License Commission

Minutes for the Lowell License Commission meeting for Thursday, November 8, 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, Martha Howe, and Joseph Donahue; and Adam LaGrassa, Assistant City Solicitor, and Captain James Hodgdon of the Lowell Police Department. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner Krieger, second by Commissioner McCarthy, voted to approve the meeting minutes for October 18, 2018. The Commission reviewed the application for special one-day license to sell/dispense malt beverages and wines only, or either one by Kerry Regan Jenness of Coalition for a Better Acre, at St. Jean Baptiste, 741 Merrimack St., Cornhole Tournament to benefit CBA, Saturday, November 10, 2018, 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Kerry Regan Jenness was present. Ms. Regan Jenness stated the fundraiser will have a T.I.P.S. certified server. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner McCarthy, second by Commissioner Donahue, voted to approve the special one-day license to Kerry Regan Jenness for the CBA event on November 10, 2018. The Commission opened the public hearing on the application by Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus Inc., d/b/a Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus, Andrew Jacobson, President, for an all alcoholic beverages restaurant license for premises at 61 Market Street, Unit 1A, first floor, 925 square feet, one room, one entrance, three exits, basement for storage, and sidewalk seating for restaurant. Andrew Jacobson was present. It is requested that Andrew Jacobson be approved as manager of record for Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus Inc. Chairman Descoteaux asked Mr. Jacobson what his plan is for restaurant liquor license. Mr. Jacobson stated he would like to serve coffee house style drinks such as Irish coffee, using Bailey’s, and to offer a malt beverage with coffee ingredient. Mr. Jacobson stated he did not want to compete with bars and restaurants in the downtown. Commissioner Krieger asked about the food menu. Mr. Jacobson stated that food such as wraps and panini sandwiches are on the menu. The restaurant closes at 9:00 p.m. each day. Chairman Descoteaux asked about the plan for sidewalk seating. Mr. Jacobson stated the seating area will be located adjacent to the entrance, and will allow the four feet pedestrian walkway License Commission minutes November 8, 2018 page 1 of 3 outside the barrier. Commissioner Howe asked about the servers. Mr. Jacobson stated servers will be T.I.P.S. certified. Chairman Descoteaux opened the hearing for public comment, requesting to hear from anyone who wished to speak in favor of the application. There was no one present to speak in favor; that portion of the hearing was closed. Chairman Descoteaux opened the hearing to anyone who wished to speak in opposition to the application. There was no one present to speak in opposition; that portion of the hearing was closed. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner Krieger, second by Commissioner Howe, voted to grant an all alcoholic beverages restaurant license to Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus Inc., d/b/a Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus, premises at 61 Market Street, Unit 1A, for the calendar year ending December 31, 2018. The Commission voted to approve Andrew Jacobson as manager of record for Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus Inc. The Commission did not find after hearing that the approval of the above license application would be detrimental to the church activities of St. Joseph The Worker Shrine, 37 Lee St., and school activities of Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School, 55 Middle St. The Commission reviewed the application by LD Holdings, LLC, d/b/a Revolution, all alcoholic beverages restaurant licensee at 74 Merrimack St., for change of manager of record to Jeffrey Torres of Hudson, MA. Jeffrey Torres and Lauren DiSalvo of LD Holdings, LLC were present. The Executive Secretary requested the License Commission vote on whether to enter into executive session to comply with, or act under the authority of, MGL Chapter 6 Section 172. At 6:10 p.m., Commissioner Krieger made the motion for roll-call vote on whether to enter executive session to review a record of the proposed new manager. Commissioner Howe seconded the motion. Roll- call vote: Chairman Descoteaux, yes; Commissioner Krieger, yes; Commissioner McCarthy, yes; Commissioner Howe, yes; Commissioner Donahue, yes. The Secretary announced the License Commission will return to regular session upon a roll-call vote. The Commission at 6:15 p.m. on the motion by Commissioner Krieger, second by Commissioner Howe, to return to regular session by roll-call vote: Chairman Descoteaux, yes; Commissioner Krieger, yes; Commissioner McCarthy, yes; Commissioner Howe, yes; Commissioner Donahue, yes. Jeffrey Torres stated his background experience of 21 years as a security consultant primarily at licensed establishments License Commission minutes November 8, 2018 page 2 of 3 for alcohol beverages. Lauren DiSalvo stated that if Mr. Torres is approved as manager, there will be a contract for him to sign. Mr. Torres stated that he would implement a dress code, that the wearing of hats would not be allowed. There will be the catering of events like weddings. Commissioner Donahue asked about T.I.P.S. training, and of Crowd Management. Mr. Torres stated he is certified as a T.I.P.S. server, and for Crowd Management. Ms. DiSalvo stated when asked by Commissioner Donahue that Mr. Torres will be issued a key to the premises. Commissioner Howe asked how Mr. Torres will address underage patrons who attempt to enter the premises. Mr. Torres stated that bartenders will be T.I.P.S. certified, and that security staff will scan for fake IDs but noted that out-of-state IDs will not be accepted because of the means available to the public to duplicate IDs as valid. Chairman Descoteaux asked Ms. DiSalvo if Mr. Torres will have the full run of the staffing, and daily operation. Ms. DiSalvo stated yes. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner McCarthy, second by Commissioner Krieger, voted to approve Jeffrey Torres as manager of record for LD Holdings, LLC, d/b/a Revolution. The Commission reviewed the communication from Charles E. Byrne, d/b/a Bay State Auto, dated as received November 2, 2018, announcing his retirement and voluntary return of used car Dealer license # 391-B. Premises is Rear 418-420 Chelmsford St. On the motion by Commissioner Donahue, second by Commissioner Howe, said communication was ordered to be placed on file. 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 November 8, 2018 page 3 of 3