Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners

Saturday, April 24, 2021

 

 

An Emergency session of the Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners is held Saturday, April 24, 2021, at 2:06 p.m., via videoconference on ZOOM during the COVID-19 pandemic, per Governor’s orders up to and including 21-30.

 

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

 

Absent – Councilor Rudd.

 

Chairperson Moran presides.

 

 

Chairman Moran states that they are holding an emergency meeting because there has been a series of incidents related to Vibe Lounge & Hookah Bar, the latest of which included a shooting.  They are having the meeting to protect the health and welfare of the residents in that particular area.

 

Chairman Moran calls for a motion on whether or not to proceed with the emergency meeting.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MERCER

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Mercer, seconded by Councilor Wildenhain, the Board votes to convene this emergency meeting to protect the health and welfare and safety of the city of Pawtucket due to incidents occurring at Vibe Lounge & Hookah Bar and to take up an emergency formal hearing, on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

Communications from Captain David Holden, Pawtucket Police, to the Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners.  (Incidents on April 5, 11, 18 and 23, 2021, at Vibe Lounge & Hookah Bar (Vibe Lounge & Hookah Bar Inc.) 25 Broad Street) are READ AND ORDERED FILED, on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

 

AN EMERGENCY FORMAL HEARING ON THE FOLLOWING LICENSE IS TAKEN UP:

 

CLASS B (Victualer) -

 

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

 

Representing the City of Pawtucket is Frank J. Milos, Jr., Esq., City Solicitor.

 

Mr. Milos states that there had been a series of incidents over several weeks at Vibe Lounge, including a shooting on April 23, 2021.  There will be an emergency formal hearing on April 27, 2021.

 

The city and police department felt that due to ongoing circumstances, which includes a public nuisance and health, welfare and safety matters, it was incumbent to bring the matter forward today to suspend the liquor license until the full hearing is held on April 27^th.

 

 

Speaking on behalf of the license holder is Attorney Peter Petrarca, 330 Spring Street, Providence, RI.

 

Mr. Petrarca states that his client would voluntarily close the business until the formal hearing.

 

Mr. Milos wants a consent order on the temporary closing.

 

Mr. Milos states that Mr. Petrarca wants to put off Tuesday’s meeting.

 

Mr. Petrarca requests a two-week continuance to give him time to prepare a defense. He will sign the consent documents.

 

He states that Vibe Lounge will remain closed until the formal hearing.

 

Upon questioning from the Council, Mr. Milos states that the Council should take a vote on the consent order with the terms set that Vibe Lounge will remain closed until the hearing.

 

Mr. Petrarca states that there will be nobody in building until May 11, 2021.

 

The hearing is closed.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MERCER.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Mercer, seconded by Councilor Wildenhain, the Council ACCEPTS THE CONSENT AGREEMENT TO CONTINUE THE NEXT FORMAL HEARING AS LONG AS VIBE LOUNGE STAYS CLOSED FROM TODAY UNTIL THE HEARING IS HELD, WHICH WILL NOW BE SCHEDULED FOR MAY 11, 2021, AT 6:00 P.M. – IF THE HEARING IS FURTHER CONTINUED, VIBE LOUNGE WILL STAY CLOSED UNTIL IT IS HELD, on a roll call vote, as follows.

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

 

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Mercer, seconded by Councilor DaRosa, the meeting is adjourned at 2:24 p.m.