February 28, 2001 - Liquor Board Meeting
City of Central Falls
Liquor Board Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
Wednesday, February 28, 2001
At 7:00 P.M.
A Meeting of the Central Falls Liquor Board was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 7:03 p.m.
1. Roll Call
Councilman Leger
Councilwoman Canavan
Councilman Noury
Councilman Robichaud
Councilman Lazieh
Quorum present.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Councilman Lazieh chaired the meeting and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance
3. Minutes
February 7, 2001
Motion to accept and place on file was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
4. Correspondence
(a) Mark P. Welch, Esq. re: License Transfer Hester's Place
Motion to accept and place on file was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilwoman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
5. Hearings
A. Jimbo's Cafe Inc.
d/b/a Tropicana Nightclub & Restaurant
134-138 Cowden St. C.F.
Open and serving Alcoholic Beverages after 1:00 a.m.
Deferred to later in the meeting.
B. Vulcao Cafe Inc.
d/b/a Vulcao Cafe
200 Cross St. C.F.
Serving underage person.
Deferred to later in the meeting.
6. Transfer Class Bv License
Hester's Place Inc.
d/b/a Hester's Place
768 Broad St. C.F.
to
RCM Corp
d/b/a Acuarius Night Club
768 Broad St. C.F.
Deferred to later in the meeting.
7. Requested to Appear
A. Central Falls Field Naturalist d/b/a Bug Club-56 Brook St., C.F. to discuss incident that occurred on November 10, 2000.
Mr. David Bergeron, President of the Central Falls Field Naturalist Society was present.
Chairman Lazieh questioned the licensee about the incident that took place at the establishment.
Mr. Bergeron stated that there was a fight between 2 people who were attending the party. He stated that there was a detail on duty at the time and
he explained that the bartender closed the bar. He said the incident was over as fast as it started. He also stated that everyone was vacated from the building.
Councilwoman Canavan asked about the number of people attending the party.
Mr. Bergeron responded.
Councilman Noury asked what officer was on duty when the incident took place.
Sgt. Maloney commented on what transpired.
Discussion ensued.
Chairman Lazieh stated that he only received one complaint about loud noise and that remedies were being taken. He stated that the incident would be filed in the record and he hopes not to be seeing the licensees again.
B. Good Friends Inc. d/b/a Splash Snack Bar-548 Lonsdale Ave., C.F. to discuss incident that occurred on November 25, 2000.
Maria Lomas was present and stated that she was tending the bar at the time. She explained the how the incident occurred and she commented that she immediately called the police.
Councilwoman Canavan asked how much the person had to drink.
Ms. Lomas responded that they had only about one or two bottles of beer apiece and that they were not drunk at the time.
Discussion ensued.
Chairman Lazieh stated that he received only two complaints regarding parking. He stated that it was most appropriate for the owner to call the police about the incident.
Councilman Noury that Ms. Lomas made some type of attempt to keep order at the establishment by calling the Police.
Ms. Lomas stated that she has security at the door on Friday & Saturdays and he is paid by the hour.
Councilwoman Canavan complimented the applicant and stated that she did the right thing.
Chairman Lazieh commented on the parking and asked her to monitor the parking.
She responded that she would do the best she can.
Chairman Lazieh stated that the incident would be place in the record and filed.
6. Transfer Class Bv License
Chairman Lazieh returned to Item #6:
Hester's Place Inc.
d/b/a Hester's Place
768 Broad St. C.F.
to
RCM Corp
d/b/a Acuarius Night Club
768 Broad St. C.F.
Michael F. Horan, 393 Armistice Blvd. Pawtucket, R.I. representing the applicant RCM Corp.
Mark Welch, 75 Park Place, Pawtucket R.I. representing Gerard Heroux & L. Heroux & Sons.
Attorney Horan addressed the Board and stated that they are requesting the transfer of Class Bv Liquor License, dance and entertainment license previously held by Hester's Place Inc.
Chairman Lazieh interjected and stated that the only license before the Board is the Liquor License and all other licenses would be handled the City Council.
Attorney Horan stated that the applicants currently reside in Patterson NJ but that they will become residents upon the approval of the licenses.
Mrs. Ortiz was present and stated through her Attorney her experience in the liquor business and that she is currently operating a business in New Jersey.
Councilman Noury questioned the applicant on the type of business the applicant would run there.
Mr. Ortiz responded that they are planning entertainment by bringing groups from Colombia.
Councilman Noury commented on his concerns about the change of use. He stated that although the establishment is zoned in the commercial area it is very close to residential area and he is concerned about loud noise, and loud music. He commented on the license that was revoked and asked that it be put in the record that the entertainment part is an issue.
Chairman Lazieh opened the meeting to a Public Hearing.
Mark Welch representing Gerard Heroux only objects to the extent as to what type of operation that is going to be run from the establishment and he would ask that the motion be made clear that this is only a neighborhood bar.
Mike Fish of the Christian Life Center, the Church across the street, stated the problem the Church has had with broken glass from beer bottles, he commented on Friday evenings and the regular patrons at the bar relative to the assembly.
Mayor Matthews addressed the Board speaking as Public Safety Director. He stated that he had 3 points to make-one that he's received several calls about concerns relative to music and noise. He stated that this is a neighborhood bar and that it is not a nightclub and if the Board approves the transfer this should be made clear. He stated that he wants to support the transfer and he thinks its great that the applicants will move to the City and he wishes them all the success but that it needs to be stressed that this is a neighborhood bar.
Discussion ensued.
Public Hearing closed.
Councilman Noury asked Attorney Horan that if the entertainment license is not before the Council does the applicant still want the Bv License.
Attorney Horan stated he wanted to confer with his clients before answering not prepared to answer.
Motion to approve the transfer of the Class Bv License was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Noury.
Councilman Noury stated that he would support the transfer with the understanding that this will be a neighborhood bar and that is why he seconded the motion. He commented on the other issues to be taken up by the Council.
Councilman Leger yes
Councilman Canavan yes
Councilman Noury yes
Councilman Robichaud yes
Councilman Lazieh yes
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 1 absent.
Councilwoman Canavan commented on the applicant's residence and when the transfer can take place.