Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners

 October 1, 2020

 

 

A special session of the Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners is held Thursday, October 1, 2020, at 6:41 p.m., via videoconference on ZOOM during the COVID-19 pandemic, per Governor’s Executive Orders up to and including 20-75.

 

Present – Chairperson Moran, Councilors Araujo, Mercer, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

Absent – Councilors Barry, Kallman and Rudd.

 

Chairperson Moran presides.

 

 

Communication from David P. Moran, Council President, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, calling a special session of the Board of License Commissioners on October 1, 2020 at 6:00 p.m., is READ AND ORDERED FILED on a roll call vote as follows:

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Mercer, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE FOLLOWING APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSES, WHICH WERE ADVERTISED FOR HEARINGS AT THIS TIME, ARE TAKEN UP:

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

579 Benefit Street Restaurant (The 579 LLC) 579 Benefit St. LIC#11648 #11642 (ent)

 

Speaking is Bob Woodstock, 24 Long Pond Road, Coventry, RI.

Mr. Woodstock states that he had 16-18 tables outside through the summer. He would like to have 20 tables when there is no COVID.  He would like to be outdoors until 11:00 p.m.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

**Arigna Irish Pub & Restaurant (503 Pub III LLC) 505 Armistice Blvd. LIC#9855 #9859 (ent)

Stipulations.

1.      No amplified sound outside after 10:00 p.m.

2.      Outdoor seating ends at 12:30 p.m.

 

Speaking is Ryan Blaney, 489 Turnpike Street, Eastern, MA.

 

He would like to add the area where there currently is a tent to their outdoor service. Same stipulations as currently on the license.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

Atrium on Main (JMACK Ventures LLC) 285 Main St. LIC#14333 #14341 (ent)

 

There are no speakers.

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

Blackstone River Café (Cathedral Properties LLC) 65 Blackstone St. LIC#14319® #14343

 

There are no speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

**Boulevard Cigar (Boulevard Cigar Inc.,) 609 Armistice Boulevard, LIC#10866® #10869

STIPULATIONS

1. Allow overnight parking as a convenience to neighbors (cars that park overnight cannot park there during working hours)
2. Allow one shorter truck to park at the extreme southern end of lot – (spot 114)
3. Open Sunday thru Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Thursday thru Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

 

Speaking is Frank Braginton, 20 River Avenue, Swansea, MA.

 

He would like to put in a more permanent area for outdoor service.

 

He gained parking on the street. There is no seating at the bar. He has a speaker for background music.

 

 

Speaking is Joe Filipe, 614 Armistice Boulevard, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Mr. Filipe owns the property across the street.

 

He states that Boulevard Cigar has reduced their parking spaces from 12 to 10, and will now go to seven with outdoor seating.

 

The restaurant has gone from a cigar bar to a full restaurant.

 

The odor is worse with outdoor smoking; noise is loud with outdoor seating.  They should limit smoking to the inside or put up a barrier.

 

They need added parking.

 

 

Speaking is Edward Fish, 604 Armistice Boulevard, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Mr. Fish states that the odor is intolerable; he can’t open the windows; he has no air conditioning.

 

He states that the smell is bad when smoking is inside only; noise is loud; and there are parking problems.

 

 

Speaking is Jason Towner, 605 Armistice Boulevard, Pawtucket, RI.

 

He is the son of Robert Towner, Jr., the owner of the restaurant.

 

He has two small children – all bedrooms face the bar. The sound issues are resolved.

 

He will close in the outdoor area.

 

He also realizes that parking is a problem.

 

His tenant upstairs has no problems.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

Boundary (Garrity Partners LLC) 67 Garrity St. LIC#14256 #14251 (ent)

 

Speaking is Jarod Ilkowitz, 400 Central Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Mr. Ilkowitz had 11 tables and 60 seats outside this summer.

 

He has a grill 15 ft. from the kitchen door.

 

There are 101 park spaces without street parking – after renovations they haven’t lost spots.

 

The patio is fenced in.

 

Closing at 11:00 p.m. is fine.

 

Lighting is not shining on people’s homes.

 

They have a couple of speakers outside, which are kept low playing background music.  He would like to continue the music.

 

He has 57 seats inside.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

Celtic Pub (Celtic Pub Inc.) 755 Broadway, LIC#4167 #3860 (ent)

 

E-mail was filed from David Dunbar.

 

There are no speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

Emery's LeFoyer (Emery Dining Inc.) 151 Fountain St. LIC#4113 #3667 (ent)

 

Speaking is Dave Emery, 35 W. Wrentham Road, Cumberland, RI.

 

There will be six tables, with 36 chairs.  This is the same as the temporary outdoor seating.

 

He would like to have music; he would put up a buffer for the band.

 

He gave up six parking spaces.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

EP Kitchen (PMGG LLC) 250 Main St. LIC#13933 #14211® (ent)

 

There are no speakers.

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

**FabCity Cigar Lounge (FabCity Cigar Lounge, Inc.) 1438 Newport Avenue, LIC#14035® #14036 (ent)

STIPULATIONS

1.      The business remains a cigar bar or smoking bar pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws §23-20.10-2(15).

2.      Door closed at all times.

 

Speaking is Attorney Mark Welch and Allen Correia, 22 Hobson Avenue, North Providence, RI.

 

They will have the same number of tables and seats as they have now, with eight tables of two.

 

They will continue with being open outdoors until 11:00 p.m.

 

They have no amplified sound.

 

They have 14 parking spaces, some between the sidewalk and the building.  They lost two spots.

 

 

Speaking is Jonathan Flynn, 1381 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.

 

This is a neighborhood with business mixed in.  FabCity started as a cigar bar, now is a rocking night club, according to their recently scrubbed social media.

 

Mr. Flynn had police at his house one night at 12:30 a.m. to ask if he heard shots. People are in the lot at 3:00 a.m. They had 140 people there on August 19, 2020, with no masks. There is noise and danger there. He asks the council to check with DBR and police reports.

 

He is asking the council to deny the expansion.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

Garden Grille (Lionheart Marketing Group Inc.) 727 East Avenue, LIC#4039 #4206

 

There are no speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

German/American Cultural Society of Rhode Island, 78 Carter Ave. LIC#4173 #3894 (ent)

 

An email is filed from Rene Williams.

 

There are no speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

Mamajuana Restaurant (Mamajuana Restaurant LLC) 904 Main St. LIC#13392® #13391 (ent)

 

Speaking is Vanessa Berrios, 200 Sisson Street, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Ms. Berrios states that she has temporary outdoor seating. She removed the outdoor speakers, but would like to have music outside.

 

There will be eight tables and 28 seats.

 

There is ample parking.

 

She will shut down at 11:00 p.m.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

**News Café (Joshua Café LLC) 43 Broad St.  LIC#5568 #5569 (ent)

STIPULATION.

1.      Door on Broad Street side of building must be kept closed at all times.

 

There are no speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

Notes Coffee (Notes Coffee Co LLC) 508 Armistice Blvd. LIC#14236 #14237®

 

There are no speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

**Nova Churrasqueira Restaurant (Adelina Production Inc.) 434 Broadway LIC#8011 #8014 (ent)

STIPULATIONS.

1.      There shall be one (1) parking space for every 4 patrons.

2.      Dumpster shall be located in parking lot; shall be enclosed within fencing.  Rubbish shall be removed at a reasonable time, not to be offensive to the neighbors.

3.      Management shall be responsible for traffic control of patrons by posting parking policy inside establishment.

4.      Must have police detail officer on any day or night they have entertainment.

5.      All entertainment must be stopped by 12:00 midnight.

 

Speaking is Filipe Andrade, 434 Broadway, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Mr. Andrade would like to have just the bar outdoors.

 

He states that any problems they have is with a neighbor who wants to use his parking lot as a garage. He has refused.

 

He states that he cleans his parking lot.

 

 

E-mails were filed from David Greene and Maryann Greene.

 

 

Speaking is Keith Porier, 82 Lupine Street, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Mr. Porier states that the restaurant is not a good neighbor.

 

Cycles are revving at midnight. Problems are especially on Sunday nights, when there is loud music until 1:00 a.m.  The pounding of the bass is the biggest issue.

 

10-15 people are drinking outside every night.

 

People are still in the lot after 1:00 a.m.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

Roast House Restaurant and Pub (R-House Restaurant Inc.) 176 Columbus Ave. LIC#5074 #5105 (ent)

 

Speaking is Jorge Diogo, 445 Providence Pike, Smithfield, RI.

 

Mr. Diogo states that they have had eight tables outside. He may reduce or forego the tables outside once they are back inside at full capacity.

 

 

Speaking is Ann Boucher, 15 Keough Street, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Ms. Keough states that delivery trucks use Keough Street at all hours.

 

If they will be serving outside, she does not want music outside. She questions how long they will be there?

 

They throw food over the fence to her dog, which is problem because of chicken bones.

 

Mr. Diogo states that there will be no live music outside.

 

 

Speaking is Paulette Jameson, 21 Keough Street, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Ms. Jameson is concerned about the traffic by her house and the loss of parking spaces in the lot. 

 

 

Speaking is Bill Vieira, Acting Director of Zoning and Code Enforcement.

 

Mr. Vieira has a general concern with safety (not specifically about The Roast House).   He is concerned about the tables in the parking area, when there are no barriers between the cars and the tables.  This could cause problems.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

Sabor a Mar (Karen’s Restaurant LLC) 533 Weeden St. LIC#13124® #13097

 

Speaking is John Fields, 3 Lockbridge Street, Pawtucket, RI.

 

The property used to be residential.  There are five tables in the former back yard.  They lost six parking spots, but they will regain them if they move all the tables to back yard.

 

They have a tenant who will be moving out.  This will add four parking spaces.

 

An e-mail has been filed.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

Punto Final Hookah Bar & Lounge (Punto Final LLC) 31 Summer St. LIC#13623® #13625 (ent)

 

Speaking is Basilio Peguero, 81Summer Street, Pawtucket, RI.

 

There will be four tables and 14 seats.  It will be same as in the summer.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

Sullivan’s Publick House (SPHOD Inc.) 572 Armistice Blvd.  LIC#6691 #6761 (ent)

 

Speaking is Jack Doherty, 166 Valley Street, Providence, RI.

 

Mr. Doherty is trying to rent parking spaces for the restaurant. He lost 80% of business – his options were to do this (build a patio) or layoff all 16 employees.  They went from 16 to six employees; they are now back to 16.

 

There is only a net loss of one parking space.

 

He will reach out to the neighbors.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

Tugas Restaurant & Catering (S & C Associates, LLC) 110 Mineral Spring Ave., LIC#13650® #13653 (ent)

 

Speaking is Julia Sanos, 120 Mineral Spring Avenue and Antonio Gomes, 114 Mineral Spring Avenue.

 

They live in the back of the restaurant, which is near Mr. Gomes’ window.  There is loud talking.  They are concerned about the hours and music.

 

There was no outside seating this summer.

 

Tables in the front and parking in the back it would be better.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS BV – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

Vibe Lounge and Hookah Bar (Vibe Lounge Inc.) 25 Broad St. LIC#12813® #12810 (ent)

 

Speaking is Victor Silva, 55 Roslyn Avenue, Cranston, RI.

 

There will be same set-up as now, but in a smaller area.

 

He is doing this for people that would like to go out and smoke.

 

No music outside.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS D – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

Juventude Club (Juventude RI Social Club) 245 Esten Ave. LIC#9538 #9539

 

Speaking is Tiago Monteiro, 450 Angell Road, North Providence, RI.

 

There will be six tables and 24 seats.

 

There is no outside service now an no music outside.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

 

 

CLASS D – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

Lafayette Social Club Inc., 71 Benefit St. LIC#4048 #3488

 

They are no speakers.

 

 

CLASS D – EXPANSION OF PREMISE

 

Polish-American Citizens’ Club, 244 Annie St. LIC#4065 #3535

 

Speaking Scott Spychalla, 318 Daggett Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.

 

He would like 20 seats outside, because there are no seats at the bar.

 

There will be no music outside.

 

They will keep the parking lot clean.

 

Most members are over age of 45 and are there during the daytime.

 

E-mails were filed from David Balcewicz, Kenneth Brown, Normand Glaude and Robert Brown.

 

The next speaker is David Balcewicz, 251 Annie Street, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Mr. Balcewicz has been there since 1955 and has been a member of the club since 1972.  His dad and brother are members.

 

He states that it used to be quiet. 

 

He is concerned that once COVID is over, there will be a big crowd.  They won’t be able to keep it quiet.

 

In the past there were no functions outside.

 

Speaking is Kenneth Brown, 210 Annie Street, Pawtucket, RI.

 

He has lived there for 68 years.

 

He reads his email.

.

 

Speaking is Ray Chartier, 66 Gates Streets, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Mr. Chartier states that the Polish Home was quiet.  There are lots of children in the area.

 

Motorcycles at night are very noisy; people urinate on the lawn.

 

This is asking for trouble.  They should stay inside.

 

This is not a club; it is more of a bar.

 

 

Speaking is Robert Brown, 71 Gates Street, Pawtucket, RI.

 

The owners don’t respect the neighbors.

 

They have entertainment; they promote it as a sports bar; there is far too much noise; the doors should be kept shut.  They stay open after the COVID-allowed hours.

 

There are no other speakers.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNZES COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Mercer, all of the hearings are recessed and the applications are POSTPONED FOR TWO WEEKS, with the applicants allowed to serve outdoors until the next hearing, on a roll call vote as follows:

 

 AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Mercer, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Mercer, seconded by Councilor Wildenhain, the meeting is adjourned at 9:38 p.m.