License Commission

Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for August 25, 2022 This meeting was held in City Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. on Thursday, August 25, 2022, at 6:00 PM and remotely by Zoom Meeting ID: 874 8964 4327 Passcode: 323544. Video of this meeting is available: https://youtu.be/8honlOzXB24 ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 17:59, members present were, namely: Commission Chair Descoteaux, Commissioner Chhan, Commissioner Howe, and Commissioner Donahue. Commissioner Krieger was absent. MINUTES: 0 Acceptance of the meeting minutes for August 11, 2022.09.08 Commissioner Donahue made a motion to approve and place minutes on file from the Lowell License Commission Meeting of Thursday, August 11, 2022; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 1 Ratification of an application by Sayon Soeun, for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for Live Music that was held Saturday August 20, 2022 from 9AM to 5PM at Sampas Pavilion, 160 Pawtucket Boulevard. Motion made by Commissioner Howe to ratify, seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 2 Request for hearing regarding an application by Joann Gunby, manager of Sneem LLC [d/b/a] Gormley's Cafe, for a new "All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant" license, Common Victualler License, and Entertainment License for premises at 343 Market Street. It is requested that legal notice be published in the local newspaper, and that a public hearing be held on September 15, 2022 at 6:00 PM. Motion made by Commissioner Chhan to hold a public hearing at the September 15, 2022 meeting of the Lowell License Commission, seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 3 Application by Joel Mongeon for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for a Music & Art event on Thursday September 1, 2022 from 6 to 10 PM at Mill No. 5, 250 Jackson Street. Joel Mongeon described his event – a part of the Lowell VIBE Fest series. Commissioner Descoteaux confirmed with the applicant that bartenders would be TIPs certified. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. Page 1 of 3 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for August 25, 2022 4 Application by Sean Gordon for two "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for Concerts on Monday, October 3, and Friday October 7, 2022 from 6 PM to Midnight at Taffeta, 122 Western Avenue. Mr. Gordon described his new business venture with the Commissioners: a small Music Concert venue that would like to offer concert‐goers beer & wine. Mr. Gordon noted the venue plans on obtaining an annual license in the near future. Commissioner Descoteaux requested clarification on the location of the business and TIPs certification: all bartenders and the 3 partners in the business are TIPs certified. Commissioner Howe asked if food would be available, and Mr. Gordon stated that they were talking to their neighbor, Navigation Brewery, about sharing food truck service on concert nights. Commissioner Descoteaux confirmed with Mr. Gordon that security was a priority and that the partners know to call 911 for any incident. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 5 Application by Valessa Marques, for three "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for the following events at iHappy Event, 81 Bridge Street: • Baby Shower, Saturday, September 10, 2022 from Noon to 1 PM. • Graduation Party, Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 1 PM to 1 AM. • Birthday Party, Saturday, October 8, 2022 from 1 PM to 1 AM. At Commissioner Howe’s inquiry, Ms. Marques explained to the Commission that the hours on her applications were incorrect – they had put “max hours” with the events actually being much shorter. Ms. Marques also confirmed that the bartenders and managers at iHappy are TIPs certified. Ms. Marques also explained that iHappy is a function hall that offers catering and that they are working on their annual on‐premises alcohol license. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 6 Application by Julian Lenzi Hospitality Group [d/b/a] Lowell Memorial Auditorium, Robert Julian Manager, for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages and Wines only," outside on Auditorium grounds for the ‘Lowell Irish Festival,’ to be held Saturday, September 17, 2022 from Noon to 10:00 PM at Lowell Memorial Auditorium. Mr. Julian confirmed for the Commission that the event would be similar to the previous two annual Irish Festivals, but geared more for children. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. Page 2 of 3 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for August 25, 2022 7 Application by Jessica Wilson, Mill City Grows, for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for recorded music and speakers at their fundraiser, to be held Friday September 23, 2022 from 6 to 8 PM at the park at Tsongas Arena, 300 Arcand Drive. Ms. Wilson described the fundraiser and anticipates 150 guests on Tsongas Center property. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 8 Application by Maya Shah, Director of GURJAR, the Gujarati Association of New England, for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for the ‘Gurjar India Heritage Festival,’ to be held Saturday, September 10th, 2022 from Noon to 7:00 PM at Sampas Pavilion, 160 Pawtucket Boulevard. Ms. Shah discussed her event with the Commission. She noted this is the fifth year for their annual cultural festival. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 9 Application by Taylor Schlacter, Patriot Care Corp., for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for recorded music and MC for a Lowell Cannabist Block Party, to be held Saturday August 27, 2022 from Noon to 5 PM on the grounds at 70 Industrial Avenue East. Commissioner Descoteaux discussed the details with Mr. Schlacter. Commissioner Donahue asked whether there would be other vendors at the event and Mr. Schlacter confirmed there would be. Move approval by Commissioner Chhan; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 10 Application by Sambath Bo, Clemente Park Committee, for four "Special Events Permits for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for four Movie Nights to be held the following Fridays and Saturdays: September 2 & 3 and September 9 & 10, 2022 from 5 to 9 PM at the basketball courts of Clemente Park, 803 Middlesex Street. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. Page 3 of 3 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for August 25, 2022 11 Application by Jane Long, for "Special Events Permits for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for two events: • VIBE Fest Live Bands, Saturday, September 3, 2022 from 9 AM to 8 PM at Kerouac Park, 49 Bridge St. • Fundraiser Speaking Program and background music, Thursday, September 15, 2022 from 11 AM to 1 PM at Boarding House Park, 40 French St., rain date 9/29. Jane Long confirmed that she was still working on the Permits for the parks, but that they expected to have them before the events. Move approval, on condition of Park Permits, by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 12 Application by Jacob McVey, Spectacle Live, for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for the ‘3rd Annual Lowell Irish Festival,’ to be held on Saturday, September 17th, 2022 from Noon to 11:00 PM at Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 East Merrimack Street. Mr. McVey explained that he was applying for the Amplification for the Irish Festival, for which Mr. Julian had just applied for an alcohol license. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 13 Application for Second Hand Motor Vehicles – Used Car Dealer, Class II, for Speed Motors Inc., Sonia Quinn, President, for premises at 47 Aiken Avenue and 30 Dalton Street, an open lot, approx. 10,300 sq. ft. with 80 sq. ft. office and 2800 sq. ft. garage with 7 bays. Attorney Brian Akashian spoke for the applicants. He explained that Speed Motors would initially be sharing the property with another business (in the garage) but that eventually they would also have the garage. The Commissioners agreed that a provision could be put in the license to include the garage in the premises when it became available, because dealer licenses are issued for exact premises and conditions. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 14 Application by Pina Amato, Owner of The Coffee Mill Emporium, Inc., for a “Common Victualler” license without alcoholic beverage service for premises at 23 Palmer Street. Applicant did not appear before the Commission. ADJOURNMENT: Page 4 of 3 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for August 25, 2022 Commissioner Howe made a motion to adjourn at 18:36, seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 Absent, APPROVED. Submitted by: John Pyers Executive Secretary ✻ Page 5 of 3 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852