Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners.
September 19, 1990.
A regular session of the Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners is held Wednesday, September 19, 1990, at eight fifteen o’clock p.m. All the members are present except Councilmembers Robert Lynch and Rabbitt; and Chairman Houle presides.
The reading of the records of September 5, 1990, is dispensed with and the records are approved as prepared by the Clerk.
Communication from Gerald S. Goldstein, Liquor Control Administrator, setting November 7, 1990, for hearing in the matter of Class A liquor license transfer of Patricia Musone d/b/a National Liquors is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
Communication from Gerald S. Goldstein, Liquor Control Administrator, setting November 28, 1990, for hearing in the matter of the Suspension of Class A Liquor license of Portugalia Liquor Co. Inc., 225-227 Barton Street, is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
Copy of Stay issued by the Rhode Island Liquor Control Administrator in the matter of Class A liquor license suspension of Portugalia Liquors, is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
Copy of Communication from Gerald J. Pouliot, Assistant City Solicitor, regarding the Stay issued to Portugalia Liquors, is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILMAN VIEIRA.
With majority consent of the Council, the following Motion made by Councilman Vieira, seconded by Councilman Kinder, is passed on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to the Liquor Control Administrator, Gerald Goldstein, requesting that the Stay issued to Portugalia Liquors be recinded immediately as the information listed in the reason for the Stay is inaccurate and incomplete. The Council further requests a response in time for the October 10, 1990, meeting of the Board of License Commissioners.
A Public Hearing is held on the following application advertised for this time:
CLASS B (VICTUALER)
33RD Inning Pub Inc. (transfer from Manuel & Charles Catarina d/b/a M & C Grille, 367-369 Main Street)
176 Meadow Street (previous location of the Monitor Club) LIC #154
Speaking in favor is Michael F. Horan, Attorney, 393 Armistice Blvd., Pawtucket, representing applicants John Pine, 62 Rhode Island Avenue, Pawtucket; and Leo Donovan, Jr. 41 Jackson Street, Cumberland.
Mr. Horan states that there has been a liquor license at this location for years. The Monitor Club lost its lease in June, 1990.
The applicants are lifelong residents of Pawtucket. Mr. Donovan was previously affiliated with the Monitor Club.
There is no intention of changing the type of business as has been there for years.
Mr. Pine worked for the Monitor Club for years and he knows of no complaints.
Lack of parking space is discussed; and it is stated that there have been no past problems.
The establishment will not be enlarged and it will hold the same number of persons in the building as was previous. The hours of operation will be 11 AM - 12 Midnight.
Councilman Barry questions Mr. Pine regarding complaints from neighbors.
Mr. Pine states that he recalls one complaint during the 10 years he worked at the Club. Mr. Dubrueil, the former owner, will not be affiliated with the new corporation.
SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION:
Robert Brady, Attorney, 164 Airport Road, Warwick, RI.
Mr. Brady states he is representing a number of residents in the immediate area within 200 of the establishment and also outside this radius. Mr. Brady states that there is a petition in opposition being circulated among the property owners within 200’, which is incomplete at this time, and request the Council to Table this matter until the petition is presented.
Mr. Brady states that the previous license was a Class D (Club) and the petition before the Council is for a Class B (Victualer), which is very different; i.e., hours of operation and a full kitchen.
Major concern is lack of off-street parking and a change in Class (of license) will intensify traffic and the number of people going to the Club.
The applicants respond that there will be no entertainment, no extended hours, no change in business or enlargement.
Mr. Brady states that this is a residential neighborhood and there is a great deal of children in the area.
Mr. Brady again requests that this matter be Tabled due to the fact that 50% of the property owners object and will provide a petition at the next Council meeting.
Mr. Brady states that the objection would not be as strenuous if the liquor license remained a Class D.
Councilman Calista stated that the Council could place restrictions on the Class B license to make it tantamount to a Class D.
Dr. Demetri Ganam, 90 Varnum Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.
Dr. Ganam states that he owns neighboring property and does not feel this is an appropriate location for a liquor license. Parking is a problem, and it is a family neighborhood.
Nocenzo Vanti, 177 Meadow Street. Mr. Vanti states that he has lived next to the bar for 77 years. He states there is noise, swearing, etc., people outside sometimes on Saturdays after 1 AM, no parking, and fears that the fire department would not be able to get to an emergency due to all the cars parked on the street.
Walter Turkiw, 160 Meadow St. Mr. Turkiw states that he has lived there for 28 years. It was orginally a bar for a small number of men to stop and have a beer. It was for members only. This new type of license will create more parking problems, more fights, swearing, etc.
Paulette Anderson, 10 Young Street. Ms. Anderson refers to the petition of signatures within the 200’ radius of the establishment and states she needs more time to submit the petition and asks Councilman Barry if time will be given to submit the petition.
Councilman Barry replies yes.
Ms. Anderson submits letters in opposition. She states she is concerned about what will happen months from now and the parking problem is her major concern. Patrons of the Club block in the tenants of the apartment building that she lives in and she is concerned with the change from a Class D to a Class B (Victualer).
Mr. Hernandes, 185 Meadow Street. Mr. Hernandes states that patrons of the Monitor Club have mistaken his home for the club on several occasions. Patrons have blocked his driveway, and would like to have some consideration.
Mr. Tavares, 192 Meadow Street. Mr. Tavares states the problem is parking on Meadow Street, this is worse when the Pawsox are playing.
There are no other speakers.
The hearing is closed.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILMAN BARRY.
With majority consent of the Council, Councilman Barry requests that this application be Laid on the Table for the following reasons:
1. Did not have copy of application before hand
2. Was out of town for the last two weeks and had not had time to look into this matter
3. Needs more time to talk to the neighbors and applicants.
Upon Motion made by Councilman Barry, seconded by Councilman Kinder, the following application is LAID ON THE TABLE on a unanimous voice vote:
CLASS B (VICTUALER)
33RD Inning Pub Inc. (transfer from Manuel & Charles Catarina d/b/a M & C Grille, 367-369 Main Street)
176 Meadow Street (previous location of the Monitor Club) LIC #154
The following PETITION FOR LICENSE is GRANTED on a unanimous voice vote:
CLASS F (BEER & WINE)
Leroy Community Concerts Assoc., to serve beer and wine at a Concert (Boogie Down Productions & Dean Ice, DJ.) at the Leroy Theatre, Broad Street, on Saturday, October 13, 1990, from 7 PM - 11 PM. LIC #21
Upon Motion made by Councilman Barry seconded by Councilman Kinder, the meeting is adjourned at nine o’clock p.m.