mike Tecci of Whats Poppin, the organizer of a License Commission minutes February 15, 2018 page 3 of 4 pub crawl on May 5, 2018. Mr. Johnson requested assurance that the pub crawl license for May 5th is approved for three (3) establishments. There was no further discussion. The Commission reviewed the application filed by Rex Corp., d/b/a Rex Restaurant Bakery Lounge, Tuananh Van Nguyen, President, for the transfer of the all alcoholic beverages club license from The Gaelic-American Club, Inc., John B. Brady, Manager, for premises at 255-265 Chelmsford Street, and change of license type from club to restaurant. Attorney William Martin, legal counsel for Rex Corp., spoke about the application by Rex Corp. The Commission voted on the motion by Commissioner Krieger, second by Commissioner McCarthy, to schedule the public hearing for Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. to be held in the City Council Chamber. A legal notice for the application is to be published in the Lowell SUN newspaper on February 23, 2018. The Commission reviewed the communications from William M. Taylor, Superintendent of Police, for allegations of misconduct against the following restaurant licensees for all alcoholic beverages: LCRC, Inc., d/b/a Dudley’s, 19 Merrimack St., Matthew J. Murphy, Manager LD Holdings, LLC, d/b/a Bar 74 Lounge & Grill, 76-78 Merrimack St., David E. Heeley, Manager, Lauren DiSalvo, Owner LD Holdings, LLC, d/b/a Revolution, 74 Merrimack St., Sean K. Brine, Manager, Lauren DiSalvo, Owner. The Commission, on the motion by Chairman Descoteaux, second by Commissioner McCarthy, voted to schedule hearings for Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 6:00 p.m., to be held in the City Council Chamber. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner Krieger, second by Commissioner McCarthy, voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Ryan Wynn, Executive Secretary, present at meeting. License Commission minutes February 15, 2018 page 4 of 4