License Commission

Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2024.08.08 This meeting was held in City Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 6:00 PM, and by Zoom. Video of this meeting is available: https://www.youtube.com/live/BM7P9kiNQG8?si=zizN7YUqlQE6y8zA 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 July 25, 2024. Commissioner Krieger made a motion to approve the minutes for the meeting of Thursday, July 25, 2024; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 1 Application by Andre LaFontaine, for a "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" and a "Special Events Permits for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for Recorded Music and announcements during the Lowell Fire Fighters Road Race, to be held Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 362 Fletcher Street. Mr. LaFontaine spoke about his charity event, noting that they were hoping for 300 participants in the 5K. (The location, Fire Fighter’s Club, is licensed and will provide TIPS Certified bartenders). Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 2 Applications by Peter Crewe & Sophia Boucher, City of Lowell Cultural Events, for three "Special Events Permits for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for the following City of Lowell events: • Blanket Permit for JFK Plaza through December 31, 2024. • Fall Downtown Buskers Series for Fridays 5‐7 PM and Saturdays 2‐5PM in September & October in Mack Plaza, 25 Shattuck St. and Derby Park, 66 Middle St. •Special Busker Series Event @ Kerouac Park, 75 Bridge St., Saturday, October 5, 2024, 1‐7 PM. Ms. Boucher appeared before the Commission in Council Chambers; she admitted to having seen a busker. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 3 Application by Patrick Fitzgibbons, Aramark, for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for a Reception for Dean Falcon on Monday, August 12, 2024, at Coburn Hall, 850 Broadway Street. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 1 of 4 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2024.08.08 Mr. Fitzgibbons appeared before the Commission and spoke about his event, noting there would be 60 guests. At Commissioner Donahue’s request, Mr. Fitzgibbons clarified that the hours of the event are four to six post merīdiem. Move approval by Commissioner Taing; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 4 Application by Amanda Étinge, for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Wines and Malt Beverages only," for the Africans of New England Awards from 7 PM to 1:30 AM on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at the Hellenic Center, 41 Broadway Street. Ms. Etinge joined the meeting via Zoom. She noted for the Commission that she anticipated 150 to 200 attendees and that she would be using her regular, TIPS Certified bartenders. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Taing. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 5 Application by Sayon Soeun, for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for Live and Recorded Entertainment for the Southeast Asian Water Festival, to be held Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 9AM to 6PM at Sampas Pavilion, 160 Pawtucket Boulevard. Mr. Soeun appeared before the Commission in Chambers. Commission Chair Howe asked if he’d held the license before, to which he replied he had. Move approval by Commissioner Taing; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 6 Application by Joyce Otaru, LLC Manager of Lemon and Thyme by Frevic LLC, for a Common Victualler License for 491 Dutton Street, Unit 4. Joyce Otaru spoke about her plans for a Mediterranean restaurant. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 7 Public hearing for an application by MJ Convenience Inc [d/b/a] Angelina's Convenience, Jackline Pipim, proposed license manager for transfer of an "All Alcoholic Beverages" package store license for 1350 Middlesex Street. Attorney Angelique Eliopoulos spoke for the applicant, Jackline Pipim, who was also present. Ms. Eliopoulos reviewed the application and spoke to the applicant’s experience. Commissioner Howe asked about Ms. Pipim’s alcohol service experience and the attorney explained that Ms. Pipim was TIPS Certified and was familiarizing herself with the License Commission’s Alcoholic Beverages Regulations. At the hearing, no one spoke in favor or opposed to the application. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 2 of 4 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2024.08.08 8 Public hearing for an application by Coco Luna LLC [d/b/a] The Overlook, James Lichoulas, proposed license manager, for a new "All Alcoholic Beverages" Restaurant license for premises at 250 Jackson Street #1. Jim Lichoulas spoke to the Commission; he explained the format of the new space, a function hall used for events that would have food service provided by his adjacent business. He noted that he holds two other alcohol licenses for his own businesses in the same building. Commissioner Taing asked about the capacity of the function room, to which Mr. Lichoulas stated “200.” At the hearing, no one spoke in favor or opposed to the application. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 9 Public hearing for an application by The Lass Stop LLC, Kai Zheng, proposed license manager, for a new "All Alcoholic Beverages" Restaurant license for premises at 245 Central Street. Attorney Kevin Murphy represented The Lass Stop LLC. He reviewed the application and the license manager’s experience. He noted that the applicant, who is also the license manager, had closed his old restaurant so that he could devote all his time to the new business. Atty. Murphy confirmed for Commissioner Krieger that the name “Lass Stop” was not a typo. At the hearing, no one spoke in favor or opposed to the application. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Taing. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 10 Communication from Gregory Hudon, Superintendent of Police, dated August 5, 2024, regarding allegations of misconduct charged against The Middle Street Village Inc., d/b/a The Village Smokehouse, 98 Middle Street, Alan Kaplan, License Manager, all alcoholic beverages restaurant licensee. Allegations of misconduct occurred August 3, 2024, regarding failure to comply with all laws and regulations, including access to premises by police and agents. It is requested that a hearing be held on August 22, 2024, at 6 PM to determine whether The Middle Street Village Inc. has violated certain provisions of Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L.) and the Alcoholic Beverages Regulations for Licenses Issued in the City of Lowell. Motion made by Commissioner Krieger to hold public hearings at the August22, 2024, meeting of the Lowell License Commission, seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 11 Communication from Gregory Hudon, Superintendent of Police, dated August 6, 2024, regarding allegations of misconduct charged against Blue Shamrock Inc., 105 Market Street, Nicholas Petrakos, License Manager, all alcoholic beverages restaurant licensee. Allegations of misconduct occurred August 2, 2024, regarding failure to comply with all laws and regulations, including Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L.) c 138 s34, Age Limits. It is requested that a hearing be held on August 22, 2024, at 6 PM to determine whether Blue Shamrock Inc. has violated certain provisions of M.G.L. and the Alcoholic Beverages Regulations for Licenses Issued in the City of Lowell. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 3 of 4 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2024.08.08 Motion made by Commissioner Taing to hold public hearings at the August22, 2024, meeting of the Lowell License Commission, seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Krieger made a motion to adjourn at 18:16, seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. Submitted by: John Pyers Executive Secretary ✻ City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 4 of 4