PAWTUCKET BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS
May 6, 1998
A regular session of the Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners is held Wednesday, May 6, 1998, at eight twenty 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 April 22, 1998, is dispensed with and the records are approved as prepared by the Clerk.
The following application for license was LAID ON THE TABLE at the meeting held April 8, 1998, and is again taken up:
CLASS B (Victualer)
Paradise Club LLC d/b/a Paradise Club, 250 Main Street (Transfer from Gabe’s Sports Pub Inc., previously located at 945-947 Mineral Spring Avenue) LIC#238.
Speaking in favor is John Sabatini, Attorney, 716 Central Avenue, Pawtucket, RI, representing applicant.
Mr. Sabatini states that the applicant has addressed the concerns the Council had at the meeting held April 8, 1998, and submits a revised floor plan of the building.
Mr. Sabatini states that the only level that will be used is the first level (street level), which changes the capacity from 500 people to 300 people. He states that this is approximately a 40% reduction in the seating capacity.
Mr. Sabatini states that he met with Commander Kelley and after several meetings the Commander agreed that three officers would be sufficient to begin with on those evenings when live entertainment was provided and would be increased as needed.
Mr. Sabatini states that the Commander does not want officers inside the establishment, they are to be stationed at the door and other areas outside the building.
Mr. Sabatini states that the applicant met with Lt. Gordon Duquenoy, Fire Prevention Officer and will meet the specifications needed to meet the fire codes; i.e., installing a fire door for egress.
Mr. Sabatini states that he met with some residents of Towers East and Northern Plaza. He states that the overwhelming impression he received was not in opposition.
Some residents expressed a need to have a place in the afternoon or early evening to go to and a piano bar was well received.
Mr. Sabatini states that the applicant wants to be a good neighbor to the area residents.
Concerns with the type of music were raised. Some types of music will be ethnic as well as jazz, show bands, Boston and New York groups etc.
Mr. Sabatini states the parking issue was addressed. He explains that this establishment is in a CD zone and this type of zone does not mandate parking for eating establishments.
He states that he counted 44 places on Park Place-School Administration lot; there is ample parking in the municipal garage and he feels parking will not be a problem. He believes they will be in accordance with city ordinances.
Councilor Hodge states that this is primarily a night club/restaurant business and parking on Main Street is not the answer to having ample parking spaces.
Mr. Sabatini states that the kitchen will be expanded and part of the area will be used for the piano bar.
After questions from President Barry, Mr. Sabatini states that he spoke to Commander Kelley about ten days ago.
A President Barry state that he spoke to Commander Kelley within the past five days and the Commander has concerns regarding the three officers previously mentioned for a detail and is not endorsing this matter.
Councilor Hodge states that he is concerned with the rear access fire issue. He states that there are only two very small exits for 300 people with one exit going to the garage.
Councilor Wildenhain states that there is a security issue.
The next speaker is Elizabeth Beckett, 301 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI
Ms. Beckett states that she resides at Northern Plaza and organized a meeting with the applicants. Only 30 people out of about 100 attended. She contacted, by telephone, some of the residents who were not at the meeting and some were opposed. She is skeptical herself, fears narcotics and prostitution in the nightclub environment.
The next speaker is Helen Laurence, 75 East Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.
Ms. Laurence lives at Towers East. She states that there is nothing in the city after 3:00 p.m. and thinks that a piano bar would be nice. She is skeptical about the bands from New York and Boston. She also states that the residents of Towers East are about 50% in favor and 50% against.
The next speaker is Sgt. Edward St. Pierre, Pawtucket Police Department.
Sgt. St. Pierre states that he was requested by Commander Kelley to attend this meeting.
Sgt. St. Pierre states that the Commander had a number of concerns with this establishment and requested the sergeant to study this location and report his findings, which are as follows:
1. Lack of safe & adequate parking
2. Police officials were unaware of any meetings
3. Have not heard from business owners on this issue
4. Inadequate security lighting
5. Lack on monitoring systems.
Sgt. St.Pierre reads from a prepared report entitled “Physical Security Survey & Crime Prevention Assessment.”
Sgt. St. Pierre also states that allowing this business to use the parking garage this presents a liability risk for the city.
Sgt. St. Pierre finishes by stating that if the applicant implemented all the recommendations in his report, he could see no reason why this business could not obtain a license. He further states that this would be a positive step for the businesses in the area.
Mr. Sabatini states that he would like an opportunity to see the report and asks the Council to wait before rendering a decision.
There are no other speakers.
The hearing is closed.
CHAIRMAN BARRY STEPS DOWN FROM THE CHAIR.
VICE-CHAIRMAN VIEIRA PRESIDES.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR BARRY.
Councilor Barry asks the Board to deny this license based on the public health, welfare and safety issues brought out during this hearing.
Upon motion made by Councilor Barry, seconded by councilor Hodge, the following application for license transfer is DENIED, based on the following:
PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE, AND SAFETY ISSUES
CLASS B (Victualer)
Paradise Club LLC d/b/a Paradise Club, 250 Main Street (Transfer from Gabe’s Sports Pub Inc., previously located at 945-947 Mineral Spring Avenue) LIC#238.
CHAIRMAN BARRY AGAIN PRESIDES.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VIEIRA.
With majority consent of the Council, Councilor Vieira introduces the following claim:
Claim of Arcaro, Belilove, and Kolodney, Attorneys at Law, objecting to the transfer of Class A liquor license of International Liquors Inc., 915 Main Street to Emidio S. & Maria Alves d/b/a International Liquors in the amount of $68.15.
Upon motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Hodge, the following claim is READ AND ORDERED FILED:
Claim of Arcaro, Belilove, and Kolodney, Attorneys at Law, objecting to the transfer of Class A liquor license of International Liquors Inc., 915 Main Street to Emidio S. & Maria Alves d/b/a International Liquors in the amount of $68.15.
A Public Hearing is held on the following application for license advertised for this time:
CLASS A
Emidio S & Maria M Alves d/b/a International Liquors (transfer from International Liquors Inc.) 915 Main Street LIC#241.
Speaking in favor is Raymond DeMarco, Elmwood Avenue, Cranston, RI, representing applicant.
Mr. DeMarco states that the applicants are TIPS trained.
Councilor Bray asks if the applicants have ever owned this type of business.
Mr. Alves states that he has experience from when he lived in Cape Verde. Now he is working in a factory. His wife will work full time and he will work at the liquor store part-time.
The hours will be 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM. Summer hours will be 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM.
Mr. Alves states that he is aware of prior problems with underage sales and drinking outside the building.
The next speaker is Jose Palavra, 67 Capitol Street, Pawtucket, RI.
Mr. Palavra states that he has known Mr. Alves for a long time and supports his request for a liquor license. Mr. Palavra states that he will help Mr. Alves in his business and asks the Council to approve the license.
The next speaker is Eduardo Rodrigues, 146 Kenyon Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.
Mr. Rodrigues states that he has known the applicant for a long time and asks the Council to approve this license.
There are no other speakers.
The hearing is closed.
Upon motion made by Councilor Bray, seconded by Councilor Hodge, the following application for license is GRANTED on a unanimous voice vote, PENDING THE SETTLEMENT OF ALL OUTSTANDING CLAIMS:
CLASS A
Emidio S & Maria M Alves d/b/a International Liquors (transfer from International Liquors Inc.) 915 Main Street LIC#241.
Claim of Arcaro, Belilove, and Kolodney, Attorneys at Law, objecting to the transfer of Class A liquor license of Walsh Liquors, Inc. 246 Broadway to Rick’s Liquors, Inc., in the amount of $1,392.28 is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VIEIRA.
With majority consent of the Council, Councilor Vieira submits the following communication:
Claim of McLaughlin & Moran, Inc., objecting to the transfer of Class A liquor license of Walsh Liquors Inc., 246 Broadway to Rick’s Liquors, Inc., in the amount of $17,995.94.
Upon motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Carr, the following communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED:
Claim of McLaughlin & Moran, Inc., objecting to the transfer of Class A liquor license of Walsh Liquors Inc., 246 Broadway to Rick’s Liquors, Inc., in the amount of $17,995.94.
A Public Hearing is held on the following application advertised for this time:
CLASS A
Rick’s Liquors, Inc., (transfer from Walsh Liquors Inc.) 746 Broadway LIC#240
Speaking in favor is Richard Lanoue, 13 Julia Drive, North Providence, RI, applicant.
Speaking in favor is William F. Walsh, Jr., 20 Tingley Street, Pawtucket, RI.
Mr. Walsh states that Rick has been running the store for the past year, he knows the business and is doing a good job.
Mr. Lanoue states that there are five part-time employees, and he is full time. Mr. Lanoue states that he previously owned a restaurant in Arkansas. The hours of operation will be 9:00 AM-10:00 PM, Monday-Saturday.
Also, he is scheduled for a TIPS training session on May 20, 1998, and will have all employees TIPS certified.
There are no other speakers.
The hearing is closed.
Upon motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Hodge, the application for license transfer is GRANTED on a unanimous voice vote, SUBJECT TO THE PAYMENT OF ALL OUTSTANDING CLAIMS:
CLASS A
Rick’s Liquors, Inc., (transfer from Walsh Liquors Inc.) 746 Broadway LIC#240
A Public Hearing is held on the following application for license advertised for this time:
CLASS B (Victualer)
Fidjos DiDjabraba (transfer from Roosevelt’s on the River Inc.) 682-684 Roosevelt Avenue LIC#239
Speaking in favor is Joseph Lamagna, Attorney, 716 Central Avenue, Pawtucket, RI, representing the applicant.
Speaking in favor is Albertino Vicente, Board of Directors and Liaison Officer.
Mr. Vicente states that the Cape Verdean’s work to upgrade the community and asks for approval of this license. He states that the business will serve the Cape Verdean Community, will hold fundraisers, social gatherings, etc. Its primary goal is the betterment of the Cape. Verdean Community.
After questioning from Councilor Moran, Mr. Vicente states that there are approximately 300 members and the Club is working to expand its membership.
The Social Club will open on a daily basis, the lower level will be used by members only, the upper level is open to the public.
The hours of operation will be 5:00 PM - 1:00 AM; 12 Noon-1:00 AM on
The Club is run on a volunteer basis by the members. The 15 Directors are all involved. All bartenders will be TIPS certified.
Mr. Vicente states that he sees to need for security at this time; however, as activities progress, this will be addressed.
Mr. Vicente also states that an entertainment license is necessary for its fundraisers, weddings, etc. The music will be with a DJ or may also be with live music.
There are no other speakers.
The hearing is closed.
Upon motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Hodge, the following application of license transfer is GRANTED on a unanimous voice vote:
CLASS B (Victualer)
Fidjos DiDjabraba (transfer from Roosevelt’s on the River Inc.) 682-684 Roosevelt Avenue LIC#239
Upon motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Hodge, the meeting is adjourned at nine forty-two o’clock p.m.