Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners
January 20, 2010
A regular session of the Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners is held Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 6:57 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.
Present – Chairperson Kinch, Councilors Barros, Barry, Chadwick, Hodge, Moran, Tetreault and Vitali.
Absent – Councilor Wildenhain.
Chairperson Kinch presides.
The reading of the records of January 6, 2010 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 A
Nova Sintra USA Inc., d/b/a Lonsdale Liquors Wine & Spirits, (transfer from Jorica Liquors LLC d/b/a Lonsdale Wine & Spirits) 465 Lonsdale Avenue, LIC#5479
Speaking in favor is Manuel Gomes, 1132 Church Street, St. Helena, CA
Mr. Gomes is speaking on behalf of his wife, who is in California.
Mr. Gomes’ wife will be in charge of the store.
They want to be a part of the community.
She will keep the current employees.
Mr. Gomes is working to open a market, which will employ 4-5 people.
There are no other speakers.
The Hearing is closed.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR CHADWICK.
With majority consent of the Council, Councilor Chadwick introduces the following communication:
Communication from McLaughlin & Moran, Inc., to Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners, objecting to the transfer of Class A Liquor License of Jorica Liquors LLC d/b/a Lonsdale Wine & Spirits to Nova Sintra USA Inc., d/b/a Lonsdale Wine & Spirits, 465 Lonsdale Avenue in the total amount of $5,512.33
Upon motion made by Councilor Chadwick, seconded by Councilor Barry, the following communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
Communication from McLaughlin & Moran, Inc., to Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners, objecting to the transfer of Class A Liquor License of Jorica Liquors LLC d/b/a Lonsdale Wine & Spirits to Nova Sintra USA Inc., d/b/a Lonsdale Wine & Spirits, 465 Lonsdale Avenue in the total amount of $5,512.33
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR CHADWICK.
Upon motion made by Councilor Chadwick, seconded by Councilor Barros, the following license is APPROVED, SUBJECT TO THE PAYMENT OF ALL OUTSTANDING CLAIMS, on a unanimous voice vote:
CLASS A
Nova Sintra USA Inc., d/b/a Lonsdale Liquors Wine & Spirits, (transfer from Jorica Liquors LLC d/b/a Lonsdale Wine & Spirits) 465 Lonsdale Avenue, LIC#5479
THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC HEARING WAS RECESSED AT THE MEETING HELD
JANUARY 6, 2010 AND IS AGAIN TAKEN UP:
CLASS A
PLW MA Inc., d/b/a Blackstone Wine & Spirits, (transfer of location from 1179 Central Avenue) 273 Newport Avenue LIC#5459
Speaking in opposition is Patricia Page, 150 Mt. Vernon Boulevard, Pawtucket, RI.
Ms. Page reads a prepared statement, which is made part of the record.
Representing the license holder is Michael Sendley, Attorney, 1168 Newport Avenue.
Attorney Sendley notes that the law regarding proximity to a school or church does not apply to liquor stores. He does not think that the location will create a bad influence on kids. The lot is small and is easy to police.
The lot is zoned commercial/general, which is eligible for retail space. Deliveries will be needed there no matter what type of store is there.
Mr. Sendley states that there is no evidence that this store will damage other liquor stores. Competition is good; it is not a legitimate reason to deny a transfer. There are no problems at his current store.
Speaking in favor is John Sawyer, 44 Clyde Street.
Mr. Sawyer states that we need business people like this in Pawtucket. A larger liquor store will bring in more taxes.
Councilor Moran asks Attorney Sendley if he’ll appeal if the license transfer is denied. Mr. Sendley states that it is up to the client, but he would recommend it.
The Hearing is closed.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR HODGE.
With majority consent of the Council, Councilor Hodge introduces the following petition.
Petition from the neighborhood opposing the liquor store on Newport Avenue.
Upon motion made by Councilor Hodge, seconded by Councilor Barry, the following petition is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
Petition from the neighborhood opposing the liquor store on Newport Avenue.
Councilor Kinch states that he doesn’t think that Courtney Avenue and Manton Street can handle the added traffic; he is especially concerned about the size of trucks that will be making deliveries.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR KINCH.
Upon motion made by Councilor Kinch, seconded by Councilor Hodge, the following license is DENIED, on a unanimous voice vote:
CLASS A
PLW MA Inc., d/b/a Blackstone Wine & Spirits, (transfer of location from 1179 Central Avenue) 273 Newport Avenue LIC#5459
Communication from Major Bruce Moreau, Pawtucket Police Department, to Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners. (Illegal Sale of Alcohol to Underage Person – Great Entrepreneurial Endeavors Inc., d/b/a Gee’s Liquor, 400 Broadway; Country Lounge Inc., d/b/a Tommy’s Lounge, 99 India Street; The Blackstone at Hope LLC d/b/a Blackstone, 1005 Main Street; Emery Dining Inc., d/b/a Emery’s Lefoyer, 151 Fountain Street; Nova Churrasqueira Rest J&M LT d/b/a Nova Churrasqueira Restaurant, 434 Broadway) is READ AND ORDERED FIELD.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MORAN.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Barros, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to issue summonses to Great Entrepreneurial Endeavors Inc., d/b/a Gee’s Liquor, 400 Broadway; Country Lounge Inc., d/b/a Tommy’s Lounge, 99 India Street; The Blackstone at Hope LLC d/b/a Blackstone, 1005 Main Street; Emery Dining Inc., d/b/a Emery’s Lefoyer, 151 Fountain Street; Nova Churrasqueira Rest J&M LT d/b/a Nova Churrasqueira Restaurant, 434 Broadway to appear at FORMAL HEARINGS on Wednesday, February 10, 2010, for the following reasons:
1. Authorizing the sale or delivery to an underaged person for purposes of sale, possession or consumption of an alcoholic beverage on the license premises either for said underaged person’s own use or of any other person (Violation of R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-8-1).
2. Failure to maintain control of patrons, agents or employees and/or permitting any of the laws of this state to be violated on the license premises (Violation of R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-5-23).
THE FOLLOWING PETITION FOR LICENSE IS APPROVED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:
Class F (Beer & Wine)
Petition of St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee to sell beer and wine at 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket Armory, Saturday, March 6, 2010, from 12 Noon to 6:00 pm, LIC#5498
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MORAN.
With majority consent of the Council, Councilor Moran introduces the following communication:
Communication from Major Bruce Moreau, Police Department, to Pawtucket City Council. (Corrine’s Banquet Hall, 67 Garrity Street – Police report in response to stipulations)
Upon motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Chadwick, the following communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED and THE COUNCIL IS REQUESTING THAT MAJOR MOREAU CONTINUE THE REPORT THROUGH THE END OF MAY.
Communication from Major Bruce Moreau, Police Department, to Pawtucket City Council. (Corrine’s Banquet Hall, 67 Garrity Street – Police report in response to stipulations)
Upon motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Chadwick, the meeting is adjourned at 7:38 p.m.