License Commission

Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2024.11.07 Final Approved This meeting was held in City Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 6:00 PM, and by Zoom. Video of this meeting is available: https://www.youtube.com/live/mTiolVzpOEI?si=MeUdj3o5emvH6k29 ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 18:00, members present were, namely: Commission Chair Howe, Commissioner Krieger, Commissioner Donahue, and Commissioner Mercier. Commissioner Taing was absent. MINUTES: 0 Acceptance of the meeting minutes for October 10, 2024. Commissioner Krieger made a motion to approve the minutes for the meeting of Thursday, October 10, 2024; seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 1 Application by Beatrice Teguia for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 8 PM to 1 AM at the Hellenic Center, 41 Broadway Street. Ms. Teguia joined the meeting on Zoom. At Commissioner Howe’s request, she noted that she would have about 300 guests and four TIPS Certified bartenders (Amanda Étinge is event planner). At Commissioner Donahue’s request, Captain David Peaslee confirmed that 300 persons was close to or at the occupancy limit for the venue. C. Donahue then confirmed that the applicant had sufficient security to cover the event. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 2 Application by Robertson Mengata for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for a Celebration of Life on Friday, November 29, 2024, from 7:30 PM to 1:30 AM at the Hellenic Center, 41 Broadway Street. Mr. Mengata appeared before the Commission in meeting. He spoke about his event and noted he anticipated 250 attendees and would have four TIPS certified bartenders (Amanda Étinge is event planner). Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 3 Application by Ellen Casazza for two "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" The first for an artist's reception for 'CloudBusting' on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM and the second on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM for an artist's reception for 'Nature's Cruelest Mistakes,' at Curation 250, 250 Jackson Street. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 1 of 4 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2024.11.07 Final Approved Ms. Casazza appeared in Council Chambers before the Commission and reviewed her upcoming art receptions. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 4 Application by Beth Borges of House Bear Brewing LLC, a Farmer Winery, for License to sell at the "Farm Market at Mill No. 5" on Sundays from November 10, 2024, to April 27, 2025, from 10 AM to 1 PM, at Mill No. 5, 250 Jackson Street. Beth Borges joined the meeting via Zoom. Ms. Borges spoke about her business and the products she provides; then she reviewed her history with Farmers Markets in the City of Lowell. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 5 Application by Kah Ndi, for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense All Alcoholic Beverages," for the 2025 Community Fundraiser for Lowell Youth Leadership Program, to be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 5 to 10 PM at UTEC, 35 Warren Street. Ms. Ndi spoke about the Lowell Youth Leadership Program fundraiser and what it supports. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 6 Ratification of an application by PJ Mercier, Navigation Brewing Co. for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Wines and Malt Beverages only," for 'Pumpkins & Pints,' to be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 1 to 5 PM In Enterprise Bank's lot, 222 Merrimack Street. Mr. Mercier apologized for missing the October 10, 2024, meeting and said this event, in partnership with the City of Lowell, went well. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 7 Ratification of applications by Patrick Fitzgibbons, General Manager for Aramark at Tsongas Center, for fifteen "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages and Wines only," for basketball game concessions at Costello Gym, 261 Riverside Street, on UML North Campus. Schedule of games' dates & times provided. Ratification of two additional applications for same: The first is for the Parker Lecture series at Allen House, from 5 to 7 PM on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 2 Solomont Way; the second is for Riviera University Athletics reception from 5 to 7 PM on Monday, November 4, 2024, at Saab Emerging Technologies & Innovation Center, 40 University Avenue. Mr. Fitzgibbons apologized for missing the October 10, 2024, meeting and spoke about the events – that they went well, and that some of the Bball games are still coming up. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 4 yeas, APPROVED. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 2 of 4 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2024.11.07 Final Approved 8 Application by Aramark Educational Services LLC [d/b/a] Inn and Conference Center for a change of license manager for the all alcoholic beverages hotel licensee. Patrick Fitzgibbons, proposed license manager, for premises at 50 Warren Street. Secretary Pyers noted that this application has been withdrawn and the license is being surrendered by the Licensee, Aramark. Mr. Fitzgibbons noted that Aramark decided to surrender the license because the ICC’s use as refugee housing is an open‐ended commitment and they cannot use the alcohol license during this time. Motion to accept the withdrawal of the application by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 9 Application by Aramark Educational Services LLC [d/b/a] Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell for a change of license manager for the all alcoholic beverages restaurant licensee. Patrick Fitzgibbons, proposed license manager, for premises at 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Mr. Fitzgibbons explained that he would be replacing the current License Manager, who is retiring. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 10 Public hearing to amend an "All Alcoholic Beverages" restaurant license for G&AA LLC [d/b/a] Fuse Bistro, for change of officers, ownership interest, and change of manager for premises at 45 Palmer Street. The new owner of G&AA LLC, Kevin Moschen, and the seller, Scott Pelletier, both appeared before the Commission. Mr. Moschen reviewed his experience in the industry and specifically with alcohol and noted that he is TIPS Certified. Commissioner Donahue thanked Mr. Pelletier for his contributions to the City over the years. At the hearing, no one spoke in favor or in opposition to the application. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 11 Application by Cyrus Enterprises Inc. [d/b/a] Market Street Market for change of officers and a change of license manager for the wines and malt beverages package store. Mina Rezkalla, proposed license manager, for premises at 95 Market Street. Attorney Tom Truax appeared for the Licensee. He reviewed Mr. Rezkalla’s position and experience as co‐owner of the business and his experience and track‐record with selling alcohol. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, APPROVED. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 3 of 4 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2024.11.07 Final Approved 12 Communication from Massachusetts State Lottery Commission regarding an application for a KENO license submitted by Relaxe Salem LLC [d/b/a] Axe Shack, 12 Church Street. In accordance with M.G.L. Ch10 §27A, an objection of the city must be as a result of an official action taken by the city regarding the Keno applicant. Motion to accept the communication and put it on file by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, APPROVED. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Mercier made a motion to adjourn at 18:22, 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