License Commission

Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2025.02.13 This meeting was held in City Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM, and by Zoom invitation. Video of this meeting is available: https://www.youtube.com/live/QJecLF5fS7c?si=fGx78S09ixylQrgj 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 January 30, 2025. Commissioner Krieger made a motion to approve the minutes for the meeting of Thursday, January 30, 2025; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 1 absent (C. Taing), 4 yeas, APPROVED. 1 Application by Peter Crewe, City of Lowell Director of Cultural Events, for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for the 2025 'Lowell WinterFest,' to be held on Friday and Saturday, February 21, 4-10PM, & February 22, Noon-10PM, on Middle Street and Palmer Street in Downtown Lowell. Mr. Crewe was pleased to report that WinterFest will be held downtown this year, and that we have a great lineup. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 1 absent (C. Taing), 4 yeas, APPROVED. 2 Application by PJ Mercier, for two "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Wines and Malt Beverages only," for the 2025 'Lowell WinterFest,' to be held on Friday and Saturday, February 21, 4-10PM, & February 22, Noon-10PM in City of Lowell Derby Park, 70 Middle Street. Commissioner Krieger confirmed that Mr. Mercier owns Navigation Brewery, and Commissioner Donahue confirmed that Mr. Mercier had held the same licenses last year for the 2024 Lowell WinterFest. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 1 abstention (C. Mercier), 1 absent (C. Taing), 3 yeas, APPROVED. 3 Application by Alaina Brackett, owner of Purple Carrot Bread Co., for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" for a Valentine's Day Dinner on Friday, February 14, 2025, from 5 to 9PM at Purple Carrot, 107 Merrimack Street. Commission Chair Howe confirmed that Ms. Brackett had just opened a second location in Dracut, MA. Commissioner Donahue confirmed that this was the second Valentine’s day City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 1 of 4 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2025.02.13 event Ms. Brackett is holding, with an alcohol license, and that she has held four previous, licensed events in Lowell. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Taing), APPROVED. 4 Applications by Steve Syverson, for two "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Wines only," for the following events at Arts League of Lowell, 307 Market Street: • Saturday, February 15, 2025, 3-5 PM: "Animals Wild and Tame" Reception. • Saturday, March 22, 2025, 2-4 PM: "On the Sheet / Under the Blankets" Reception. Mr. Syverson confirmed for Commissioner Krieger that the March 22, 2025, event was rated PG. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Taing), APPROVED. 5 Application by Samuel and Angela Sras [d/b/a] Mama Angie's Steam Bun + for a Common Victualler License for 46 Wood Street. Samuel Sras appeared before the Commission. Commissioner Howe confirmed that all required permits and certificates had been filed with the City. Move approval by Commissioner Mercier; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Taing), APPROVED. 6 Application by The Greater Lowell Polish National Home Association for a change of officers for the all alcoholic beverages club licensee. Edward Kalenoski, proposed license manager, for premises at 10 Coburn Street. Mr. Edward Kalenoski appeared before the Commission and explained that this new application was in response to an ABCC finding that the Club’s officers needed to be updated before he could become the legal “License Manager” for the Club. At Commissioner Howe’s request, he reviewed some of his experience with alcohol at previous jobs – and at the club as a long-time officer. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Taing), APPROVED. 7 Application for a Secondhand Motor Vehicles – Used Car Dealer, Class II license, for H&M Auto Sale Inc., Miguel Brito, President, for premises at 640 Dutton Street. Attorney John Cox appeared before the Commission with Miguel Brito. Mr. Cox reviewed the application and noted that Mr. Brito has an auto repair shop adjacent to these premises. Commission Chair Howe confirmed with Mr. Cox that Mr. Brito has 20 years experience with autos, and that auto sales is an allowed use at these premises. Commissioner Howe asked if Mr. Brito had a bond for the Class 2 Auto Dealership, and Mr. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 2 of 4 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2025.02.13 Cox asked that the board approve the license on condition of bond being provided. Commissioner Howe also asked Mr. Cox to confirm that there would be 10-12 cars for sale on the premises. Motion to approve on condition of providing Bond by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Taing), APPROVED. 8 Public hearing regarding an application by Kajal Corp [d/b/a] Highland Lowell i Liquors, Mina Patel, License Manager, for a change location of the "All Alcoholic Beverages" Package Store Licensee to 509 Market Street. Attorney John Cox appeared before the Commission with Mina Patel. Mr. Cox spoke of Ms. Patel’s experience and long time at the current address – and spoke to the benefits of the new address. At Commissioner Howe’s request, Mr. Cox confirmed that he had received written assent from the two churches within 500 feet of the proposed premises. At the hearing, no one spoke in favor or in opposition to the application. Move approval by Commissioner Mercier; seconded by Commissioner Kreiger. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Taing), APPROVED. 9 Public hearing regarding an application by Ankitkrishna Happyradha Corp [d/b/a] Captain John's, Ankit Patel, proposed license manager for transfer of an "All Alcoholic Beverages" restaurant license for 333 Westford Street. Attorney Michael Zaim appeared before the Commission with Ankit Patel and Happy Patel, and explained why they were resubmitting their application under a different business entity (they couldn’t obtain a Tax ID from the IRS for the previous name, which was too common). The ABCC would not allow the original application to be submitted without a Federal Tax ID, and after four months of waiting for approval – the new business entity received a Tax ID immediately. At the hearing, no one spoke in favor or in opposition to the application. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Taing), APPROVED. 10 Request for a public hearing for an application by Pho & Grill LLC [d/b/a] Pho & Grill, Tiffany Truong, proposed license manager for a new "All Alcoholic Beverages" restaurant license for 475 Chelmsford Street. It is requested that legal notice be published in the local newspaper, and the public hearing be held on March 6, 2025, at 6 PM. Motion to schedule the public hearing for the next meeting of the Lowell License Commission by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, 1 absent (C. Taing), APPROVED. ADJOURNMENT: City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 3 of 4 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2025.02.13 Commissioner Donahue made a motion to adjourn at 18:16, seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, APPROVED. Submitted by: John Pyers Executive Secretary ✻ i 2025.02.13 Corrected typo on original agenda, dba to “Highland Liquors” AKA “Conlon Liquors.” City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 4 of 4