Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners.
July 7, 1993.
A regular session of the Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners is held Wednesday, July 7, 1993, at seven thirty o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, Pawtucket, RI. All the Members are present and Chairman Barry presides.
The reading of the Records of June 23, 1993, is dispensed with and the Records are approved as prepared by the Clerk.
A Public Hearing is held on the following application for license advertised for this time:
CLASS B (Victualer) - REQUESTING CHANGE FROM CLASS C LIQUOR LICENSE
Benefit Street Pub Inc., 433 1/2 Benefit St LIC #163
Speaking in favor is William Burke, Attorney, 75 Park Place, Pawtucket, representing the applicant Lisa Moreau, 30 Forest View Drive, Cumberland, RI.
Mr. Burke states that the Rhode Island Health Department has inspected the premises and has approved the kitchen facilities. Mr. Burke also states that the Pawtucket Fire Department has approved the facility.
Ms. Moreau states that the Bar will be open on Sundays from 12 Noon until 1:00 a.m. She states that this is necessary for added revenue and will push added food services. She states that she has owned the business since February, 1990, and has no records of any complaints. There will be no entertainment, only a juke box.
Ms. Moreau also states that her last name on this license should be changed from Kinch to Moreau.
Speaking in opposition is Christine Marketos, 444 Benefit Street, Pawtucket, RI.
Ms. Marketos states that the owners of the Benefit Street Pub never corrected the noise problem. Also, people leave the establishment carrying bottles.
Ms. Marketos submits a petition containing six signatures opposing the change in the liquor license.
Ms. Marketos states that the conditions are worse because the door is continuously open, and people leave the bar drunk. There is no parking available, and two cars have been hit on Benefit Street. She states that she has called the police three to four times in the last month because of noise and fights. There is also a problem with people urinating in the Street.
Ms. Moreau states that she works one night per week and her parents are in on the other nights. She states that they check for rowdiness and will ensure that the door is kept closed. She states that they have stopped people from leaving with bottles and have made parking arrangements with the muffler shop nearby for use after 8:00 p.m. Ms. Moreau states that there are no records of police reports.
There are no other speakers.
The hearing is closed.
Upon Motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Calista, the following application for license is LAID ON THE TABLE on a unanimous voice vote:
CLASS B (Victualer) - REQUESTING CHANGE FROM CLASS C LIQUOR LICENSE
Benefit Street Pub Inc., 433 1/2 Benefit St LIC #163
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MORAN.
With majority consent of the Council, the following Motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Calista, is passed on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Captain Patrick J. McConaghy, Pawtucket Police Department, requesting a computer log of all calls and complaints since October of 1992 regarding the Benefit Street Pub, 433 1/2 Benefit Street, Pawtucket, or in the immediate vicinity.
A Public Hearing is held on the following application for license advertised for this time:
CLASS B (Victualer)
Leader Restaurant Corporation d/b/a Hong Kong Islander (transfer from C & Z Corporation d/b/a Golden China Restaurant) 270 Dexter St LIC #162
Speaking in favor is Widdy Ho, Attorney, 72 Kneeland Street, Boston, MA.
Ms. Ho is representing the applicants. She states that there are two major stockholders and together they have 30 years experience in the business. They will operate the same type of restaurant as the previous owner with added specials.
Ms. Ho submits four letter of reference.
Ms. Ho states that the hours will be pretty much the same. There is no bar area and liquor is primarily served with meals.
There are no other speakers.
The hearing is closed.
Upon Motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Kinder, the following application for transfer is APPROVED on a unanimous voice vote, pending the Clearance of all necessary documents:
CLASS B (Victualer)
Leader Restaurant Corporation d/b/a Hong Kong Islander (transfer from C & Z Corporation d/b/a Golden China Restaurant) 270 Dexter St LIC #162
THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION FOR LICENSE WAS LAID ON THE TABLE AT THE MEETING HELD JUNE 23, 1993, AND IS WITHDRAWN AT THE REQUEST OF APPLICANT WITHOUT PREJUDICE:
CLASS F (Beer & Wine)
Employees Association of OSRAM Sylvania Co., (formerly GTE) to sell beer & wine at the Annual Family Picnic to be held at Slater Park, on Saturday, July 31, 1993, from 12 Noon until 6:00 PM. LIC #29
THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION FOR LICENSE WAS LAID ON THE TABLE AT THE MEETING HELD JUNE 23, 1993, AND IS AGAIN TAKEN UP:
A Wish Come True to sell beer & wine at a Fund Raiser Softball Tournament at Slater Park on Friday, August 20, Saturday, August 21, Sunday, August 22, 1993. LIC #31
Representing “A Wish Come True” are Rosemary Bowers, 1845 Post Road, Warwick, RI; and, Thomas Scanlon, 88 Rosemere Road, Pawtucket, RI.
Ms. Bowers states that “A Wish Come True” is a 501-C-3 Corporation, and has a $1 Million dollar insurance policy. She states there have never been problems at this event. The area is cleaned up. She states that this tournament has always been in Pawtucket.
Mr. Scanlon states that they do not advertise beer except at the stand, and he feels that adults should be allowed to have a beer.
Ms. Bowers states that several other items are served besides beer.
Mr. Scanlon states that beer sales bring in around $200. The total expected in revenue from this event is between $8000 - $12,000 and $200 means a lot to a child.
Captain Patrick McConaghy, Pawtucket Police Department, reiterates the Police Department’s position against sales of alcohol at public facilities.
Upon Motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Clement, the following petition for license is DENIED on a roll call vote, as follows:
Ayes - President Barry, Councilors Bray, Calista, Clement, Doyle, Kinder, Moran and Vieira.
Noes - Councilor Rabbitt.
CLASS F (Beer & Wine)
A Wish Come True to sell beer & wine at a Fund Raiser Softball Tournament at Slater Park on Friday, August 20, Saturday, August 21, Sunday, August 22, 1993. LIC #31
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VIEIRA.
With majority consent of the Council, the following Motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Kinder is passed on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is requested to ask the Law Department to prepare an ordinance or resolution, whichever is necessary, to prohibit the use of alcohol in all city parks and recreational facilities.
State of Rhode Island, Liquor Control Administration, submitting decision in the matter of the Lily Social Club Inc (Class D Liquor License is REVOKED and license to be surrendered to the City of Pawtucket) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VIEIRA.
With majority consent of the Council, the following Motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Clement, is passed on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to have an ordinance prepared reducing the number of Class D liquor licenses by one (1).
City Solicitor submitting an Order of the State of Rhode Island, Liquor Control Administration regarding Jan’s Place, (Liquor License shall be reinstated for the sole purpose of allowing a subsequent owner to purchase the premises along with the licenses associated with said business) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VIEIRA.
With majority consent of the Council, the following Motion made by Councilor Vieira seconded by Councilor Kinder, is passed on a unanimous voice vote:
If Jan’s Place has not paid its renewal fees, the Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Jan’s Place informing the applicant that the renewal fees must be paid within thirty days.
Upon Motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Kinder, the meeting is adjourned at eight thirty-five o’clock p.m.