License Commission

Minutes for the Lowell License Commission meeting for Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 6:00 p.m., held in the City Council Chamber, 2nd floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St., Lowell, MA 01852. Present: Commissioners Clifford Krieger, presiding, Terry McCarthy, Martha Howe and Joseph Donahue; and Captain James Hodgdon of the Lowell Police Department. Absent: John Descoteaux, Commissioner The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner McCarthy, second by Commissioner Donahue, voted to approve meeting minutes for February 13, 2020. The Commission reviewed the applications for special one-day license to sell/dispense malt beverages and wines only, or either one: Ellen Casazza, present, of Curaton 250 Gallery, Mill No. 5, 250 Jackson St., 5th floor, for the following events: XX Artist Reception, Saturday, February 29, 2020, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; E for All Event, Saturday, March 14, 2020, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Vibes Artist Reception, Saturday, April 11, 2020, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Houle/Silver Artist Reception, Saturday, May 30, 2020, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner McCarthy, second by Commissioner Donahue, voted to approve license for Ellen Casazza of Curaton 250. James O'Hearn, present, of Pollard Library Foundation, for Meet the Author Night featuring Jenna Blum, at Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack St., Thursday, April 30, 2020, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner Donahue, second by Commissioner McCarthy, voted to approve license for James O’Hearn of Pollard Library Foundation. Sonia Garcia, present, of St. Patrick Parish, for the St. Patrick Festival, Sunday, March 15, 2020, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at St. Patrick Hall, 282 Suffolk St. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner McCarthy, second by Commissioner Howe, voted to approve license for Sonia Garcia of St. Patrick Parish. License Commission minutes February 27, 2020 page 1 of 3 Rokeya Begum, present, of Shanti Boston LLC, d/b/a Dudley Café, for the Scheidt & Bachmann USA corporate event at 1001 Pawtucket Boulevard, Monday, March 16, 2020, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner McCarthy, second by Commissioner Howe, voted to approve license for Rokeya Begum of Shanti Boston LLC. The Commission reviewed the application for a Charity Wine Pouring License by the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, Inc. (ALSAC) of Memphis, TN, Joe Durkin, Regional Executive Director, for the event “Fitness for a Cure benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital” to be held at Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 East Merrimack St., Saturday, March 14, 2020. Joe Durkin was present. Mr. Durkin stated the event is a fundraiser for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The non-profit organization has received a donation of wine for the event March 14th to be held at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner McCarthy, second by Commissioner Howe, voted to approve the Charity Wine Pouring license for the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, Inc. The application is also subject to approval by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. The Commission reviewed the application by El Jefe Taco Bar, LLC, d/b/a El Jefe Taco Bar, Pedro Aguirre, LLC Manager, for the transfer of the all alcoholic beverages restaurant license from Slesar Bros. Brewing Company, Inc., d/b/a Lowell Beer Works, Joe Slesar, President, for premises at 203 Cabot Street, courtyard - 800 sq. ft., 1st floor - lounge, dining/function rooms, kitchen. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner Donahue, second by Commissioner Howe, voted to ratify the scheduling of the public hearing for the next regular meeting to be held March 12, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. A legal notice is to be published in the Lowell Sun newspaper on February 29, 2020. The Commission reviewed the application by Warp & Weft, LLC, d/b/a Warp & Weft, Craig Faulkner, Manager, all alcoholic beverages restaurant licensee at 197 Market St. for the alteration of licensed premises by adding dining and lounge areas at 189 Market St. Craig Faulkner was present. The License Commission minutes February 27, 2020 page 2 of 3 Commission, on the motion by Commissioner McCarthy, second by Commissioner Howe, voted to ratify the scheduling of the public hearing for the next regular meeting to be held March 12, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. A legal notice is to be published in the Lowell Sun newspaper on February 29, 2020. The applicant is to send legal notice to abutters in accordance with MGL chapter 138, section 15A. The Commission reviewed Sean Gannem email to the Executive Secretary received February 24, 2020 [“decided to give the machines back to lowell Amusement, we no longer need a license to operate”]. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner McCarthy, second by Commissioner Donahue, voted to cancel license approved on February 13, 2020 for four (4) coin operated poker machines to 255 Club Inc., Sean Gannem, Manager, all alcoholic beverages club licensee at 255-265 Chelmsford St. for calendar year 2020. The Commission reviewed the communication from Raymond Kelly Richardson, Superintendent of Police, received February 25, 2020 to John Descoteaux, Chairman, License Commission re: allegations of misconduct charged against 255 Club Inc., Sean Gannem, Manager, all alcoholic beverages club licensee at 255-265 Chelmsford St. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner Howe, second by Commissioner McCarthy, voted to schedule the hearing for Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. The Commission, on the motion by Commissioner McCarthy, second by Commissioner Donahue, voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Ryan Wynn, Executive Secretary, present at meeting. ***** License Commission minutes February 27, 2020 page 3 of 3