License Commission

Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for June 9, 2022 This meeting was held in City Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. on Wednesday, June 9, 2022, at 6:00 PM and remotely by Zoom Meeting ID: _898 5655 6338 Passcode: _408232. Video of this meeting is available: https://youtu.be/dm6nX6fWElA ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 18:00, members present were, namely: Chairman Descoteaux, Commissioner Howe, Commissioner Donahue, and Commissioner Chhan. Commissioner Krieger was absent. MINUTES: 0. Acceptance of meeting minutes for May 19, 2022. Commissioner Donahue made a motion to place corrected minutes on file from the Lowell License Commission Meeting of Thursday, May 19, 2022; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 3. Application by Elizabeth Candido for a seasonal "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for a ‘Holy Ghost Society Summer Series of Live Music,’ to be held Saturdays until Midnight, Sundays until 10 PM, and some holiday Mondays until 10 PM, from May 28 through October 31, 2022, on Holy Ghost Society property, 65 Village Street. Commissioner Descoteaux noted that Liz Candido and Holy Ghost Society have been doing summer music for several years, which Mrs. Candido confirmed. Commissioner Descoteaux also reviewed the amplification hours and also reminded Mrs. Candido that the Holy Ghost Society needs to keep the noise level down between 10 PM and 12 Midnight because of the neighborhood. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 1. Application by Frank (Francisco) Candido of 4 McGrath Road, Pelham NH for a Hawker & Peddler ‐ Fishmonger license. Mr. Candido described his business plan for being a Fishmonger. He’ll be selling raw fish from a food truck in the “Silva’s Market” parking lot. He noted that the previous two Fishmongers retired a year ago, during the Covid‐19 closures. 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 | Meeting Minutes for June 9, 2022 2. Applications by Gregory Cafua, GL Donuts LLC dba Dunkin Donuts, for Common Victualler licenses for eight locations throughout Lowell: 295 Varnum Ave., 980 Chelmsford St., 1505 Middlesex St., 560 Bridge St., 182 Riverside St., 515 Pawtucket Blvd., 1081 Gorham St., and 443 Chelmsford St. Katia Parsons, District Manager, will represent GL Donuts. Katia Parsons was present. At Commissioner Howe’s request, she reviewed GL Donuts’ takeover of eight area Dunkin Donuts that had been locally, family owned until the end of last year. At Commissioner Descoteaux’s request, Ms. Parsons reviewed the improvements GL Donuts is doing on the properties, landscape, and how they anticipate impacting the City of Lowell’s curb appeal, as well as increasing employment. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 4. Application by Carrie Randall for a seasonal "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for the ‘Lowell Summer Music Series,’ to be held on some Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays until 11 PM, and some Sundays until 10 PM, from June 18 through September 3, 2022, at Boarding House Park, 40 French Street. Peter Aucella, General Manager of Lowell Summer Music Series, presented the application because Carrie Randall was unwell. Mr. Aucella touched on his 32 years as GM and 32 years of applying for this amplification permit for the Summer Series. At Commissioner Descoteaux’s request, he summarized how his role has changed, and then went into specifics about this summer’s schedule of events. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 5. Application by Christa Brown, Free Soil Arts Collective, for an "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for a ‘Juneteenth Celebration,’ to be held Sunday, June 19, 2022 from 11:00 to 5:00 on Market Street between Shattuck & Palmer streets. Christa Brown was present, and requested the permit be amended to start at 10 AM for a sound check. Ms. Brown reviewed the plans for the Juneteenth event, including the space and the performers. Commissioner Descoteaux asked if permits were in place, to which Secretary Pyers and Ms. Brown both confirmed they were. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 6. Application by Ashley Roper, for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Wines only," for a Student Activity Scholarship Event, being held on Thursday, June 16, 2022 from 4 to 8 PM at Allen House, 1 Solomont Way. Ms. Roper reviewed her event and the security planned. Page 2 of 4 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for June 9, 2022 Move approval by Commissioner Chhan; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 7. Applications by Melinda Silva for 3 "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for the Sao Joao Feast. Event to be held between Noon and 10 PM on June 24, 25, 26, 2022 at the Portuguese American Lowell Youth Center, 739 Central Street. Melinda Silva and Marta Rodrigues attended. After graciously correcting Secretary Pyers’ pronunciation of “Sao Joao,” Ms. Silva reviewed the traditional Portuguese event and how the community planned on celebrating. Ms. Rodrigues reviewed the anticipated attendance (#125) and bartenders (2) as well as their qualifications. Commissioner Howe asked how they’ll enforce the age limit on alcohol consumption, to which Ms. Rodrigues explained that everyone would be carded – and that the expectation was there would be few youth in attendance. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 8. Application by Christopher Nkemateh for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for a Wedding on Friday June 24, 2022 from 11 AM to 11PM at the Hellenic American Academy, 41 Broadway Street. Mr. Nkemateh discussed his event – a wedding for his younger sister that would have about 200 in attendance and four TIPs Certified bartenders. At Commissioner Donahue’s request, Mr. Nkemateh clarified that the event would go from 7 PM to 11 PM, contrary to his application. Move approval by Commissioner Chhan; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 9. Two applications for immediate consideration and one request for a hearing: A. Application by Annie Sann, Owner of Mekala LLC, [d/b/a] Wee Thai Food, for a “Common Victualler” license without alcoholic beverage service for premises at 249 Chelmsford Street. B. Application by Annie Sann, Manager of A&W Group LLC [d/b/a] Shabu Shack for a “Common Victualler” license for premises at 255 Chelmsford Street. Annie Sann discussed the locations, menus and occupancy of the two restaurants. She also explained that Wee Thai Food has been open for a few years without a Common Victualler License because she was not aware it was necessary. Ms. Sann further explained that Shabu Shack would have a bar on the first floor and a function room on the second floor. They are applying for their alcohol license for Shabu Shack, but would like to open as soon as possible as a restaurant. C. Request for hearing regarding the application by A&W Group LLC [d/b/a] Shabu Shack, Wirawat Tonfa, proposed License Manager, for a new "All Alcoholic Beverages restaurant" license, for premises at 255 Chelmsford Street. It is requested that legal notice be published in the local newspaper, and that a public hearing be held on June 23, 2022 at 6:00 PM. Page 3 of 4 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for June 9, 2022 Move to approve Common Victualler licenses for the two restaurants on condition of Food Permit, by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED Motion to hold a hearing on the alcoholic beverage application at the June 23, 2022 Meeting of the Lowell License Commission by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 10. Request for hearing regarding the application by JoAnn Perry [d/b/a] Hunter's Café, JoAnn Perry, proposed License Manager, for a new "All Alcoholic Beverages restaurant" license, for premises at 194 Stedman Street. It is requested that legal notice be published in the local newspaper, and that a public hearing be held on June 23, 2022 at 6:00 PM. JoAnn Perry introduced herself and gave a brief overview of her experience as a restauranteur and in managing alcohol service. Hunter’s Café has been owned and operated for five years without a Common Victualler License. Ms. Perry was not aware of the requirement until she applied for her alcohol license. Motion to hold a hearing on this application at the June 23, 2022 Meeting of the Lowell License Commission by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas, APPROVED. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Chhan made a motion to adjourn at 18:26:15; 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