City of Central Falls
Liquor Board Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
Monday, November 22, 1999 at 6:30 p.m.
A Meeting of the Central Falls Liquor Board was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 8:10 p.m.
Councilman Noury
Councilman Weber
Councilman Canavan
Councilman Ferri
Councilwoman Moreau absent due to illness.
Summons read by The Clerk.
Solicitor Briden stated that at the District Court the Court was applying Section 3-8-5 of the General Laws to the Offender. The Board will be considering Section 3-5-21 at this Hearing.
Lt. Gamache of the Central Falls Police Department was present and explained that the Department had received a grant to investigate underage drinking issues and those establishments that serve minors.
The first Hearing was with the Central Falls Field Naturalist Society.
Mr. Maurice Hamel, a member of the Society, was present and argued the following: He stated that the Club has been in operation since 1900 and he asked the Board to remember the numbers 9 9 9. He spoke of section 3-8-6 of the General Laws and he also commented on the Club's centennial. He related that the Club is not in the habit of serving Minors and by the very nature of the makeup of the Bug Club that young persons would not even consider know where the place was to even be served. He quoted several lines from Shakespeare.
Councilman Canavan responded to Mr. Hamel's comments.
Lt. Gamache stated that the Police Department is recommending a 2-day suspension on a Friday or Saturday evening.
Chairman Ferri stated that a minor was served and that the Police Department deserved the support of the Board.
Chairman Ferri stepped down from the Chair to make a motion suspending the license for a period of 2 days on Friday December 10 and Saturday December 11, 1999. Motion seconded by Councilman Weber. Council President Canavan assumed the Chair.
Councilman Noury questioned Mr. Briden.
Mr. Briden stated that the Board could exercise discretion in this matter.
Councilman Weber thinks that this is too harsh and recommends $100.00 fine.
Roll call on motion to suspend:
Councilman Noury no
Councilman Canavan no
Councilman Weber no
Councilman Ferri yes
Motion failed 3 no 1 yes 1 absent.
Councilman Canavan stated that he would support Councilman Weber's recommendation.
Councilman Noury stated that he does support the Police Department but that a two-day suspension is severe and that he doesn't condone underage drinking. He just doesn't feel that this is appropriate at this time.
Motion to fine $100.00 was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Weber.
Councilman Noury yes
Councilman Ferri no
Councilman Weber yes
Councilman Canavan yes
Motion carried 3 yes 1 no 0 absent.
The Board decided to consider each offender individually.
American-Colombian Liquors
738 Broad St.
Elizabeth Esquiaqui was present and stated that she did card the person, she made a mistake relative to the date and asked for the Mercy of the Board.
It was determined that this is the second time within three years that this establishment was before the Board.
Ms. Esquiaqui stated that they are looking to make some changes and to hire extra help. Also tips training.
Councilman Weber stated that the business got the first warning when they appeared before this board previously for the same infraction.
Councilman Noury questioned Lt. Gamache on the 2-day suspension.
Motion to suspend the license for 2 days Friday and Saturday was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Weber.
Councilman Weber stated that he for one thinks that two days suspension is too lenient and he would rather amend to 5 days Tuesday through Saturday.
Councilman Noury stated that the 2 days are what is recommended by the Police Department.
Councilman Noury yes
Councilman Ferri yes
Councilman Canavan yes
Councilman Weber No
Motion carried 3 yes 1 no 1 absent.
Casmir Pulaski Mutual Aid Society
516-518 Roosevelt Ave.
Members of the Casmir Pulaski Society stated that they do no make a practice of serving minors and asked for the same consideration as the Bug Club.
Motion to fine $100.00 was made by Councilman Ferri and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
Central Falls Field Naturalist Society (Bug Club)
56 Brook St.
$100.00 fine
Destiny Bar & Grill Inc.
563 Pine St.
Mr. Bernard was present and stated that they would pay the fine although it is not the policy of the business to serve minors.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Ferri and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So voted.
El Rincon de Antano Inc.
72 Hedley Ave.
Jaime Yepes present to and stated that just before he served this person he carded two individuals who were in their late thirties. He said this person did not look to be underage and that it is not the policy of his establishment to serve underage persons.
Motion to fine $100.00 was made by Councilman Ferri and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
Goober's Hadwin Cafe Inc.
63 Hadwin St.
Motion to fine $100.00 was made by Councilman Ferri and seconded by Councilman Noury. All agreed. So Voted.
Good Friends Inc.
548 Lonsdale Ave.
Motion to fine $100.00 was made by Councilman Ferri and seconded by Councilman Noury. All agreed. So Voted.
Hester's Place Inc.
768 Broad St.
Motion to suspend for 2 days was made by Councilman Ferri and seconded by Councilman Noury. Councilman Noury questioned Mr. Briden.
Mr. Briden responded by saying that he is recusing himself from any of advice relative to this case.
Councilman Canavan commented.
Councilman Noury suggested amending to one-day suspension.
Motion withdrawn and second withdrawn.
Motion to suspend for one day Friday, December 10th 1999 was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Ferri. All Agreed. So Voted.
Huckleberry's Pub Inc.
500-502 Roosevelt Ave.
Motion to fine 100.00 was made by Councilman Ferri and seconded by Councilman Noury. All agreed. So Voted.
Orisonte Lounge Inc.
674 Dexter St.
Motion to fine $100.00 was made by Councilman Ferri and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
Simoneau Enterprises Inc
1270 Broad St.
Motion to fine $100.00 was made by Councilman Ferri and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
James Stanton Post #5
768 Lonsdale Avenue
Motion to fine $100.00 was made by Councilman Ferri and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
Chairman Ferri resumed the Chair.
None
None
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Weber and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
_____________________
Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC
City Clerk
Interpreters for the Hearing Impaired Available with 72 Hour Notice made at the Office of the City Clerk.
This Notice Posted in City Hall & Library on Nov. 4, 1999