HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes 10-19-17
Minutes October 19, 2017
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES September 21, 2017
SPECIAL LICENSES:
• WHS Athletic Hall of Fame/St. James Armenian Church 465 Mt. Auburn Street
November 21, 2017 One Day All Alcohol License/ Fundraiser/Induction Ceremony
Approved 3-0
Daniel Venezia, chair of the Hall of Fame, appeared in support of the application, explaining
that the event is a fundraiser, and that 90% of the tickets had been sold. The event will start
at 5:30 p.m. Sgt. Grady reported that the Police Department had no objection to the granting
of a license, subject to the conditions in the department’s written report. The Board
acknowledged receipt of reports from the Health and Fire Departments, and voted to grant
the license subject to the conditions requested by the Police, Fire and Health Departments.
• VHB, 101 Walnut Street Approved 3-0
November 16, 2017 Run/Walk 3K Event
Jennifer Marquis appeared in support of the application, stating that she is coordinator of
charitable causes for VHB. The event will be open to employees only. Sgt. Grady reported
that the Police Department had no objection to the granting of a license, subject to the
conditions in the department’s written report. The Board acknowledged receipt of reports
from the Health and Building Departments, and voted to grant the license subject to the
conditions requested by the Police, Health and Building Departments.
• Armenian Youth Federation/ACEC 47 Nichols Ave Approved 3-0
November 25, 2017 One Day All Alcohol License/Entertainment/Fundraiser
Michael Demirchian appeared in support of the application. He stated that the event had
been held for at least 15 years, and is a fundraiser for the organization’s events in the next
year. There will be no caterer, only pre-packaged food. Mr. Demirchian noted he had
contacted the Health Department. Sgt. Grady stated that the Police Department would want
Licensing Board
TOWN OF WATERTOWN
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
149 Main Street
Watertown, Massachusetts 02472
TEL. (617) 972-6486
FAX (617) 972-6595
BOARD MEMBERS
DONNA B. DOUCETTE
GEORGE B. NEWMAN
ALTERNATE MEMBER
SANDRA KASABIAN HOFFMAN
food service offered at the event, and reported that the Police Department had no objection
to the granting of the licenses requested, subject to the conditions in the department’s written
report. The Board acknowledged receipt of reports from the Health and Fire Departments,
and voted to grant the alcohol and entertainment licenses subject to the conditions requested
by the Police, Health and Fire Departments.
• GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 25 Bigelow Ave Approved 3-0
October 21, 2017 One Day All Alcohol License/Award Party
George Faggas appeared in support of the application. He stated that the event is for the
Tibetan Association of Boston, which has held several prior events at the church. Sgt. Grady
reported that the Police Department had no objection to the granting of the license requested,
subject to the conditions in the department’s written report. The Board acknowledged
receipt of reports from the Health and Fire Departments, and voted to grant the license
subject to the conditions requested by the Police, Health and Fire Departments.
• GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 25 Bigelow Ave Approved 3-0
November 18, 2017 One Day All Alcohol License/Fundraiser
George Faggas appeared in support of the application. He stated that the event sponsor is
the Tigrai Development Association, which has held prior events at the church. Board
chairman requested confirmation regarding food service to be provided for the event. Sgt.
Grady reported that the Police Department had no objection to the granting of the license
requested, subject to the conditions in the department’s written report. The Board
acknowledged receipt of reports from the Health and Fire Departments, and voted to grant
the license subject to the conditions requested by the Police, Health and Fire Departments.
• GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 25 Bigelow Ave Approved 3-0
December 9, 2017 One Day All Alcohol License/Nobel Peace Prize Celebration
George Faggas appeared in support of the application. He stated that the event is also for
the Tibetan Association of Boston. Sgt. Grady reported that the Police Department had no
objection to the granting of the license requested, subject to the conditions in the
department’s written report. The Board acknowledged receipt of reports from the Health
and Fire Departments, and voted to grant the license subject to the conditions requested by
the Police, Health and Fire Departments.
• WATERTOWN BOYS & GIRL CLUB 25 WHITES AVE Approved 3-0
November 5, 2017 5K Road Race
John Labadini, vice president of the club, appeared in support of the application. He stated
that this is the fifteenth year of the road race event. Sgt. Grady reported that the Police
Department had no objection to the granting of the license requested, subject to the
conditions in the department’s written report. The Board acknowledged receipt of a report
from the Health Department, and voted to grant the license subject to the conditions
requested by the Police and Health Departments.
1. Watertown Exchange, Inc. Approved 3-0
92-98 Main Street
Transfer of Wine & Malt Common Victualler License
2. Miten Mart, Inc. d/b/a Victoria’s Spa Approved 3-0
603 Mt. Auburn Street
Transfer of Wine & Malt Package Goods Store License
3. Miller’s Ale House, Inc. d/b/a Miller’s Ale House Approved 3-0
617 Arsenal Street
Change of Manager
4. Dionysus, LLC d/b/a Dionysus
311 Arsenal Street
Status Hearing Continued to January 18, 2018
Donna B. Doucette, Chairman
Present: Donna B. Doucette, George Newman, Steve Aylward, Sandra Kasabian Hoffman
Alternate Member
Watertown Exchange, Inc.
19 Chadbourne Road
Lexington, MA 02421
The Watertown Licensing Board met to consider the application of Watertown
Exchange, Inc. for a transfer to it of the Wine and Malt Common Victualler License held by
Tarinee, Inc. d/b/a J. Dee Asian Bistro for exercise at 92 - 98 Main Street.
Christine Chan, president, appeared in support of the application. Ms. Chan stated
that she has been in the food service business all her life and owns three restaurants, under
the name Ginger Exchange, starting 8 years ago: one in Cambridge and two in Boston. She
intends to offer the same style of menu at the Watertown location. Ms. Chan noted that the
proposed manager, Raymond Young, has been working with her since she began the Ginger
Exchange concept. She explained that she expects a period of one to two months for
cosmetic improvements to the premises, before opening for business, with opening
anticipated in March of 2018. She explained that the Zoning Enforcement Officer had
informed her that the premises could accommodate 48 seats.
The Health Department reported that no renovations or operations may begin without
department approval, under the plan review process; an application must be submitted to the
department.
Sgt. Grady stated that the Police Department had no objection to approval of the
proposed transfer, provided that the conditions stated below were imposed. He noted that he
had been made aware of zoning approval for 48 seats.
The Licensing Board voted unanimously to approve the transfer of the license,
subject to the following conditions:
1. The description of the licensed premises is as follows: approximately 1,800 square feet of
retail space, front and rear entrances, first floor kitchen, with basement storage; seating for
48 persons as approved and shown on the submitted plan (plan entitled “Ginger Exchange
Watertown proposed first floor layout, 92-98 Main Street Watertown, Massachusetts”
received in the office of the Town Clerk on August 9, 2017).
2.
3. The hours of operation shall be Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.;
Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
4. Christine Chan and the manager, Raymond Young, shall ensure that all bartenders and
servers attend and successfully complete an alcohol awareness training program (e.g., TIPS)
immediately upon hire or expiration of certification. Copies of all alcohol awareness training
certifications shall be maintained by the licensee, and available for review upon request.
Miten Mart, Inc. d/b/a Victoria’s Spa
50 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
The Watertown Licensing Board met to consider the application of Miten Mart, Inc.
d/b/a Victoria’s Spa for a transfer to it of the Wine and Malt Package Goods Store License
held by Yere 1, Inc. for exercise at 4 Bigelow Avenue, said transferred license to be
exercised at 603 Mt. Auburn Street.
Attorney Marisa Allard appeared in support of the application, together with Kaushik
Patel, president. Attorney Allard explained that no renovations are planned for the premises,
and noted that the applicant had contacted the Building Department regarding required
approvals. She clarified that Kaushik Patel and Smita Patel are the directors of the
corporation; Mukesh Patel is an employee, and is not an owner. Attorney Allard noted that
Kaushik and Smita own and operate other stores with malt beverage licenses, in Waltham
and Newton, and have 20 years of experience in the business. She added that the designated
manager for the Watertown site, Kaushik D. Patel, has previous alcohol sales experience.
The Building Department reported that any new signage requires a permit from the
department.
Sgt. Grady stated that the Police Department had no objection to approval of the
proposed transfer, provided that the conditions stated below were imposed.
The Licensing Board voted unanimously to approve the transfer of the license,
subject to the following conditions:
1. The description of the licensed premises is as follows: approximately 1,144 square feet of
retail space, front entrance with rear exit door, restroom, and basement storage.
2. The hours of operation shall be Monday through Sunday, 7:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. No sale
of alcohol shall be made before 8:00 a.m. daily, nor before 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, per the
Licensing Board’s rules and regulations.
3. The area designated for storage of wine and malt beverages shall be as shown on the plan
submitted (sketch plan of floor area received in the office of the Town Clerk on August 23,
2017).
5. The manager and any employees or persons engaged in the sale of alcohol must obtain a
valid alcohol awareness training program (e.g., TIPS) certification immediately upon hire or
expiration of certification. Copies of all alcohol awareness training certifications shall be
maintained by the licensee, and available for review upon request.
6. No alcohol shall be consumed on the licensed premises.
Miller’s Ale House, Inc. d/b/a
Miller’s Boston Ale House
617 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472
The Watertown Licensing Board met to consider the application of Miller’s Ale
House, Inc. d/b/a Miller’s Boston Ale House for approval of a change of manager of its
premises at 617 Arsenal Street licensed for all alcohol common victualler service.
Attorney Timothy Perry appeared in support of the application, together with Jeremy
Ward, the proposed new manager of the licensed premises. Attorney Perry stated that Mr.
Ward has 18 years of experience in the food service business and has been employed by
Miller’s Ale House for 10 years. Mr. Ward explained that he assisted with the initial opening
of Miller’s Ale House’s Watertown location, and noted that every manager is ServSafe
certified.
Sgt. Grady reported that the Police Department had no objection to the change of
manager provided that the conditions stated below were imposed.
The Health Department reported that the licensee must ensure that a certified food
protection manager is on-site during all hours of operation.
The Licensing Board voted unanimously to approve the change of manager, subject
to the following conditions:
1. The new manager, Jeremy Ward, shall ensure that all bartenders and servers of alcohol
attend and successfully complete an alcohol awareness training program (e.g., TIPS)
immediately upon hire or expiration of certification. Copies of all certifications shall be
maintained by the licensee and available for review upon request.
2. All other conditions of the license shall remain in place.
Dionysus, LLC
d/b/a Dionysus
311 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472
The Watertown Licensing Board has continued the status hearing on the matter of
the all alcohol common victualler license granted to Dionysus, LLC d/b/a Dionysus for
exercise at Kingsbury Avenue on the Watertown Arsenal campus. The status hearing was
originally scheduled for January 19, 2017, and was continued to February 16, 2017, and
again to October 19, 2017.
On October 19, Attorney Kristen Scanlon appeared on behalf of the licensee. She
stated that the west garage portion of the site development including the restaurant, which
had been discussed at the February 16, 2017 session of the status hearing, had begun on time
and that it was anticipated to be opening for use in the first quarter of 2018. She added that
Athena health, on whose overall building campus the restaurant will be located, was
awaiting state approval for improvements it intended to perform in and for the Town, and
that the project construction schedule had been pushed out about another year. However,
she explained, the licensee recognizes the substantial passage of time since the Licensing
Board granted approval for the license and is therefore exploring a relocation of the license,
for exercised elsewhere.
Board chairman Doucette noted that she had spoken with the Town’s Planning
Director, who informed her that he was not aware of the restaurant proposed by Dionysus,
and that he did not believe the Planning Board had wanted project construction to await
completion of the garage. Board member Newman commented that it did not appear that
there was a firm commitment to build a restaurant. Attorney Scanlon responded that there is
a genuine intent to have a restaurant at the project site, but the licensee realizes there is a
timeliness issue regarding exercise of the license. She added that the licensee may apply for
a license again when the retail corridor in question is built out.
The Licensing Board voted unanimously to continue the status hearing to January 18,
2018 and to notify the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission that any license renewal
for 2018 would be provisional because the construction schedule has been delayed, requiring
a plan for build out and operation, or a purchase agreement; and to set a further status
hearing session for March 15, 2018.
The next continued hearing on this matter will be held on January18, 2018 at 7:15
p.m. in the Philip Pane Hearing Room, Administration Building, 149 Main Street,
Watertown, MA. A subsequent hearing session has also been set for March 15, 2018 at the
same time and place.