License Commission

Lowell License Commission | Regular Meeting Minutes for July 15, 2021 Date: July 15, 2021 Time: 6:00 PM Location: This meeting is being held place in the City Council Chamber, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at 6:00 PM and remotely by Zoom: Meeting ID: 839 8945 9143 Passcode: 403262. ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 6:01 PM, members present were, namely: Chairman Descoteaux, Commissioner Donahue, Commissioner Howe, and Commissioner Krieger. MINUTES: 0. Acceptance of meeting minutes for June 24, 2021. Commissioner Krieger made a motion to place on file the minutes from the Lowell License Commission Meeting of Thursday, June 24, 2021; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 1. Ratification of application by Kevin Duggin for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Wines only" for a ‘Gallery Opening featuring Pastels and Wood Carving’ at Appleton Mills Gallery, 219 Jackson Street, on July 10, 2021, 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 2. Application by the Lowell Festival Foundation, Kevin Dwyer Executive Director, for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for the ‘Lowell Summer Music Series – 16 Outdoor Concerts,’ to be held on some Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between July 30th and September 17th, 2021 from 7:30 to 11:00 PM at Boarding House Park, 40 French Street. Peter Aucella, the general manager for the “Lowell Summer Music Series,” spoke for Kevin Dwyer. Peter detailed this seasons’ setup and how they’re addressing Covid‐19 concerns with shorter & smaller shows, and a shorter season. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, APPROVED. Page 1 of 4 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Regular Meeting Minutes for July 15, 2021 3. Application by the Athenian Corner Restaurant, Teddy Panagiotopoulos Owner, for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for ‘Outdoor Music Performances,’ to be held between July 22nd and July 25th, 2021 from 6:00 to 10:00 PM at the Athenian Corner Restaurant, 207 Market Street. Teddy Panagiotopoulos (“Panos”) attended via Zoom. Mr. Panos discussed having some outdoor music to make the weekend festive since everyone would be missing the Folk Festival this year. He anticipates the nights will end around 10 and be well received, as they have been in the past. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 4. Application by Good Times Series, Jake Dodge Race Director, for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for the ‘Good Times 5K Series,’ to be held on Tuesdays between July 20th and September 7th, 2021 from 7:00 to 11:00 PM on the Lowell Riverwalk. Jake Dodge attended via Zoom, with his new infant. Mr. Dodge let the Commission know that the music would actually wrap up by 8:30 PM every Tuesday. Commissioner Krieger asked where the music would be; Mr. Dodge clarified that the music would be at the end of the 5K, behind the Tsongas Arena, near the Riverwalk. Commissioner Descoteaux asked if he would be running with the baby; Mr. Dodge said that he would not run with the baby. Move approval conditional on remaining paperwork by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 5. Application by Worthen House Café Inc., Penny Hamourgas Owner, for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for the ‘Summer Jams Series,’ to be held Thursday‐Sunday evenings every week between July 16th and September 25th, 2021 at the Worthen House Streeterie & Reality Alley, 141 Worthen Street. Penny Hamourgas spoke for Worthen House: she described their plans for acoustic music, just in their Streeterie (street outdoor dining area). Penny confirmed for Commissioner Descoteaux that amplification would end at 10PM on Thursdays and Sundays, and 11PM on Saturdays and Fridays. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. Page 2 of 4 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Regular Meeting Minutes for July 15, 2021 6. Application by Max Cellular MA, LLC [d/b/a] Boost Mobile, Karina Conti Owner, for a "Sidewalk Stand Permit" to promote their new location at 104 Merrimack Street, afternoons from July 15th to October 30th, 2021. Johnathan Lacerda, manager of Max Cellular, spoke for Karina Conti. Commissioner Howe requested details about the proposed location for the sidewalk stand. Mr. Lacerda confirmed that the stand would be on the sidewalk in front of the shop, and would leave plenty of room for pedestrian traffic. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 7. Application by SAPT LLC [d/b/a] Lowell Liquors, Sachin Patel, Manager, all alcoholic beverages package store licensee at 638 Rogers Street, for a ‘change of officers and ownership interest.’ It is requested that legal notice be published in local newspaper, and public hearing to be held on August 12, 2021. Motion by Commissioner Howe for a hearing on July 15, 2021, seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 8. Hearing continued on the application by Shreya and Saloni Corporation [d/b/a] Mill City Convenience, Jovanny Diaz, Manager, for ‘transfer of a wines and malt beverages package store license’ for premises at 494 Westford Street. Attorney Kevin Murphy spoke in favor of Shreya and Saloni Corporation dba Mill City Convenience. Atty. Murphy spoke at length, addressing the location of the proposed alcoholic beverage licensee – in relation to similar businesses, the attributes of the site, and the benefits to the Upper Highlands part of the City of Lowell. Commissioners discussed their review of a map of all licensed package stores in the City of Lowell. Rollcall resumed on the motion to grant the license: Commissioner Donahue – Yes; Commissioner Howe – Yes; Commissioner Descoteaux – Yes; Commissioner Krieger ‐ Yes. 4 yeas, MOTION CARRIES. 9. Public hearing on the application by Be Ekantik Corporation [d/b/a] Village Variety, Pravin Patel, Manager, for ‘transfer of a wines and malt beverages package store license’ for premises at 1301 Pawtucket Boulevard. Pankaj K Desai, Navin S Patel, and Sagar Shah spoke in favor of the applicants and attested to their good character and experience in operating a similar business, as well as their connection to the community. No one spoke in opposition to the application at the public hearing. Page 3 of 4 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Regular Meeting Minutes for July 15, 2021 Move approval conditional on remaining paperwork by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 10. Public hearing on the application by Outback Steakhouse of Florida, LLC, Christopher Meyer, LLC Manager, all alcoholic beverages restaurant licensee at 28 Reiss Avenue, for ‘a change of officers.’ Attorney Elizabeth Episano on behalf of Attorney Joe Devlin for Outback Steakhouse. Atty. Episano stated that there were no operational changes to the restaurant, just a change in LLC managers. She also reminded the Commission that preliminary approval had been received by the ABCC via the “inverted approval process.” Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, APPROVED. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Krieger made a motion to adjourn at 6:28 PM; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. Submitted by: John Pyers Executive Secretary Page 4 of 4 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852