License Commission

Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2023.06.22 This meeting was held in City Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at 6:00 PM. Video of this meeting is available: https://youtu.be/IeuYdzSvRCA. ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 18:01, members present were, namely: Commission Chair Descoteaux, Commissioner Howe, Commissioner Krieger, and Commissioner Taing. Commissioner Mercier was absent. MINUTES: 0 Acceptance of the meeting minutes for June 1, 2023. Commissioner Krieger made a motion to approve the minutes and place minutes on file for the Lowell License Commission Meeting of Thursday, June 1, 2023; seconded by Commissioner Taing. 3 yeas, 1 present (C. Taing), 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 1 Ratification of an application by Edgar Cyrus of Merrimack Repertory Theatre, for two "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages and Wines only," for performances of "Elton Undressed,” to be held at Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 East Merrimack Street. Motion to ratify the application by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. * Agenda items 2 & 3 for Lowell Memorial Auditorium were taken together. 2 Ratification of applications by Greg Alexandropoulos for four "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for concerts that will be held at Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 E. Merrimack Street, on: • Wednesday, May 31, 2023, 5‐10 PM. • Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 6‐11 PM. • Friday, June 16, 2023, 6‐11 PM. • Sunday, June 18, 2023, 6‐11 PM. Motion to ratify the application by Commissioner Taing; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 3 Applications by Lou Aurelio for two "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for events that will be held at Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 E. Merrimack Street, on: • Saturday, June 24, 2023, 6‐10:30 PM. • Saturday, August 19, 2023, 6‐11 PM. Move approval by Commissioner Taing; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 1 of 4 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2023.06.22 4 Application by Ellen Casazza for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for the "Conflicted Culture" artist's reception on Saturday July 22, 2023, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Curation 250, 250 Jackson Street. Ms. Casazza did not appear before the Commission. 5 Application by Amanda Etinge, for two "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Wines and Malt Beverages only" at the Hellenic Center, 41 Broadway Street. The first is for a Celebration of Life to be held on Saturday June 24, 2023, from 7:00 to 12:30 AM. The second is for a Thanksgiving Celebration to be held on July 8, 2023, from 7PM to 1AM. Ms. Etinge appeared before the Commission. She explained that the first event was to honor her grandmother who recently passed and the other event is to celebrate another grandmother who is recovering from a surgery. She stated both events would have 4 TIPS Certified bartenders to serve about 150 attendees. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 6 Applications by Sarah Atherton for 3 "Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment" permits, for the 2023 Lowell Kinetic Sculpture Race on Saturday September 16, 2023, at Sampas Pavilion, Lot A off Hall Street, and Market Street at Palmer Street. Ms. Atherton noted that, although this is the second time she would be managing the event, the event has been held annually for the last five years, with this being the sixth. Move approval by Commissioner Taing; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 7 Application by Peter Crewe, City of Lowell Director of Cultural Events, for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for the 'Lowell July 4th Celebration,' to be held on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, from 5 to 9:30 PM at Boarding House Park, 40 French Street. Peter Crewe, Director of Cultural Affairs and Special Events discussed the move, this year, for the City of Lowell’s Fourth of July Celebration – from LeLacheur Park to Boarding House Park. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 8 Application by Jacqueline Pelletier, for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Wines and Malt Beverages only," for Lowell's 4th of July Celebration, to be held on Tuesday July 4, 2023, from 5:00 to 8:30 PM on French Street. Ms. Pelletier explained that, same as last year, they would have three TIPS Certified bartenders to serve at the City of Lowell’s Fourth of July Celebration. Commissioner Descoteaux asked if that would be enough – to which she replied that it was enough last year, and that the crowd wasn’t the type likely to cause trouble or drink a lot; most of the attendees are presumably families. Commissioner City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 2 of 4 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2023.06.22 Descoteaux confirmed that the Lowell Police Department would be involved in crowd control. Peter Crewe, Director of Cultural Affairs and Special Events confirmed the location for the consumption of alcohol and that there would also be food trucks at that location. Ms. Pelletier noted that she would like July 7, 2023 added to her application as a rain date for the event, and Commission Chair Descoteaux agreed and directed the Secretary to amend the application accordingly. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 9 Application by 99 Restaurants of Boston, LLC, Brooke Shaw, proposed license manager, all alcoholic beverages restaurant licensee, for a ‘change of manager,’ for premises at 850 Chelmsford Street. Ms. Shaw appeared before the License Commission. She explained her position and her work history and experience with 99 Restaurants. Move approval by Commissioner Howe; seconded by Commissioner Taing. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 10 Application by Vidong Pich, owner of Fork Included LLC, for Common Victualler License for 176 University Avenue. Mr. Pich reviewed his restaurant concept with the Commissioners. Move approval by Commissioner Taing; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 11 Request for a hearing for an application by New Star MA Inc. [d/b/a] Koto Restaurant, Deven Kenison, proposed license manager, for an "All Alcoholic Beverages" restaurant license for premises at 76 Merrimack Street. It is requested that legal notice be published in local newspaper, and public hearing be held on July 13, 2023, at 6 PM. Motion made by Commissioner Krieger to hold a public hearing at the July 27, 2023, meeting of the Lowell License Commission, seconded by Commissioner Taing. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 12 Request for a hearing for an application by RFS Store 117, Inc. [d/b/a] Richdale Food Shops, Barznab Khan, proposed license manager, for Transfer and Change Location of a "Wines and Malt Beverages" Package Store license for premises at 103 Rogers Street. It is requested that legal notice be published in local newspaper, and public hearing be held on July 13, 2023, at 6 PM. Motion made by Commissioner Howe to hold a public hearing at the July 27, 2023, meeting of the Lowell License Commission, seconded by Commissioner Taing. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 3 of 4 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2023.06.22 ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Krieger made a motion to adjourn at 18:14, seconded by Commissioner Howe. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. Submitted by: John Pyers Executive Secretary ✻ City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 4 of 4