Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners

September 9, 2015

 

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners is held Wednesday, September 9, 2015, at 7:23 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. 

 

Present – Chairperson Moran, Councilors, Barry, Bray, Cano, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault and Wildenhain.

 

Absent – 0.

 

Chairperson Moran presides.

 

 

The reading of the records of August 19, 2015 is dispensed with and the records are APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.

 

 

*THE FOLLOWING PETITIONS FOR LICENSES ARE APPROVED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:

 

ENTERTAINMENT –

 

A.  Petition of Movement Pentecostal Monte Sinai to conduct a religious service, live music, speakers and performance at 530 Broadway, parking lot, on Friday, September 11, 2015 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm LIC#11068 

 

B.  Petition of Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, to conduct a Opening Night Party at Pawtucket Armory, 72 Exchange Street, on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm., LIC#11090

 

FIREARMS Renewal –

 

Lost Treasures LLC d/b/a Lost Treasures, 242 Middle St. LIC#10888

 

PIGEON LOFT Renewals -

 

Luiz, James 163 Division St. LIC#3100

Zervas, Petros, 27 Harrison St. LIC#3105

 

SIGN PERMIT Renewal -

 

Andella’s Boulevard Meats (Andellas Boulevard Meats LLC) 627 Armistice Blvd. (1) LIC#5763

 

 

THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION FOR LICENSE, WHICH WAS ADVERTISED FOR A HEARING AT THIS TIME, IS TAKEN UP:

 

CLASS B (Victualer) New –

 

Boulevard Cigar (Boulevard Cigar Inc.,) 609 Armistice Boulevard, LIC#10866®

 

Speaking in favor is Robert Towner, Jr., 137 Tobie Avenue, Pawtucket, RI, applicant.

 

Also present is Attorney Michael Horan, 393 Armistice Boulevard, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Attorney Horan states that Mr. Towner has been operating a retail cigar store, and now wants to operate as a cigar bar.

 

Mr. Horan states that at a smoking bar 51% of the revenue must come from tobacco, so it’s not like running a regular bar.

 

Mr. Horan passes out diagrams showing the inside and outside of the building.

 

Mr. Towner states that he is the principal owner at the cigar store.

 

He bought the building 16 months ago. He remodeled the inside. He has been running the store since April. He has been open from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., weekdays and 9:00 a.m., to 9:00 p.m., weekends. If he gets the liquor license, the business will be open until 10:00 p.m., Thursdays thru Saturdays.

 

There will be three employees. There are thirty-one seats inside. He has 800 square feet. There are fourteen on-site parking spaces.

 

Mr. Horan notes that the zoning ordinance requires one space for every four patrons.  Therefore, he needs eight spaces.

 

Mr. Towner states that he addressed problems with the smell of smoke by keeping air filters on, even if the door is open.

 

Mr. Towner’s construction business, which he does during the day, is in the back of the building.  Two of the parking spaces in the lot are being used by the construction business.

 

Mr. Towner presents a 14-page petition of customers and neighbors in support of the application, which is filed and made part of the record.  He states that it was his customers who asked him to get the liquor license.

 

The insulation company will be moving to a new location.

 

There have been no complaints to the police.

 

The rehab of the building has cost $120,000.00.

 

Speaking in favor is Edward Brederson, 431 Armistice Boulevard, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Mr. Brederson thinks that the business is a good idea.  He has no objections.

 

Speaking in favor is Leo Pelletier, 646 Armistice Boulevard, Pawtucket, RI.

 

He has no complains. The place looks good.

 

Speaking in favor is Frank Bragantin, 20 River Avenue, Swansea, MA.

 

Mr. Bragantin has been at the establishment quite a bit. The owner made major improvements. The customers requested liquor.  It will help local businesses.

 

Speaking in favor is Brenda Marchwicki, 595-597 Armistice Boulevard, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Ms. Marchwicki is an abutter to the store.

 

She states that Mr. Towner has been proactive; he spoke to the neighbors.  His investment surpasses her expectations. She favors the license. There are no complaints from her tenants on Armistice Boulevard.

 

Speaking in opposition is Joseph Filipe, 614 Armistice Boulevard, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Mr. Filipe states that Mr. Towner has done a beautiful job with the building. There is no problem with the store. However, he doesn’t like alcohol sold so close to his home.

 

Speaking in opposition is Colleen Fisk, 604 Armistice Boulevard, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Ms. Fisk opposes alcohol being sold. She lives right across the street from the store. She states that three cars have been hit on the street. There are four other liquor establishments in the area.

 

Speaking in favor is Albert Vitali, Jr., 85 Pequot Road, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Mr. Vitali states that he understands both sides of the issue. He likes cigar bars. This is a top-notch establishment.  He supports the liquor license.

 

Speaking in favor is Kevin Harrison, 235 Bloomfield Street, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Mr. Harrison is a 37-year resident of Pawtucket. Mr. Tower is a good and generous man, and does good work. He did a good job with the building. He supports the liquor license.

 

Speaking in favor is John Holmes, 1000 York Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Mr. Homes is amazed how the property looks. He supports the liquor license.

 

Speaking in favor is Amie Marzilli, 26 Benjamin Street, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Mrs. Marzilli is a 32-year Pawtucket resident. It’s a family neighborhood. The establishment has a quality; it looks beautiful.  She is concerned about traffic on her street. Traffic is increasing to 1,200 cars per day.  Cars fly up the street.  She supports the business.

 

Speaking in favor is Robert Coderre, 18 Angle Street, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Mr. Coderre is a new customer to the store. The owner is often there. He believes that the owner will handle any concerns.

 

Attorney Horan states that the applicant should be given a chance.

 

Mr. Towner states that the clients are gentlemen 40-65 years old. There is no entertainment. It won’t be a night club.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

The Hearing is closed.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MERCER.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Mercer, seconded by Councilor Bray, the following license is APPROVED with the following stipulations on a unanimous voice vote:

 

CLASS B (Victualer) New –

 

Boulevard Cigar (Boulevard Cigar Inc.,) 609 Armistice Boulevard, LIC#10866®

 

STIPULATIONS.

 

1.   The hours shall be Sunday thru Wednesday from 12:00 Noon to 9:00 p.m., Thursdays 12:00 Noon to 10:00 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

2.   No overnight parking in the lot.

3.   Police will send a report on calls after 6 months and 1 year.

 

 

 

THE FOLLOWING PETITION FOR LICENSE IS APPROVED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:

 

VICTUALLING HOUSE First Class New –

 

Boulevard Cigar (Boulevard Cigar Inc.) 609 Armistice Boulevard, LIC#10869

 

 

 

THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION FOR LICENSE, WHICH WAS ADVERTISED FOR A HEARING AT THIS TIME, IS TAKEN UP:

 

CLASS B (Victualer) Transfer -

 

Toti’s Pizza Palace (Totis Pizza and Grill, Inc.) (transfer from Toti’s Pizza Palace (Totis Pizza Palace Inc) 622 Central Ave. LIC#11076

 

Speaking in favor is Roger Chahine, 15 Overland Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Mr. Chahine states that everything will stay the same. This is simply a change to being incorporated.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

The Hearing is closed.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Hodge, the following license is APPROVED on a unanimous voice vote:

 

CLASS B (Victualer) Transfer -

 

Toti’s Pizza Palace (Totis Pizza and Grill, Inc.) (transfer from Toti’s Pizza Palace (Totis Pizza Palace Inc) 622 Central Ave. LIC#11076

 

 

THE FOLLOWING PETITION FOR LICENSE IS APPROVED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:

 

VICTUALLING HOUSE First Class Transfer –

 

Toti’s Pizza Palace (Totis Pizza and Grill, Inc.) (transfer from Toti’s Pizza Palace (Totis Pizza Palace Inc) 622 Central Ave. LIC#11077

 

 

 

THE FOLLOWING PETITIONS FOR LICENSES ARE TAKEN UP:

 

A.  Class F (Beer & Wine)

 

Petition of Cape Verdean American Development Community to sell beer and wine at Book Scholarship Award Block Party, at 120 High Street, on Sunday, September 13, 2015, from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. LIC#11093

 

B.  ENTERTAINMENT –

 

Petition of Cape Verdean American Development Community to conduct a Book Scholarship Award Block Party, at 120 High Street, on Sunday, September 13, 2015, from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. LIC#11092

 

Speaking on behalf of the applicants is Joseph Andrade, 103 Almy Street, Providence, RI.

 

Mr. Andrade withdraws the request for the liquor license.

 

He would like to change the date for the Book Scholarship Award Block Party from September 13, 2015 to September 20, 2015. They do want to close a portion of the street.  This will not interfere with busses.  They will have a detail officer.  They expect 150 people.  They had this event for several years through 2011.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR HODGE.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Hodge, seconded by Councilor Rudd, the following license is WITHDRAWN at the request of the applicant, on a unanimous voice vote:

 

Class F (Beer & Wine)

 

Petition of Cape Verdean American Development Community to sell beer and wine at Book Scholarship Award Block Party, at 120 High Street, on Sunday, September 13, 2015, from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. LIC#11093

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR HODGE.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Hodge, seconded by Councilor Rudd, the following license is APPROVED with the following amendment and stipulation on a unanimous voice vote:

 

ENTERTAINMENT –

 

Petition of Cape Verdean American Development Community to conduct a Book Scholarship Award Block Party, at 120 High Street, on Sunday, September 13, 20, 2015, from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. LIC#11092

 

STIPULATION.

 

1.   Must have one detail officer.

 

 

 

THE FOLLOWING PETITIONS FOR LICENSES ARE APPROVED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:

 

A.  Class F (Full Privilege)

 

Petition of Holy Family Parish to sell alcoholic beverages at a Fundraiser Dance at 195 Walcott Street on Saturday, September 19, 2015 from 9:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m., LIC#11081

 

B.  ENTERTAINMENT –

 

Petition of Holy Family Parish to conduct a Fundraiser at 195 Walcott Street, on Saturday, September 19, 2015, from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., LIC#11082

 

 

 

Communication from AnnMarie Hedden, Co-Owner of Jass, LLC d/b/a Game Day Sports Bar, 584 Smithfield Avenue, to the Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners, requesting permission to hold a BBQ/Luau and serve alcoholic beverages in the parking lot of 584 Smithfield Avenue on Saturday, September 19, 2015, from 3:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.  Entertainment will be provided from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. outside is READ AND ORDERED FILED AND THE REQUEST IS APPROVED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, WITH THE FOLLOWING STIPULATION:

 

STIPULATION.

 

1.   No glasses or bottles; plastic cups only.

 

 

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Hodge, seconded by Councilor Mercer, the meeting is adjourned at 8:24 p.m.