License Commission

Minutes for the Lowell License Commission meeting for Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 6:00 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, and Martha Howe; and Adam LaGrassa, Assistant City Solicitor, and Captain Paul Laferriere of the Lowell Police Department. Absent: Commissioner Joseph Donahue The Commission approved the meeting minutes for July 26, 2018 on the motion by Commissioner Howe, second by Commissioner McCarthy. The Commission reviewed applications for special one-day license to dispense wines only by Steve Syverson, President, Arts League of Lowell, Inc., at 307 Market Street, Artists' reception - Variations in Scale, Saturday, August 18, 2018, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Artists' reception - Port of Entry, Saturday, September 8, 2018, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Artists' reception - Journeys, Saturday, October 13, 2018, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Artists' reception - One the Other Side, Saturday, October 27, 2018, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Artists' reception - 100 & Below, Saturday, December 8, 2018, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Steve Syverson was present. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner McCarthy, second by Commissioner Krieger, voted to approve licenses for Steve Syverson of Arts League of Lowell. The Commission reviewed the applications for special events permit for amplified outdoor public entertainment from Molyka Tieng, Lowell Community Health Center, sound system for Block Party at 161 Jackson Street, Thursday, August 16, 2018, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Suzzanne Cromwell, Lowell Film Collaborative, film screening, Summer Family Outdoor Movie Night/Back to School Event, Saturday, August 25, 2018 [rain date September 22, 2018], 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., at the Reilly Elementary School, 115 Douglas Rd. Molyka Tieng and Suzzanne Cromwell were present. Chairman Descoteaux inquired with Captain Laferriere if either event would be of concern. Captain Laferriere stated there is no problem. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner Krieger, second by Commissioner Howe, voted to approve License Commission minutes August 9, 2018 page 1 of 4 special event permit for Molyka Tieng of Lowell Community Health, and for Suzanne Cromwell of Lowell Film Collaborative. The Commission reviewed for ratification the Sidewalk Stand permit issued on July 27, 2018 to Mark Coddaire, d/b/a Marx Running, 118 Merrimack Street, Seasonal June to October 2018. Mark Coddaire was present. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner Krieger, second by Commissioner Howe, voted to ratify issuance of said permit to Mark Coddaire. The Commission opened the hearing continued from July 26, 2018 on the application filed by LD Holdings, LLC, d/b/a Revolution, alcoholic beverages restaurant licensee at 74 Merrimack St., for change of manager of record to Joel E. Feicht of Columbiana, Ohio. Attorney Travis Jacobs, legal counsel for LD Holdings, LLC, was present. Attorney Jacobs stated that he had sent Mr. Feicht’s resume and CORI reports to the Executive Secretary for the Commission’s review. The Commission discussed the pending employment of Mr. Feicht with Attorney Jacobs. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner McCarthy, second by Commissioner Krieger, voted to approve Joel E. Feicht as manager of record for LD Holdings, LLC, d/b/a Revolution. Chairman Descoteaux recused himself on the next agenda item on the advice of the City Solicitor. Commissioner Krieger is to preside. The Commission opened the hearing continued from July 26, 2018 on the application filed by LD Holdings, LLC, d/b/a Bar 74 Lounge & Grill, alcoholic beverages restaurant licensee at 76-78 Merrimack St., for change of manager of record to Chelsea Lee Grove of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Attorney Travis Jacobs, legal counsel for LD Holdings, LLC, was present. Attorney Jacobs stated that he had sent Ms. Grove’s resume and CORI reports to the Executive Secretary for the Commission’s review. The Commission discussed the pending employment of Ms. Grove, expecting her to maintain the premises in compliance with rules and regulations for alcohol beverages. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner McCarthy, second by Commissioner Krieger, voted to approve Chelsea Lee Grove as manager of record for LD Holdings, LLC, d/b/a Bar 74 Lounge & Grill. Chairman Descoteaux returned to the meeting. License Commission minutes August 9, 2018 page 2 of 4 The Commission opened the public hearing on the application by Fenil Corporation, d/b/a Country Farms, Jayeshkumar Arvind Patel, President, for transfer of malt beverages & wines only package store license from Amal Fuel Inc., d/b/a Drum Hill Gulf, Richard Elkhoury, President, and for change of location from 1299 Westford Street to 268 Branch Street. It is requested that Jayeshkumar Arvind Patel be approved as manager of record for Fenil Corporation. Jayeshkumar Arvind Patel and Attorney Brian Akashian of Chelmsford, legal counsel for Jayeshkumar Arvind Patel, were present. The Commission reviewed the affidavit of notification to abutters. The affidavit was ordered to be placed on file, with white postal slips and return receipts filed by legal counsel. Attorney Akashian stated that Mr. Patel presently holds the malt beverages & wines only package store license at 1460 Middlesex Street, and also has license in the Town of Dracut. There have been no issues with either licensed premises. Atty. Akashian stated that Mr. Patel would be placing emphasis on specialty beers at Country Farms store which he has owned for four years. Atty. Akashian did not foresee a conflict with the package store at 2 Dover Sq., known as L & S Liquors. 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 public hearing was closed. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner McCarthy, second by Commissioner Krieger, voted to approve the transfer of the malt beverages and wines only package store license for the calendar year to expire December 31, 2018 from Amal Fuel Inc., d/b/a Drum Hill Gulf, to Fenil Corporation, d/b/a Country Farms, Jayeshkumar Arvind Patel, President, and for change of location from 1299 Westford Street to 268 Branch Street. It was voted to approve Jayeshkumar Arvind Patel as manager of record for Fenil Corporation, d/b/a Country Farms, 268 Branch St. License Commission reviewed a copy of the communication from Office of Lowell Fire Prevention sent August 1, 2018 to Jeffrey J. Winward, Lowell Fire Chief, re list of all establishments visited on Saturday July 28 2018 during crowd manager check. The Commission discussed the public safety inspections that occurred on July 28th. Chairman Descoteaux addressed the matter of a follow-up as to whether one licensed establishment has complied with the requirements outlined for the crowd manager. License Commission minutes August 9, 2018 page 3 of 4 Commissioner McCarthy made the motion to place said communication on file for two weeks, pending a communication of compliance, seconded by Commissioner Krieger, so voted. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner Krieger, second by Commissioner Howe, voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Ryan Wynn, Executive Secretary, present at meeting. ***** License Commission minutes August 9, 2018 page 4 of 4