PAWTUCKET BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS
September 9, 1998
A regular session of the Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners is held Wednesday, September 9, 1998, at eight thirty-five o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, Pawtucket, RI. All the members are present except Councilor Carr; Chairman Barry presides.
The reading of the records of August 19, 1998, is dispensed with and the records are approved as prepared by the Clerk.
An INFORMAL HEARING regarding the following Class B (Victualer) liquor license, is taken up:
Caribbean Entertainment, Inc., (Cosmopolitan Club,) 25 Roosevelt Avenue
The first speaker is Natalie Brodeur, representing the Tenants of Towers East Senior Citizens Association.
Ms. Brodeur states that she lives in the front of the building, across the street from the Club. Her main complaint is the loud noise caused by the customers of the Cosmopolitan Club, particularly on Sunday evenings, sometimes until 3:00 a.m.; and there are parking problems all over the neighborhood.
COUNCILOR CARR ARRIVES AT 8:40 PM.
Ms. Brodeur also states that the owners of the Club had promised to hire enough police to handle the situation, but on many occasion there are not enough police.
The next speaker is Richard Cavanaugh, resident of Towers East.
Mr. Cavanaugh states that President Barry joined him Sunday evening at 12 Midnight and saw first hand the problems at the Club which include, loud noise, customers urinating outside the building, not enough police are hired, and doors to the Club are left open
Council President Barry states that loud noise was a big problem on that evening. The noise could be heard past Towers East and he feels this is a serious problem.
The next speaker is Captain Stephen Ormerod.
Captain Ormerod states the main concerns for the police department are:
1. No detail officers on some nights. This is a huge concern and a costly expense to the city, when additional officers have to be sent to the establishment.
2. One officer is not enough for 300 - 400 people. This is a dangerous situation for one officer.
3. Noise is a big problem - coming from the establishment as well as from cars when patrons are leaving.
4. Beer containers left on sidewalks in front of area businesses.
5. Not enough detail officers on Sunday nights.
Captain Ormerod states that on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend there were over 650 people at the Club. The occupancy permit allows up to 440.
Captain Ormerod states there are also parking problems; however, he feels that all these problems can be corrected.
Commander George Kelley states that the cost to the police department, due to the number of calls which they respond to at the Club in overtime, is over the $1000.00 mark.
The next speaker is Michael F. Horan, attorney representing the applicant.
Mr. Horan states that Michael O’Brien , owner of the Cosmopolitan Club, acknowledges the problems and is making efforts to resolve them and is working to control the situation. He further states that Mr. O’Brien wants to cooperate with the Council and neighbors to work this problem out.
There are no other speakers.
The informal hearing is closed at 9:02 p.m.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR CARR.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Carr, on behalf of President Barry, seconded by Councilor Grebien, PLACING THE FOLLOWOING STIPULATIONS on the Class B (Victualer) liquor license of the Caribbean Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a Cosmopolitan Club, 25 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, Rl, is passed on a unanimous voice vote:
1. Any night the Club is open, excluding “Hip Hop” or “Urban” nights, one (1) police officer for every 100 patrons, minimum of two (2) officers shall be hired.
2. Sunday nights “Hip Hop” or Urban” nights, seven (7) detail officers for Roosevelt Avenue, with additional two (2) officers for East Avenue, shall be hired.
3. Music shall be turned off by 12:45 a.m. Premises and surrounding area to be cleared by 1:45 a.m.
4. All police details shall be for the hours of 10:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m.
Communication from Det. Lt. Douglas W. Clary to Captain John Whiting, Liquor Control Officer, regarding, police detail at the Cosmopolitan Club (July 19, 1998) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
Communication from Richard E. DeLyon, Chief of Police, to Council President John J. Barry, III. (Activity report - Club Cosmopolitan - August 14, 15, 16, 1998) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
Communication from Captain Stephen P. Ormerod to Commander George Kelley, III. (Activity report - Club Cosmopolitan - August 21, 22, 23, 1998) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
Communication from Captain Stephen P. Ormerod to Commander George Kelley, III. (Activity report - Club Cosmopolitan - August 28, 29, 30, 1998) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
Claim of Arcaro, Belilove, and Kolodney, Attorneys at Law, objecting to the transfer of Class B (Victualer) liquor license of TEP Restaurant Inc., d/b/a Timothy’s Place) 47 Mendon Avenue to The New Archie’s Inc., d/b/a Archie’s in the total amount of $4,591.15 is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
A Public Hearing is held on the following application for license, advertised for this time:
CLASS B (Victualer)
The New Archie’s Inc., d/b/a Archie’s (transfer from TEP Restaurant Inc., d/b/a Timothy’s Place) 47 Mendon Avenue LIC#244
Speaking in favor and representing the applicant is Attorney David McKenna.
Mr. McKenna requests that the Council approve this license. He states that his clients will fix the property and feels that this is a good thing for the city.
There will be between 10 - 20 people employed. He states his clients want to run a quality establishment. A manager will be hired to run the business.
In response to questions from Councilor Wildenhain, Mr. Mark Pierce, applicant responds that he has hired someone with 20 years experience. The business will be run as a restaurant and not as a night club. If any entertainment were to be provided, it would be nothing more than a piano.
The next speaker is Robert Burkelhammer, attorney, representing TEP Inc.,
Mr. Burkelhammer requests a condition to approving the transfer be upon the closing of the sale of the property.
There are no other speakers.
The hearing is closed
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN.
With majority consent of the Council, upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Hoyas, the following application for license transfer is GRANTED, on a unanimous voice vote, pending the settlement of all outstanding claims and upon providing proof of sale of the property to The New Archie’s Inc.
CLASS B (Victualer)
The New Archie’s Inc., d/b/a Archie’s (transfer from TEP Restaurant Inc., d/b/a Timothy’s Place) 47 Mendon Avenue LIC#244
Communication from Domenic Tortolano, Jr., of The Theater Tap, 567 Smithfield Avenue requesting permission to set up tables and chairs in parking lot to conduct a “Steak Fry” for the benefit of the Summertime Fund on Saturday, September 19, 1998, from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
REQUEST IS GRANTED WITH THE FOLLOWING STIPULATIONS:
1. Any and all beverages accompanying a meal will be served in a paper cup.
2. No entertainment allowed.
3. No bar set up outside shall be allowed.
Upon motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Grebien, the meeting is adjourned at nine thirty-one o’clock p.m.