License Commission

Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for September 15, 2022 This meeting was held in City Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. on Thursday, September 15, 2022, at 6:00 PM and remotely by Zoom Meeting ID: 816 3289 4002 Passcode: 620056. Video of this meeting is available: https://youtu.be/iQlDRXJCV0Q ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 18:02, members present were, namely: Commission Chair Descoteaux, Commissioner Krieger, Commissioner Howe, Commissioner Donahue, and Commissioner Chhan. MINUTES: 0 Acceptance of the meeting minutes for August 25, 2022. Commissioner Donahue made a motion to approve and place minutes on file from the Lowell License Commission Meeting of Thursday, August 25, 2022; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 1 Application by Peter Crewe, City of Lowell Director of Cultural Events, for a seasonal "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for live and recorded music and speakers at CASE sponsored events being held in JFK Plaza, 50 Arcand Drive. Commissioner Descoteaux confirmed that this is a blanket permit for CASE events. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 2 Ratification of an application by Patricia Coffey, for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for Live Music that was held Thursday September 8, 2022 from 4 to 6PM at JFK Plaza, 50 Arcand Drive. Ms. Coffey did not appear before the board. Move approval by Commissioner Chhan; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 5 yeas, APPROVED. Page 1 of 5 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for September 15, 2022 3 Ratification of the application by Steve Syverson, for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Wines only," for the ‘Print Making: From Silly Putty to SilkScreen’ artist reception, held on September 10th, 2022. New applications by Steve Syverson, for three "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Wines only." The first is an artist reception for David Martsolf, to be held on October 1st, 2022. The second is for the an artist reception for Geoff Koetsch, to be held on October 22nd, 2022. The third is for the ‘Creative Grifting’ artist reception, to be held on December 10th, 2022. All events are from 3 to 5 PM at the ALL Arts Gallery, 307 Market Street. Steve Syverson spoke about his last three events of the year and the artists presenting at his gallery. Motion made by Commissioner Howe to ratify the past event; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 5 yeas, APPROVED. Move approval of the 3 new applications by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 4 Applications by Eve Foldan, Tim Sheils, David Henderson, and John Dyson, for Merrimack Repertory Theatre for "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages and Wines only," for nineteen performances of "The 39 Steps," twenty‐three performances of "Macbeth," nineteen performances of "A Christmas Carol," nineteen performances of "Letters From Home," fifteen performances of "Red Riding Hood," and nineteen performances of "How High the Moon: The Music of Ella Fitzgerald" at Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 East Merrimack Street. David Henderson was present to represent MRT. Commissioner Descoteaux asked about the alcohol service and management of alcohol at the MRT. Mr. Henderson noted that this season is the first one offering concessions since 2019 due to Covid‐19. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 5 Application by Thomas Fiorelli, for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Wines only," for the ‘Images of Middle Street’ artist reception, to be held on October 1st, 2022 at the Ayer Lofts Gallery, 172 Middle Street. Thomas Fiorelli was present. He confirmed for Commissioner Descoteaux that he has held the One‐Day Special License to serve gallery wine in the past. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 5 yeas, APPROVED Page 2 of 5 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for September 15, 2022 6 Applications by Aramark, Patrick Fitzgibbons Manager, for two "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Wines and Malt Beverages only." The first is for a UML Pre‐Law Mock Trial to be held on September 22nd, 2022 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Lydon Library, 84 University Avenue. The second is for an "Emerging Scholars" program on September 29th, 2022 from 4:00 to 6:00PM at Coburn Hall, 850 Broadway Street. Patrick Fitzgibbons was present and described the pair of short events and the attendees. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 5 yeas, APPROVED 7 Applications by Anne Thompson for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Wines and Malt Beverages only," and for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for their wedding party to be held on October 23rd, 2022 from 4 to 10PM at Shedd Park Pavilion, 453 Rogers Street. Anne Thompson spoke of her wedding party plans and noted that she has one TIPs certified bartender lined up for an expected crowd of 40 to 60 invitees. Commissioner Howe commented that was exactly what she needed to know. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 5 yeas, APPROVED 8 Application by Rosa Segarra‐Morales for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for a Hispanic Heritage Celebration Month Fundraiser on September 24th, 2022 from 6 to 10 PM at United Teen Equality Center, 35 Warren Street. Rosa Morales, from Lowell Public Schools, spoke about her non‐profit’s upcoming fundraiser. She noted that she had 3 TIPs certified bartenders serving at the event, which would have about 200 guests. Move approval by Commissioner Chhan; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 9 Application for an "Annual Public Amusement License for Concerts" by Sean Gordon, Manager, Spiderloom Productions, [d/b/a] Taffeta, 122 Western Ave.; also Applications for five "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Wines and Malt Beverages only" for the following concert dates: October 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29, 2022 from 6PM to Midnight. The 3 owners of Spiderloom Productions appeared before the Commission: Matt Wishnack, Sean Gordon, and Zack LeWinter. Mr. Wishnack spoke for the team. He described the business model they are pursuing, as well as the format of each concert and service they intend to provide. He further explained that, in addition to two certified bartenders, all three owners are TIPs certified. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 5 yeas, APPROVED. Page 3 of 5 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for September 15, 2022 10 Application by Juan Mendez, Iglesia De Dios La Benedicion, for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for live music and speakers at their "1+ For Christ" event, to be held September 17th, 2022 from 9AM to 1 PM at Armory Park, 50 Westford Street. Ludwig Mendez spoke for his father, Juan Mendez. They described this – first – event for the new church, and how they hope to extend a helping hand to the community. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 11 Hearing regarding the application by Joann Gunby, manager of Sneem LLC [d/b/a] Gormley's Cafe, for a new annual "All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant" license for premises at 343 Market Street. Joann Gunby appeared before the Commission. Commissioner Descoteaux asked about her employee’s alcohol service experience and certifications – she explained that she and her manager both are TIPs certified and all her employees are in the process of certification. Commissioner Howe asked if the restaurant – typically only open for breakfast and lunch – would be extending their operations to include dinner; to which Ms. Gunby replied that they did not intend to serve dinner or be open in the evening, they simply want to offer a moderate selection of brunch and lunch drinks. At the hearing, no one spoke in favor or opposition to the application for a new license. Move approval by Commissioner Chhan; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 12 Hearing to amend the "All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant" license by Evangelos Kretikos, manager of Boston Tonight LLC [d/b/a] Trend, for Change of LLC Managers, Change of Ownership Interest, and Change of License Manager at 15,19‐25 Merrimack St. Attorney Amanda Flores spoke for Boston Tonight LLC. She reviewed the application and the changes the company was going through, which center on personnel changes. She reviewed the ownership interest changes with the Commission. Commissioner Howe noted that Mr. Evan Kretikos is TIPs certified, ServSafe certified, and Crowd Management certified. Mr. Kretikos spoke to the Commission to confirm that the business model wasn’t changing. At the hearing, no one spoke in favor or opposition to the application for a new license. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 5 yeas, APPROVED. Page 4 of 5 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for September 15, 2022 13 Request for hearing regarding the ramifications on the failure of Hue Gallery, 103 Market Street, to provide proof of insurance as required by Massachusetts General Law Title XX, Chapter 38, Section 12. Commission Chair Descoteaux asked Mr. Pyers to review the situation to date, which he did: Mr. Jumpp of Hue Gallery has not provided valid proof of current Liquor Liability Insurance, a requirement of the ABCC as well as local City of Lowell Alcoholic Beverages Regulations. The Commission agreed unanimously to hold a public hearing at the September 29, 2022 meeting of the Lowell License Commission. 5 yeas, 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. After a brief reintroduction, Ms. Amato spoke before the board about her shop. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 5 yeas, APPROVED. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Krieger made a motion to adjourn at 18:29, seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 5 yeas, APPROVED. Submitted by: John Pyers Executive Secretary ✻ Page 5 of 5 City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852