License Commission

Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for October 20, 2022 This meeting was held in City Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 6:00 PM and remotely by Zoom: Meeting ID: 863 9705 3401 Passcode: 885050. Video of this meeting is available: https://youtu.be/vCtKe8uxEjE ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 17:59, members present were, namely: Commission Chair Descoteaux, Commissioner Krieger, Commissioner Howe, and Commissioner Chhan; Commissioner Donahue was absent. MINUTES: 0 Acceptance of the meeting minutes for September 29, 2022 Commissioner Krieger made a motion to approve and place minutes on file from the Lowell License Commission Meeting of Thursday, August 11, 2022; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 1 Communication from Barry Golner, Superintendent of Police, dated October 13, 2022, regarding allegations of misconduct charged against Cafeto Corp., d/b/a Cafeto Restaurant, 1018 Gorham Street, Karolina Cermeno‐Upegui, License Manager, all alcoholic beverages restaurant licensee. Allegations of misconduct occurred October 7, 2022 and are namely: 1) failure to maintain order in the premises and surrounding areas and 2) serving alcohol to intoxicated patrons. 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. 2 Application by Sean Gordon, Manager, Spiderloom Productions, [d/b/a] Taffeta, 122 Western Avenue for five "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Wines and Malt Beverages only" for the following concert dates: October 29th, 2022 Concert from 6 PM to 1 AM. November 4, 10, 11, 12, 18, 19, and December 3, 16, 17, 2022 from 5PM to Midnight. Sean Gordon was present. Mr. Gordon explained that his company is almost ready to submit an application for annual license. In the meantime, they have these events. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 3 Application by Valessa Marques, for four "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for the following events at iHappy Event, 81 Bridge Street: • Birthday Party on Saturday, November 12, 2022 from 4 to 11 PM. • Birthday Party on Saturday, November 26, 2022 from 6 PM to 1 AM. • Birthday Party on Saturday December 3, 2022 from 6 PM to 1 AM. • Baby Shower on Sunday December 4, 2022 from 4 to 11 PM. • Birthday Party on Saturday, December 17, 2022 from 6 PM to 1 AM. • Birthday Party on Saturday, January 21, 2022 from 6 PM to 1:30 AM. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 1 of 3 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for October 20, 2022 Valessa Marques was present. Ms. Marques reiterated that iHappy is still working on their annual license application, and that she hoped these one‐day licenses would hold them over. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 4 Application by Bonnie Kinnal for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for a LGH Diwali Celebration on Friday November 4th, 2022 from 6 to 10 PM at UTEC, 35 Warren Street. Ms. Bonnie Kinnal discussed her event, which normally takes place on LGH grounds. She explained that it was a small event and that two TIPs certified bartenders would dispense the alcohol. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 5 Application by Joel Mongeon for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for an Art & Music Event on Saturday October 29, 2022 from 6:30 to 10:30 PM at Mill No. 5, 250 Jackson Street. Joel Mongeon confirmed he has held this license several times in the last couple of months, and that he understood his responsibilities. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 6 Application by Jeff Beauvil for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for a Halloween Party on Monday October 31st, 2022 from 9 PM to 1 AM at 181 Central Street. Jeff Beauvil was not present at the meeting. 7 Application by Patrick Fitzgibbons, Aramark, for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for Aiken Street Bridge Lighting on Saturday October 22nd, 2022 from 5 to 8 PM at Hoff Center, 1 Perkins Street. Patrick Fitzgibbons reviewed his event in detail, as well as the name of the Aiken Street / Ouellette Bridge. Move approval by Commissioner Chhan; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 8 Public hearing on the application by Sonesta International Hotels Corp. [d/b/a] Sonesta Select Boston Lowell, Cristal Bonaiuto, proposed license manager, all alcoholic beverages hotel licensee, for a ‘change of manager,’ for premises at 30 Industrial Avenue East. Cristal Bonaiuto spoke for Sonesta hotels. She reviewed her work experience and TIPs Certification for her and her employees. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 2 of 3 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for October 20, 2022 At the hearing, no one spoke in favor or opposition to the application to change the license manager. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 9 Public hearing regarding an application to transfer an All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant license from Q & Q Restaurant Inc. to He Ding, Inc. [d/b/a] China Buffet, Quiong Lin, proposed license manager, for premises at 199 Plain Street. Attorney Chris Coleman spoke for the applicant and license manager. He reviewed the business’s history and the license manager’s history at China Buffet. At the hearing, no one spoke in favor or opposition to the application to transfer the license. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. 10 Public hearing regarding an application to amend an All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant license for Bonchon Restaurant, 1075 Westford Street. Filed amendments include change of corporate structure, officers, and ownership interest. Mr. Victor Vang, license manager of Bonchon Restaurant spoke for the company and reviewed the requested amendments to his license. At the hearing, no one spoke in favor or opposition to the application to amend their license. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Krieger made a motion to adjourn at 18:14, seconded by Commissioner Chhan. 4 yeas 1 absent, APPROVED. Submitted by: John Pyers Executive Secretary ✻ City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 3 of 3