License Commission

Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2024.03.07 This meeting was held in City Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 6:00 PM, and by Zoom. Video of this meeting is available: https://www.youtube.com/live/Jupq1Y907SU?si=SFojdS5MR78‐g1PX ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 18:00, members present were, namely: Commission Chair Howe, Commissioner Krieger, Commissioner Donahue, and Commissioner Taing; Commissioner Mercier was absent. MINUTES: 0 Acceptance of the meeting minutes for February 22, 2024. Commissioner Krieger made a motion to approve the minutes for the meeting of Thursday, December 28, 2023; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 1 Application by James O'Hearn, for Pollard Memorial Library Foundation, for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Wines and Malt Beverages only," for a ‘Meet the Author Night featuring Allegra Goodman.’ Event to be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 6 to 8 PM in Memorial Hall at the Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack Street. James O’Hearn reviewed the plans for the event. Commissioner Donahue noted that although he’s known Mr. O’Hearn for a very long time and Mr. O’Hearn is his insurance agent, since Mr. O’Hearn is volunteering and not profiting from this transaction, there is no conflict of interest. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Taing. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 2 Applications by Vinny Boungnasy for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages and Wines Only" for the Wat Lao Mixayaram Annual Lao New Year Celebration on Sunday, April 14, 2024, from Noon to 6 PM on Temple Grounds, 45 Bernier Street. Taken together with agenda items 3 & 4 per Commission Chair Howe. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Taing. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 3 Applications by Vinny Boungnasy for two "Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment" permits, for the Wat Lao Mixayaram Annual Lao New Year Celebration on Saturday and Sunday, April 13‐14, 2024, from Noon to 6 PM on Temple Grounds, 45 Bernier Street. Taken together with agenda items 2 & 4. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Taing. 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 2024.03.07 4 Applications by Vinny Boungnasy for two "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages and Wines Only" and for two "Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment" permits, for the Wat Lao Mixayaram Annual Fundraising Festival on Saturday and Sunday, June 29‐30, 2024, from Noon to 8 PM on Temple Grounds, 45 Bernier Street. Taken together with agenda items 2 & 3. Mr. Boungnasy appeared before the Commission in Chambers. He spoke about his events, which have taken place annually for many years. At Commission Chair Howe’s examination, Mr. Boungnasy stated that he would have 4 or 5 TIPS Certified bartenders serving approximately 100 guests at each day of the events. Commissioner Donahue confirmed with Lowell Police Captain Peaslee that there have been no issues at any of the events at Wat Lao Mixayaram. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Taing. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 5 Application by Clemente Park Committee, Jhonnatha Cheam, Committee Chair, for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for the ‘14th Annual Khmer New Year's Celebration,’ to be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Pailin Sports Complex at Clemente Park, 803 Middlesex Street. Rain date 4/21. Jhonnatha Cheam presented the Clemente Park Committee’s application and described the event. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 6 Application by Ellen Casazza for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for an artist's reception for Adam O'Day on Saturday March 9, 2024, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at Curation 250, 250 Jackson Street. Ellen Casazza appeared before the Commission. Commissioner Howe noted that Ms. Casazza has regularly held this license for this type of event. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Taing. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 7 Applications by Amanda Étinge, for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Wines and Malt Beverages only," for a Celebration of Life from 6 PM to 1:30 AM on March 16, 2024, at the Hellenic Center, 41 Broadway Street. Amanda Étinge joined the meeting via Zoom and spoke about her plans. Move approval by Commissioner Taing; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 2 of 4 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2024.03.07 8 Applications by Pedro Bazan, Catering Supervisor for Aramark at Tsongas Center, for two "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages and Wines only," for playoff games at UMass Lowell's Costello Gym, 275 Riverside Street on Saturday, March 9, 2024, from 2 to 5 PM and on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, from 5 to 8 PM. Pedro Bazan appeared before the Commission in chambers. He reviewed his applications, and at Commissioner Krieger’s request, Mr. Bazan described how Aramark bartenders check IDs to prevent underage persons from being served alcohol. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Taing. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 9 Application for a Charity Wine Pouring License & Charity Wine Auction by Heather Kring for the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, Inc. (ALSAC) of Memphis, TN, for the event “Fitness for a Cure benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital” to be held at Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 East Merrimack St., Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ms. Heather Kring and Ms. Stacy Marshal appeared before the Commission via Zoom. They reviewed their event and noted that this will be the 25th time they’ve had the event in Lowell. At Commissioner Donahue’s request, Ms. Kring spoke about St. Jude’s connection to the City of Lowell. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Taing. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 10 Public hearing for an application by Back Page Cafe & Restaurant LLC, Bradley Yates, proposed license manager for an "All Alcoholic Beverages" restaurant license for premises at 15 Kearney Square, Unit 2. Bradley Yates appeared in person before the Commission. Commissioner Krieger asked about parking for the Back Page, to which Mr. Yates responded that there was plenty of parking garage parking nearby – as well as some street parking that was often available in the morning. Mr. Yates confirmed for Commissioner Howe that all bartenders would be TIPS Certified and trained on Lowell Alcohol Regulations – and that they would have ID scanning software that would be used to check every ID and would keep track of every person who purchased alcohol. At the public hearing, no one spoke in favor of or in opposition to granting the license. Motion made by Commissioner Krieger to approve the application; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 11 Public hearing for an application by Dhairya Inc. [d/b/a] Store 38, Sohil Patel, proposed license manager, for transfer of a "All Alcoholic Beverages" Package Store license for premises at 6 Laurel Street. Motion to continue the hearing at the next meeting by Commissioner Krieger; 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 2024.03.07 12 Application by Outback Steakhouse, Tonisha Beth Farrell, proposed license manager, all alcoholic beverages hotel licensee, for a ‘change of manager,’ for premises at 28 Reiss Avenue. Tonisha Farrell appeared in person before the Commission with Attorney Elizabeth Pisano for Outback. Attorney Pisano reviewed the Change of Manager application and spoke about Ms. Farrell’s experience. Commissioner Krieger asked after the business, to which Ms. Farrell noted that business has been very consistently good, and that this store was not in danger of closing. At the public hearing, no one spoke in favor of or in opposition to granting the license. Motion made by Commissioner Krieger to approve the transfer; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 13 Request for a hearing for an application by Varni LLC [d/b/a] University Convenience, Mukesh Patel, proposed license manager, for transfer of a "All Alcoholic Beverages" Package Store license for premises at 102 University Avenue. It is requested that legal notice be published in local newspaper, and public hearing be held on March 21, 2024, at 6 PM. Motion made by Commissioner Taing to hold a public hearing at the March 21, 2024, meeting of the Lowell License Commission, seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. 14 Request for a public hearing on March 21, 2024, at 6 PM to discuss Pawnbroker interest rates for the City of Lowell. Motion made by Commissioner Donahue to hold a public hearing at the March 21, 2024, meeting of the Lowell License Commission, seconded by Commissioner Taing. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Mercier), APPROVED. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Krieger made a motion to adjourn at 18:20, seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 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