License Commission

Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for June 23, 2022 This meeting was held in City Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. on Wednesday, June 23, 2022, at 6:00 PM and remotely by Zoom Meeting ID: _862 8560 3761 Passcode: _440537. Video of this meeting is available: https://youtu.be/‐uoUP4j5GWc 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 June 9, 2022. Commissioner Howe made a motion to place corrected minutes on file from the Lowell License Commission Meeting of Thursday, May 19, 2022; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 1. Application for a Common Victualler's License and Petition to temporarily amend Fire Fighters Association Inc.'s All Alcohol license to include a City Council approved outdoor seating area at their premises, 362 Fletcher Street. William Desrosiers, president of the local Firefighters’ Association appeared before the Commission. All paperwork was in order. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 2. Application for Second Hand Motor Vehicles – Used Car Dealer, Class II, for Prime Motors Corporation, Fernando Guimaraes, for premises at 886 Middlesex Street, an open lot, approx. 7,700 sq. ft. with office and garage approx. 576 sq. ft. Fernando Guimaraes and Michael Souza were present. They explained that they were doing so well with their first used car dealership that they are ready to open another, larger dealership. Commissioner Donahue asked them to talk about the new location, and they explained that the new location had room for more cars and a garage for service. They also discussed inventory. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. Page 1 of 4 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for June 23, 2022 3. Applications by Corey Belanger for 8 "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" on festival grounds at the 2022 Lowell Folk Festival, to be held on July 29, 30, 31, 2022.  Dance Pavilion at Arcand Drive: 7/29 6‐10PM; 7/30 12‐10PM; 7/31 12‐6PM.  Boarding House Park: 7/29 6‐10:30PM; 7/30 12‐10:30PM; 7/31 12‐6PM.  Market Street Stage: 7/30 & 7/31 12‐7PM. Corey Belanger has been the beverage manager for the Folk Festival for several years. Mr. Belanger discussed the change of locations this year and how it’s affecting the beverage service. The Commission recognized Mr. Belanger’s successful history of managing this aspect of the Folk Festival. Move approval by Commissioner Chhan; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 4. Applications by Kevin Dwyer, Lowell Festival Foundation, for 4 "Special Events Permits for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for the 2022 Lowell Folk Festival, to be held on July 29, 30, 31, 2022.  Boarding House Park, St. Anne’s churchyard, Arcand Drive, & Market Street.  7/28 Sound Check; 7/29 7‐10:30PM; 7/30 12‐10:30PM; 7/31 12‐6PM. Kevin Dwyer was present. Mr. Dwyer described the locations for the three live entertainment stages. Commissioner Descoteaux inquired about permits, which haven’t been produced yet. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 5. Application by Jacqueline Pelletier for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for an Independence Day Celebration on Saturday July 2, 2022 from 5 to 9AM at LeLacheur Park, 450 Aiken Ave. Jaqueline Pelletier was present for Fuse Bistro. The Commission found her application to be clear and concise. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 6. Application by Samuel Njenga for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for a Kenyan Cultural Event on Saturday July 2, 2022 from 9PM to 1AM at the Hellenic American Academy, 41 Broadway Street. Samuel Njenga was present – he explained that this is the second year in a row he’s holding this Kenyan cultural event at the Hellenic American Academy, and that he expects 2‐300 attendees over Page 2 of 4 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for June 23, 2022 the course of the night. Mr. Njenga is a partner in the Acre Pub in Lowell. He stated that he has TIPs certified bartenders from the bar serving at this event. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 7. Application by Celestine Fondungallah for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for an Anniversary Celebration on Saturday July 16, 2022 from 5PM to 2AM at the Hellenic American Academy, 41 Broadway Street. Mr. Fondungallah spoke about his event – a celebration of his mother‐in‐law, who is in her 90s. He explained that they expected about 150 attendees over the course of the night and planned on two bartenders, including himself. When asked if he were TIPs certified, he said “no, but he would be.” . Move approval by Commissioner Chhan; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 8. Application by George Foryoung for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for an Annual Convention on Saturday July 9, 2022 from 7PM to 11PM at the Hellenic American Academy, 41 Broadway Street. George Foryoung explained that he was anticipating about 150 attendees over the course of the night and that he planned on having 2 or 3 bartenders, both TIPs certified. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 9. 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. Wirawat Tonfa and Annie Sann were present. They described their new business – a Hot Pot restaurant, the second in the City of Lowell, with a small bar/dining room on the first floor and a function hall on the second floor. The Commissioners asked about their roles in the business and various details like occupancy for the location. Mr. Tonfa and Mrs. Sann confirmed that they were in the process of TIPs certification and promised that their bartenders would also be TIPs certified. At the hearing, no one spoke in favor or opposition to the application for a transfer of license. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 absent, Page 3 of 4 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for June 23, 2022 APPROVED. 10. 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. JoAnn Perry was present. Ms. Perry spoke about her business plan and how she envisioned her business changing as a result of adding alcohol service to her already well‐established restaurant. She explained that she used to be a bartender and that she was certified. She talked about the limited drink menu she was planning on having and how she didn’t want her restaurant to be anything other than a comfortable, family restaurant and lunch spot. At the hearing, no one spoke in favor or opposition to the application for a transfer of license. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Chhan made a motion to adjourn at 18:26:15; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. Submitted by: John Pyers Executive Secretary ✻ Page 4 of 4 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852