License Commission

Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2025.03.27 This meeting was held in City Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 6:00 PM, and by Zoom invitation. Video of this meeting is available: https://www.youtube.com/live/RQa7RHSkZE8?si=ViYMltUNBfYh-ybf 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 March 6, 2025. Commissioner Krieger made a motion to approve the minutes for the meeting of Thursday, March 6, 2025; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 4 yeas, 1 present (C. Taing), APPROVED. 1 Application by Laura Lamarre Anderson, Lala Books, for a seasonal "Sidewalk Stand Permit" for April through October, 2025, for their business at 185-189 Market Street. Ms. Anderson appeared before the Commission on Zoom. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 2 Application by Suzanne Hodge, for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Wines only," for the opening reception for their cultural exhibition "Proleung Khmer: A 50-year Journey of Remembrance and Resilience" on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 4:30 to 7:30 PM at the Loading Dock Gallery, 122 Western Avenue. Due to a technical difficulty, Ms. Hodge could not join the meeting. 3 Application by Peter Crewe and Sophia Boucher, for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for a Busker Festival to be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 10 AM to 10 PM, in Downtown Lowell. Ms. Boucher spoke about the City-organized event. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 4 Application by Lily Leonard for a "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for the 2025 Points of Light Lantern Celebration on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 5 to 10 PM at Ecumenical Plaza and Jefferson Street. Ms. Leonard spoke about her event at Commission Chair Howe’s request. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 1 of 4 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2025.03.27 Move approval by Commissioner Mercier; seconded by Commissioner Taing. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 5 Application by Laura Tavares for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines," for the 2025 Points of Light Lantern Celebration on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 5 to 10 PM at Ecumenical Plaza and Jefferson Street. Ms. Tavares spoke about the event, noting that it’s the 8th annual, the 6th or 7th with alcohol service. She also reviewed her experience with alcohol service. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 6 Applications by Robert Dorris for Aramark at Tsongas Center, for two "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages and Wines only," for the following events on UMass Lowell's campus: • Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 4:00 to 6:00 PM for a Retirement Party for Laura Dufresne, Coburn Hall, 850 Broadway Street. • Thursday, April 24, 2025, 5:30 to 8:00 PM for an Art & Design BFA Reception, Mahoney Hall, 870 Broadway Street. • Thursday, May 8, 2025, 5:30 to 8:00 PM for an Art & Design BFA Reception, Mahoney Hall, 870 Broadway Street. Mr. Dorris joined the meeting on Zoom. Commissioner Howe confirmed that Mr. Dorris has applied for and held license several times. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 7 Applications by Amanda Étinge, for two "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Wines and Malt Beverages only," at the Hellenic Center, 41 Broadway Street: • Kayla's Sweet 16 from 6 PM to 1:30 AM on Saturday, April 19, 2025, and • New England Veterans' Launch from 6 PM to 1:30 AM on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Ms. Étinge joined the meeting via Zoom. At Commissioner Donahue’s request, she clarified who the manager of the venue is. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 8 Application by Andrea Wilcott, for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense All Alcohol," for a Network Event with the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 4 to 6 PM at Lowell Makes, 130 Western Ave. Ms. Wilcott appeared before the Commission. She noted that they expected 20 attendees. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 2 of 4 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2025.03.27 Move approval by Commissioner Mercier; seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 9 Application by Bob Sisson, of the Mike McNeil Organization, for a "Pub Crawl License," for the ‘Mike McNeil Crawl for a Cure,’ to be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 5:00 PM to Midnight in Downtown Lowell. Mr. Sisson appeared before the Commission in Council Chambers. Lowell Police Department Captain Peaslee confirmed for Commission Chair Howe that there have been no problems at previous “Crawls for a Cure” events. Move approval by Commissioner Donahue; seconded by Commissioner Taing. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 10 Public hearing for an application by L&G 2004 Inc. [d/b/a] Mandarin Asian Bistro, Shiliang Lin, proposed license manager for transfer of an "All Alcoholic Beverages" restaurant license for 24 Market Street. Attorney Russell Chen appeared before the Commission with Mr. Shiliang Lin by Zoom. Mr. Chen reviewed the application. Commissioner Howe noted that the application didn’t show any experience or training with alcohol, and asked for clarification. She also expressed concern that his residence was in New York and asked for clarification on that. Because Attorney Chen was unable to provide clarification on either point, the Commission asked if he would mind continuing the hearing at the next meeting. The attorney agreed. Move to continue hearing at the next License Commission meeting by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 11 Request for a public hearing for an application by Mariachi Foods Inc [d/b/a] El Potro Mexican Grill, for alteration of premises of the "All Alcoholic Beverages" restaurant license for 124 Merrimack Street. It is requested that legal notice be published in the local newspaper, and the public hearing be held on April 17, 2025, at 6 PM. Motion made by Commissioner Krieger to hold public hearings at the April 17, 2025, meeting of the Lowell License Commission, seconded by Commissioner Taing. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 12 Request for a public hearing for an application by Prathna Inc. [d/b/a] Prathna's Convenience for a change of location for the "Malt Beverages and Wines" package store license to 186 Branch Street. It is requested that legal notice be published in the local newspaper, and the public hearing be held on April 17, 2025, at 6 PM. Motion made by Commissioner Krieger to hold public hearings at the April 17, 2025, meeting of the Lowell License Commission, seconded by Commissioner Donahue. 5 yeas, APPROVED. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 3 of 4 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2025.03.27 13 Communication from Gregory Hudon, Superintendent of Police, dated March 10, 2025, 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 March 1, 2025, 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 April 17, 2025, 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 Donahue to hold public hearings at the April 17, 2025, meeting of the Lowell License Commission and to request that the licensee bring their license scanner to that hearing, seconded by Commissioner Taing. 5 yeas, APPROVED. 14 Communication from Gregory Hudon, Superintendent of Police, dated March 10, 2025, 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 March 1, 2025, 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 April 17, 2025, 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. Motion made by Commissioner Donahue to hold public hearings at the April 17, 2025, meeting of the Lowell License Commission and to request that the licensee bring their license scanner to that hearing, seconded by Commissioner Kriger. 5 yeas, APPROVED. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Krieger made a motion to adjourn at 18:24, 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 4 of 4