License Commission

Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for July 14, 2022 This meeting was held in City Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at 6:00 PM and remotely by Zoom Meeting ID: _865 0447 9732 Passcode: _118032. Video of this meeting is available: https://youtu.be/lcEp1VYBM3Y ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 18:01, members present were, namely: Commissioner Krieger, Commissioner Howe, Commissioner Donahue, and Commissioner Chhan. Commissioner Descoteaux was absent. Commissioner Krieger chaired the session. MINUTES: 0 Acceptance of the meeting minutes for June 23, 2022 Commissioner Howe made a motion to approve and place minutes on file from the Lowell License Commission Meeting of Thursday, June 23, 2022; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 1 Application by Mark Coddaire [d/b/a] Marx Running & Fitness, for a "Sidewalk Stand Permit" for their business at 118 to 122 Merrimack Street, from July 16th to October 30th, 2022. Application includes dates and times for Folk Fest 2022. Mark Coddaire introduced himself and described his business in downtown Lowell, including how he was considering reopening his store on Merrimack (which he has been using for storage for the last 15 years). Mark also spoke about his regular involvement as a vendor at the Lowell Folk Festival and at other Lowell events. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 2 Application by Pina Amato, owner of the Coffee Mill Emporium, for a "Sidewalk Stand Permit" for their business at 23 Palmer Street, for Folk Fest, July 29 & 30, 2022. Pina Amato introduced herself and explained what she planned on having during the Folk Festival. Ms. Amato mentioned that she is the new owner of the Coffee Mill, and this will be her first Sidewalk stand, as well as her first Folk Festival. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. Page 1 of 5 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for July 14, 2022 3 Applications by James Lichoulas for two "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for two live music events: Friday July 22 and Wednesday August 17, 2022 from 7 to 11 PM at Mill No. 5, 250 Jackson Street. James Lichoulas introduced himself and spoke about his events. Commissioner Donahue asked Mr. Lichoulas about the space he was going to use, and he described a newly constructed area near his other two businesses, Coffee & Cotton and The Luna Theater. Commissioner Howe asked if he had held this license before, and he had. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 4 Application by Abila Benazea for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for a Celebration of Life on Saturday July 23, 2022 from 6 to 11 PM at Hellenic American Academy, 41 Broadway Street. Abila Benazea was present. He described his event and noted that he held a similar event last year. He anticipates one hundred guests. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 5 Application by Steve Syverson, for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Wines only," for the ‘Walter Wright Digital Media’ artist reception, to be held on Saturday July 16th, 2022 at the ALL Arts Gallery, 307 Market Street. Mr. Syverson was unable to attend the meeting, so his assistant, Normand Caron, was present. Commissioner Krieger and Mr. Caron discussed the many, many licenses that ALL Arts Gallery has held over the years. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 6 Applications by Nicole Comtois, manager of TreMonte, for 3 "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for additional outdoor seating at Folk Fest. 11:30 AM to 12 AM on July 29, 30, 31, 2022, 44 Palmer Street. Nicole Comtois was present on Zoom. The Commission recognized that TreMonte has held this license during Folk Fest for several years, and that they have an annual license for their premises. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. Page 2 of 5 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for July 14, 2022 7 Applications by Scott Pelletier, owner of Fuse Bistro, for 3 "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for additional outdoor seating at Folk Fest: July 29 4PM to 2AM, 30th Noon to 2AM, and 31 11:30AM to 8PM at 45 Palmer Street. Scott Pelletier was present; he described Fuse Bistro’s plan to extend their patio during Folk Fest. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 8 Applications by Joann Gunby, owner of Gormley's Cafe, for 3 "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" during Folk Fest: July 29, 30, 31, 2022, from 10 AM to 4 PM on‐premises at 343 Market Street. Joanne Gunby was present. She described her plans for Folk Fest, and noted that she has held this license during Folk Fest in the past. Commissioner Donahue asked if she was TIPs Certified, to which she replied ‘yes.’ Commissioner Krieger asked if she was aware she had to purchase alcohol from Massachusetts authorized distributors, and she was aware. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 9 Applications by Penny Hamourgas, owner of Worthen House, for 2 "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" and "Special Events Permits for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for both their patio and an additional outdoor seating area for Folk Fest: July 29, 30, 31, 2022 at 141 Worthen Street. Penny Hamourgas was present. She reminded the Commission that four of her five license applications were for her parking lot at 152 Worthen St. She reminded the Commission that she’s done this for many years. Move approval by Commissioner Chhan; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 10 Applications by Robin Dupell, Cobblestones Restaurant, for 3 "Special Events Permits for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for Live Music during the 2022 Lowell Folk Festival, to be held on July 29, 30, 31, 2022 at the dead end outside Cobblestones, 91 Dutton Street. Robin Dupell introduced herself and affirmed that her plans for Folk Fest were the same as in previous years. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. Page 3 of 5 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for July 14, 2022 11 Application by Joe Carreiro, El Potro Mexican Grill, for an "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for Live Music to be held Saturday July 30, 2022 from 7 to 10 PM at 124 Merrimack Street. Joe Carreiro was present. Commissioner Krieger asked about his plans for Folk Fest. Mr. Carreiro described the Latin rhythms band that would be performing, and noted that they had performed at three previous Folk Festivals. Move approval by Commissioner Chhan; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 12 Application by Richard Anctil for an "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for an outdoor movie night to be held Friday July 15, 2022 from 7 to 10:30 PM on the Renaissance on the River greenspace, 52 Lawrence Drive. Mr. Anctil was in surgery; his cohort, Suzzanne Cromwell was present in his place. After introducing herself, Ms. Cromwell described the movie, the audience, and the plans for this movie night at the park. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 13 Application by Solimar Berrios for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for an outdoor movie night to be held Saturday August 6, 2022 from 8 to 10:30 PM at the Enterprise Bank parking lot, 155‐173 Middle Street. Suzzanne Cromwell also presented for Ms. Berrios, her co‐worker at Mill City Grows. She explained the event, sponsored by Enterprise Bank and Mill City Grows, as an anti‐gun violence family night in downtown Lowell. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 14 Ratification of application by Denise Brito for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for a youth‐led church service held Friday July 8, 2022 from 6 to 9 PM at the Fifth Street Baptist Church. Also: Application by Denise Brito for an "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for a children's church service to be held Saturday August 6, 2022 from 3 to 7 PM on Church grounds at the Fifth Street Baptist Church, 28 W 5th Street. Commissioner Donahue asked Ms. Brito about the Church’s location. Move to ratify the first and approve the second by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Page 4 of 5 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for July 14, 2022 Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 15 Communication from Barry Golner, Interim Superintendent of Police, dated June 24, 2022, regarding allegations of misconduct charged against The Middle Street Village, d/b/a The Village Smokehouse, 92‐98 Middle Street, Alan Kaplan, License Manager, all alcoholic beverages restaurant licensee. Allegations of misconduct occurred Sunday May 22, 2022, and are namely: 1) failure to maintain order in the premises and surrounding areas and 2) failure to promptly notify Lowell Police of an ongoing incident involving a firearm. Move approval to schedule hearing for License Commission meeting on August 11, 2022 by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Howe made a motion to adjourn at 18:27:53; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. Submitted by: John Pyers Executive Secretary ✻ Page 5 of 5 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852