HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes 8-16-18Licensing Board
TOWN OF WATERTOWN
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
149 Main Street
Watertown, Massachusetts 02472
TEL. (617) 972-6486
FAX (617) 972-6595
Minutes August 16, 2018
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
SPECIAL LICENSES:
1. Special Licenses:
BOARD MEMBERS
DONNA B. DOUCETTE
SANDRA KASABIAN HOFFMAN
STEVEN W. AYLWARD
ALTERNATE MEMBER
• WATERTOWN FREE LIBRARY 123 Main Street Approved 3-0
September 15, 2018/Road Race
Emily Miranda, Director of Children's Services for the Library, appeared in support
of the application. She explained that this will be the fifth annual road race fundraiser,
with an anticipated 200 participants of all ages. The Library will staff a water station
along the race route and will provide for clean-up after the event. The Library will
also provide donated oranges and water to participants. The Police Department
reported that it 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 Fire, Health, and Public Works Departments, and voted to grant the
license, subject to the conditions requested by the Police, Fire, Health, and Public
Works Departments.
• Knights of Vartan/ACEC 47 Nichols Ave Approved 3-0
One Day all Alcohol License /Surf & Turf Fundraiser/ September 13, 2018
Eric Markarian, chairman of the event, appeared in support of the application. This
will be the seventh annual surf and turf fundraiser. Proceeds from the event will be
used to build a church in Haverhill. The event will include a dinner, and is expected
to end at approximately 10:00 p.m. Patrons will utilize the Armenian Cultural &
Education Center's lot for parking. Tickets will be sold in advance, and age
verification will occur at the door. The Police Department reported that it 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
Building, Fire, and Health Departments, and voted to grant the license, subject to the
conditions requested by the Police, Building, Fire, and Health Departments.
• ACEC 47 Nichols Ave Approved 3-0
Walkathon /September 22, 2018
Tatoul Badalian appeared in support of the application. This will be a fundraiser for
the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry. Mr. Badalian explained that the event
coincides with the Town -sponsored Faire on the Square. There will be volunteer
marshals for crowd control along the route. The applicant does not provide any food,
and participants bring their own water or other drinks. There will be no street
closures for the event. The Police Department reported that it 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 Fire, Health, and Public
Works Departments, and voted to grant the license, subject to the conditions
requested by the Police, Fire, Health, and Public Works Departments.
• ACEC 47 Nichols Ave Approved 3-0
One Day all Alcohol License /Armenian Independence Festival/Sept. 22, 2018
A representative of the Armenian Cultural & Education Center appeared in support of
the application. This will be the eighth annual event to celebrate Armenian
Independence Day. It event will include dinner and music. Identification of all
persons purchasing alcohol will be checked at the bar during the event.
The Police Department reported that it 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 Building, Fire, and Health Departments,
and voted to grant the license, subject to the conditions requested by the Police,
Building, Fire, and Health, Departments.
• The Tigrean Community Center/Hellenic 25 Bigelow Ave Approved 3-0
One Day all Alcohol License/ Members Get Together /Sept. 8, 2018
George Faggas of the Hellenic Cultural Center appeared in support of the application.
He stated that the Tigrean Community Center has held several events at the Hellenic
Cultural Center in the past and that there have been no issues. The Police Department
reported that it 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 Building, Fire, and Health Departments, and voted to grant the
license, subject to the conditions requested by the Police, Building, Fire, and Health,
Departments.
• Watertown Boys & Girls Club 25 Whites Ave Approved 3-0
One Day all Alcohol License/Beer Garden/September 22, 2018
Ms. Renee Gaudette from the Watertown Boys & Girls Club and Mr. Daniel
McCarthy, event chairman of the Town's Faire on the Square events, appeared in
support of the application. The Beer Garden will coincide with the annual Faire on
the Square. There will be one entrance and exit, which will be staffed by two
security persons, and admission will be restricted to those of legal drinking age. All
patrons who are admitted will be provided a wristband. Tickets will be sold inside
the venue to purchase beer and wine. The applicant will furnish portable restroom
facilities. The venue will be barricaded to restrict access and prevent alcohol from
being taken from the premises. A food truck that has windows both inside and
outside the venue will be present to serve patrons. Alcohol will be served by
bartenders, who will be located in front of a beer truck furnished by August A.
Busch. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Watertown Boys & Girls Club.
The Police Department reported that it 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 Building, Fire, and Health Departments,
and voted to grant the license, subject to the conditions requested by the Police,
Building, Fire, and Health Departments.
2. Mckeuch, Inc., d/b/a The Diner Approved 3-0
11 North Beacon Street
Extension of License to Include Sundays 6 Day to 7 Day/Change of Hours
3. KGM, LLC d/b/a DEMOS RESTAUARANT
64 Mt. Auburn Street
Alteration of Premise
4. The Escort Limousine Corporation
d/b/a Escort Limousine & Atlantic Coach
95 Arsenal Street
Show Cause Hearing
Start: 7:20PM
End: 8:30PM
Approved 3-0
Show Cause Hearing Closed
Continued from July 19, 2018
Donna B. Doucette, Chairman
Present: Steven W Aylward, Sandra Kasabian Hoffman
McKeuch, Inc.
d/b/a The Diner
11 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
The Watertown Licensing Board met to consider the applications of McKeuch, Inc. d/b/a
The Diner for an extension of the all alcohol common victualer license exercised at 208-210
Waverley Avenue to authorize Sunday service and for a change of hours of operation.
Attorney Kenneth Leitner and Ms. Lisa Keuchkarian, a director of the corporation,
appeared in support of the application. Attorney Leitner and Ms. Keuchkarian explained that the
licensee seeks the expanded hours for service of alcohol to include Sundays and dinner service.
The licensee recently purchased the building where The Diner is located. Previously, the lease
that was in place limited the hours of operation. The licensee indicated that the change was
necessary in order to be more competitive with other establishments in the area and that it
intends to remain a family dining venue. Approximately 2% of its current sales are attributable
to alcohol.
The Health Department reported that the licensee must contact the department to update
its food operation permit application to reflect the change of hours.
Sergeant Grady stated that the Police Department had no objection to the issuance of the
requested license provided that the conditions stated below were imposed.
The Licensing Board voted unanimously to authorize the extension to include Sunday
service and the change of hours, subject to the following conditions:
1. The new hours of operation shall be Monday through Saturday 7:00 a.m. through
9:00 p.m. and Sunday 7:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. The new hours for the service
of alcohol shall be Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m. and
Sunday 12:00 p.m. (noon) through 6:00 p.m.
2. All other conditions of the license shall remain the same and in effect.
KGM, LLC
c/o Emmanuel Maherakis, Manager
21 Keenan Street
Watertown, MA 02472
The Watertown Licensing Board met to consider the application of KGM, LLC d/b/a
Demos Restaurant for approval of the alteration of its premises at 60-64 Mt. Auburn Street
licensed for all alcohol common victualer service, to add a handicapped accessible bathroom on
the first floor.
Attorney Kenneth Leitner and Emmanuel Maherakis, a principal of the LLC,
appeared in support of the application. Attorney Leitner stated that the licensee met with the
Plumbing Inspector, who agreed that the licensee could install a single handicapped accessible
bathroom on the first floor to replace the existing restrooms located upstairs. No other changes
will be made to the service area. He anticipates that the licensee will complete the work and
reopen in approximately thirty (30) days. To date, a considerable amount of work has been done
to improve the premises and make it ADA compliant.
The Health Department reported that the applicant is engaged in the plan review process
and has been approved for renovations to the establishment.
The Zoning Enforcement Officer reported that there shall be no increase to the amount of
seating.
The Building Department reported that the applicant has obtained a permit for the work,
which is ongoing and consists of interior and accessibility renovations, and that inspectors have
been on -site for preconstruction meetings.
Sgt. Grady stated that the Police Department had no objection to the alteration of the
premises, provided that the condition stated below was imposed.
The Licensing Board voted unanimously to approve an alteration of premises for the
addition of a handicapped accessible bathroom, subject to the following conditions:
1. All conditions of the issued license shall remain the same.
The Escort Limousine Corporation
d/b/a Escort Limousine & Atlantic Coach
95 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Attn. Peter Cruza
The Watertown Licensing Board held a status hearing on the show cause hearing, which
had been continued from July 19, 2018 concerning failure to pay property taxes on property
located at 0 and 48 North Beacon Street.
No one appeared at the hearing on behalf of the licensee. The Licensing Board voted
unanimously to close this matter as the property taxes at issue have been paid in full.
Board Chairman Doucette stated that the Town's Treasurer/Collector had provided a
status update as of August 13, 2018 confirming that all installments on a payment plan for the
outstanding tax obligation had been made.