Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners
December 7, 2005
A regular session of the Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners is held Wednesday, December 7, 2005, at 7:25 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.
Present – Chairman Grebien; Councilors Bray, Carr, Clemente, Hodge, Moran, Vitali and Wildenhain.
Absent – Councilor Barry.
Chairman Grebien presides.
The reading of the records of November 22, 2005, is dispensed with and the records are approved as prepared by the Clerk.
A public hearing on the following application for license which was advertised for a hearing at this time, is taken up:
CLASS D (New)
Juventude Caboverdeana Soccer Club, 593 Weeden Street, Unit #9, LIC#10358
Speaking in favor is Tiago Monteiro, representing Juventude Caboverdeana Soccer Club.
Mr. Monteiro states that the Soccer Club has been at the 595 Weeden Street location for 5 years.
They are requesting this liquor license in an effort to raise money to fund the soccer teams, and travel expenses. Mr. Monteiro also states that he has been a soccer coach for 20 years.
Councilor Clemente asks if the purpose of this liquor license is to raise money.
Mr. Monteiro responds “yes.”
Speaking in opposition is Rich Proulx, 18 Hazel Street, Pawtucket, RI.
Mr. Proux states that this building is also on Hazel Street as well as Weeden Street. He states that the patrons of the soccer club are causing parking problems in the neighborhood, blocking driveways of homes, and parking in driveways. Noise in the early morning hours is a large problem, as well as patrons urinating in public. This building already has 4 businesses at that address. Further, Saturday night is the worst night for the neighborhood and he does not feel this is the place for another liquor license.
Speaking in opposition is Cheryl Dupre, 24 Hazel Street, Pawtucket, RI.
Ms. Dupre states that she lives next door to Mr. Proulx and agrees with everything Mr. Proulx stated. Ms. Dupre states that the soccer club’s patrons cause disturbances in the neighborhood as late as 3:00 a.m. They cause parking problems and she has had her driveway block on numerous occasions.
She has called the police department on numerous accessions.
Ms. Dupre states that this business is on the Hazel Street side and it has a nightclub atmosphere. She is opposed to any liquor license to the soccer club. She states that they can find other ways to raise money. Further, this building already has 2 liquor licenses in it.
Speaking in opposition is John Bliss, 32 Hazel Street, Pawtucket, RI.
Mr. Bliss states that he is a neighbor of this establishment and the noise is terrible. There is no parking and the noise on the weekends is all night long. He states that the patrons do not care and the city doesn’t need another drinking establishment. He states the kids of the adults in the club are running all over the streets when there is a function.
The next speaker is Joe Muncey, 24 Hazel Street, Pawtucket, RI.
Mr. Muncey agrees with the previous speakers. He has seen patrons urinating in the open, the noise is very loud, there is parking in peoples drive-ways. Mr. Muncey states that he does not want another liquor license at this location.
Mr. Francisco states that his group is gone by 10 p.m. There is a large parking lot in the back and he disagrees with all the complains of the neighbors. He states the problems are not coming from his business, it is the other businesses that are causing the problems. He states the soccer club never has a problem, it is the liquor store. His people are respectful.
Councilor Clemente asks why alcohol is the only way to raise money for the soccer club, why not more traditional ways to raise money, why is an alcoholic license a fund raising tool?
Mr. Francisco states that all the other soccer clubs that his teams compete with in other states have liquor licenses, and it gives the hosting team a place to invite everyone back to. He disputes what the neighbors have said.
There are no other speakers.
The hearing is closed.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR CLEMENTE.
Upon motion made by Councilor Clemente, seconded by Councilor Wildenhain, the following license is DENIED on a unanimous voice vote:
CLASS D (New)
Juventude Caboverdeana Soccer Club, 593 Weeden Street, Unit #9, LIC#10358
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR CLEMENTE.
With majority consent of the Council the following motion made by Councilor Clemente, seconded by Councilor Hodge is passed on a unanimous voice vote:
The clerk is instructed to send a communication to George L. Kelley, III, Chief of Police, requesting an activity report for calls made to 593 Weeden Street, Unit #9.
Upon motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Hodge, the meeting is adjourned at 7:55 p.m.