License Commission

Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2024.12.12 This meeting was held in City Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 6:00 PM, and by Zoom invitation. Video of this meeting is available: https://www.youtube.com/live/O3w5xv3w5ME?si=rhwQrCm6POUdl5Uh ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 18:00, members present were, namely: Commission Chair Howe, Commissioner Krieger, Commissioner Donahue, Commissioner Mercier, and Commissioner Taing. MINUTES: 0 Acceptance of the meeting minutes for November 21, 2024. Commissioner Krieger made a motion to approve the minutes for the meeting of Thursday, November 21, 2024; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 1 Ratification of an application by Vinny Boungnasy, for a "Special One Day License for Non-Profit to sell/dispense All Alcoholic Beverages" and a "Special Events Permits for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for Recorded Music and announcements during the Wat Lao Mixayaram Miss Lao Universe Welcome, held Sunday, December 1, 2024, from noon to 4PM at 45 Bernier Street. Mr. Boungnasy appeared before the Commission and confirmed his purpose; Captain Peaslee confirmed that there have been no problems at any of the Wat Lao Mixayaram events. Motion to ratify the licenses by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Taing. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 2 Application by Brush Art Gallery & Studios, James Dyment, Executive Director, for seven "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Gallery Wines only," for the following events at 256 Market Street: • Reception for Rolling Rivers Printmakers on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Snow date 1/19. • Reception for Beauty in Decay on Saturday, May 17, 2025, 2-4PM. • Reception for Higgins & Ross on Saturday, June 21, 2025, 2-4PM. • Reception for Good as Gold Annual Quilts on Saturday, August 9, 2025, 2-4PM. • Reception for Annual Studio Artist Exhibit on Saturday, September 20, 2025, 2-4PM. • Reception for Holiday Wine & Cheese on Thursday, December 11, 2025, 4-7PM. • Reception for Annual Member Exhibit on Saturday, December 13, 2025, 2-4PM. James Dyment appeared before the Commission and noted that he was applying for events for all of 2025. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 5 yeas, APPROVED. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 1 of 5 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2024.12.12 3 Applications by Amanda Étinge, for four "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Wines and Malt Beverages only," at the Hellenic Center, 41 Broadway Street for the following: • Thanksgiving & Birthday Celebration on Saturday, December 21, 2024, 6 PM to 1:30 AM. • Celebration of Life on Friday, December 27, 2024, 7 PM to 1:30 AM. • Celebration of Life on Saturday, December 28, 2024, 7 PM to 1:30 AM. • Celebration of Life on Saturday, January 11, 2025, 7 PM to 1:30 AM. Ms. Étinge joined the meeting via Zoom. Commission Chair Howe asked what sort of food would be provided at the birthday party, to which Ms. Étinge said “every African food you can think of;” she then confirmed that she would have her usual group of TIPS Certified bartenders. She also noted for Commissioner Donahue that all the events were for families. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 4 Application by Robert Dorris for Aramark at Tsongas Center, for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages and Wines only," for the Mechanical Engineering Department's Holiday Party at Alumni Hall, 4 University Avenue. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 5 Application by Kellie Hebert for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Wines and Malt Beverages only" for a 50th Birthday Party on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 5 to 10 PM at the Old American Legion, 684 Westford Street. In Mr. & Mrs. Hebert’s absence, the Commission considered approval. Secretary Pyers explained that they had been licensed before and had held a similar family event in the same venue. Captain Peaslee confirmed that there were no issues at the previous event. Then Kellie Hebert entered the meeting with apologies for tardiness. She noted that they expected 60 family & friends, and that the event was for her brother, a LFD firefighter. Move approval by Commissioner Mercier; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 6 Petition to amend the “All Alcoholic Beverages” license operating hours from a 2:00 AM closing time to 11:00 PM by Wisitaree Corp. [d/b/a] Blue Taleh, 15 Kearney Square, Steve Ramirez, License manager. Steve Ramirez, Alcohol License Manager for Wisitaree Corp., appeared before the Commission. He explained that the business has been closing at 11 PM since before COVID, and has finally decided to make the change official. Move approval by Commissioner Mercier; seconded by Commissioner Taing. 5 yeas, APPROVED. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 2 of 5 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2024.12.12 7 Application by the "All Alcoholic Beverages" package store licensee, Dhairya Inc. [d/b/a] Store 38, for a "Change of Pledge of Collateral" for premises at 6 Laurel Street. Attorney Judkins, for the Licensee, did not appear in meeting. The Commission discussed Ms. Judkins’ previous absences. The Commission also noted that they had been alerted to the fact that there may be a problem with a licensee using an alcohol license as collateral in the City of Lowell. Motion to request legal opinion regarding the use of alcohol license as collateral by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 8 Application by the "All Alcoholic Beverages" restaurant licensee, A&W Group LLC [d/b/a] Shabu Shack, for a "Change of D/B/A" to 'WTF Wee Thai Foods,' premises at 255 Chelmsford Street. Wirawat Tonfa, Alcohol License Manager, and Annie San, co-owner of A&W Group LLC, appeared before the Commission. They confirmed that they were changing the business name (d/b/a) so that it matches another of their restaurants, and switching up the concept a little to improve business. Move approval by Commissioner Taing; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 9 Application by the "All Alcoholic Beverages" restaurant licensee, Thara Land LLC, for a "Change of D/B/A" to 'Oshare Sushi & Bar,' premises at 350 Market Street. Nhi Gibson, Alcohol License Manager for Thara Land LLC, appeared before the Commission. She explained that she was adding a business name (d/b/a) just ahead of opening her business. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 10 Public hearing for an application by Rex Liquors Inc., Kenneth Santos, proposed license manager for transfer of an "All Alcoholic Beverages" package store license for 68 Mammoth Road. Attorney Michael Zaim represented Rex Liquors Inc., and both Kenneth Santos and Manuela Santos were present in meeting. Mr. Zaim explained that the couple started their business as a partnership in 2002, but formed a corporation just a year later. Since they never notified License Commission or the ABCC, they were now doing so through this process. At the hearing, no one spoke in favor or in opposition to the application. Move approval by Commissioner Mercier; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 5 yeas, APPROVED. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 3 of 5 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2024.12.12 11 Public hearing for an application by Trem Caipira Restaurant Inc., Richard Blair, proposed license manager, for an "All Alcoholic Beverages" restaurant license for premises at 62 Gorham Street. Attorney Catherine Flood appeared before the Commission with Christiana Pinero, owner of Trem Caipira, and by Zoom: Richard Blair, proposed Alcohol License Manager. Ms. Flood reviewed the new application and the key persons’ experience. At the hearing, no one spoke in favor or in opposition to the application. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 12 Request for a public hearing to amend an "All Alcoholic Beverages" Package Store license for SAPT LLC [d/b/a] Lowell Liquors, for change of ownership and stock interest for premises at 638 Rogers Street. It is requested that legal notice be published in the local newspaper, and the public hearing be held on January 2, 2025, at 6 PM. Items 12-16 were taken together. Motion made by Commissioner Taing to hold public hearings at the January 2, 2025, meeting of the Lowell License Commission, seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 13 Request for a public hearing for an application by Asados Dona Flor Inc., Marina Martinez, proposed license manager, for a new "All Alcoholic Beverages" Restaurant license for premises at 197 High Street. It is requested that legal notice be published in the local newspaper, and the public hearing be held on January 2, 2025, at 6 PM. Items 12-16 were taken together. Motion made by Commissioner Taing to hold public hearings at the January 2, 2025, meeting of the Lowell License Commission, seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 14 Request for a public hearing for an application to alter the premises of an "All Alcoholic Beverages" package store license for Dhairya Inc. [d/b/a] Store 38, for premises at 6 Laurel Street. It is requested that legal notice be published in the local newspaper, and the public hearing be held on January 2, 2025, at 6 PM. Items 12-16 were taken together. Motion made by Commissioner Taing to hold public hearings at the January 2, 2025, meeting of the Lowell License Commission, seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 15 Request for a public hearing for multiple amendments to an "All Alcoholic Beverages" Restaurant license for Warp and Weft LLC, premises at 197 and 189 Market Street. It is requested that legal notice be published in the local newspaper, and the public hearing be held on January 2, 2025, at 6 PM. Items 12-16 were taken together. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 4 of 5 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2024.12.12 Motion made by Commissioner Taing to hold public hearings at the January 2, 2025, meeting of the Lowell License Commission, seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 16 Request for a public hearing for an application by Krishnaradha Inc [d/b/a] Captain John's, Ankit Patel, proposed license manager for transfer of an "All Alcoholic Beverages" restaurant license for 333 Westford Street. It is requested that legal notice be published in the local newspaper, and the public hearing be held on January 2, 2025, at 6 PM. Items 12-16 were taken together. Motion made by Commissioner Taing to hold public hearings at the January 2, 2025, meeting of the Lowell License Commission, seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 17 Communications from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. 18. Commissioner Donahue requested to be recognized, then asked a point of personal privilege Personal and Made a motion to ask the Law Department if License Commission can include in the Privilege application for “day/event alcohol license” a question of “who is the event for?” The motion was seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 5 yeas, APPROVED. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Mercier made a motion to adjourn at 18:25, seconded by Commissioner Taing. 5 yeas, APPROVED. Submitted by: John Pyers Executive Secretary ✻ City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 5 of 5