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HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes NOVEMBER 19 2020 Licensing Board BOARD MEMBERS TOWN OF WATERTOWN DONNA B.DOUCETTE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING SANDRA KASABIAN HOFFMAN JOHN LABADINI 149 Main Street " '`✓ Watertown, Massachusetts 02472 ALTERNATE MEMBER TEL.(617)972-6486 FAX(617)972-6595 Minutes November 19, 2020 ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES SPECIAL LICENSES: 1. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: 2. Special Licenses: • Arsenal Yards 130 Arsenal Yards BLVD APPROVED 3-0 One Day Entertainment/Monday-Sunday November 23rd-December 24th Jessica Reed, marketing director, appeared in support of the application. She explained that the proposal is for music entertainment to go along with the outdoor propane fire pit series on the River Green area, adjacent to Shake Shack. A Fire Department permit for the fire pits has been obtained, and they will be a minimum of 10 feet from a building and other pits. The maximum will be six people per pit, and they will be offered by reservation only, with a small fee, which will go to the Watertown Boys and Girls Club and the Watertown Food Pantry. Staff will monitor entry to the area and COVID guideline compliance. There will be on-site signage, and hand sanitizer available; and the seating areas will be sanitized between uses. The reservation period will be 1.5 hours, with a half hour between reservations. Security staff will be present on a 24/7 basis, and one person will be assigned specifically to the area during event hours. Take-out food from Arsenal Yards restaurants will be allowed; no alcohol service will be included. The hours will be Monday through Saturday 3:00 - 8:30pm, and Sunday 11:30am—4:00pm. On Monday through Wednesday, there will be a recorded disc jockey presentation, and a live dj on Thursday. Friday through Sunday will include live music, with a family focused presentation on Sundays. 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 a report from the Health Department regarding compliance with COVID guidelines, and voted to grant the license, subject to the conditions requested by the Police and Health Departments, and for the period of November 23 —December 24 on the dates and at the times proposed, and per the specifications presented to the Board. Chair Doucette commented that the Board could consider an extension of the period at its December meeting. • Bottleneck Watertown,LLC d/b/a City Works Eatery&Pour House 91 Arsenal Yards Blvd December 31,2020 One Day All Alcohol License/NYE/Extended Hours APPROVED 3-0 Tim Benedict, facilities director, appeared in support of the application. He stated that the licensee is proposing a straight extension of hours, with standard service, for New Year's Eve. The Police Department reported that it had no objection to the granting of the extension, subject to the conditions in the department's written report. The Board acknowledged receipt of a report from the Health Department regarding compliance with COVID guidelines, and voted to approve the extension, subject to the conditions requested by the Police and Health Departments, and subject to any orders of the Governor or other state authority regarding operation of the business during the COVID- 19 pandemic state of emergency. 3. Bottleneck Watertown,LLC d/b/a City Works Eatery&Pour House APPROVED 3-0 91 Arsenal Yards Blvd Change of Hours 4. Pequosette Aerie#1928 of the Fraternal Order of Eagles 44-46 Mt.Auburn Street Continued to December 17, 2020 New Officers,Directors 5. Sain Karas The Hermit d/b/a The Spot Caf6 APPROVED 3-0 385 Main Street New Common Victualer License 6. Watertown Restaurant Corp d/b/a Porcini's APPROVED 3-0 68 School Street Change of Manager 7. Yogi Resources Inc. d/b/a Yogi's General Market Unanimously denied 218 Waverley Ave Change of Manager 8. License renewals for 2021 —consideration of changes to schedule of fees The Board convened a discussion regarding fees for 2021 renewal of all licenses issued by the Licensing Board, after having received various requests from the business community for either a reduction or waiver of fees relating to restaurants and alcohol licenses. Chair Doucette asked David Doneski, of Town Attorney KP Law, to comment on how this issue is being addressed in other communities. Attorney Doneski gave a brief report on some other Greater Boston cities and towns actions for alcohol licenses, as follows: some have reduced renewal fees—by 50% in Newton and Needham; some have not yet taken any action—Lexington and Belmont; some have waived fees—Quincy and Malden. Chair Doucette referenced a spreadsheet she had prepared showing license revenue for the Town,with a total of approximately $193,000 per year, of which on-premises alcohol licenses account for approximately $161,000, including innholders. Several members of the community made statements in consideration of fee relief for 2021: Town Council president Mark Sideris—the restaurant industry has been particularly affected by COVID, would request that the Board waive fees for 2021; Councilor-At-Large Caroline Bays— echoing what Councilor Sideris said, it is hard to ask payment for a license which may not be able to be used, please consider waiving fees; Councilor-At-Large Anthony Donato— the restaurant and hospitality industry is one of the first business segments approached for community causes and donations and it always steps up, the Town should support it in return; District C Councilor Vincent Piccirilli—request that the Board consider waiving fees, note that the Town expects to receive $500,000 in meals tax receipts,which will not be met if restaurants go out of business, the restaurant industry has been hit hardest by the pandemic, and local businesses employ local people; Bob Airasian, co-president of the Watertown Business Coalition—would appreciate consideration of a waiver for 2021, from the pandemic we have come to understand the power of collaboration; Doug Orifice, co-president of the Watertown Business Coalition—some restaurants are down on their business 50% and some as much as 80%, echo the waiver request. After a brief discussion, the Board unanimously voted to waive renewal fees for 2021, in particular the fees for licenses renewing at the start of 2021 (the January to December license period) or coming due for renewal in 2021. Board chair Doucette then noted that for an alcohol license issued under authorization of special act by the Legislature, the Board's action effectively makes the fee zero, since under the fee schedule set by the Town Council the fee is a multiple of the Licensing Board's fees. Start: 7:15PM End: 9:OOPM Donna B. Doucette, Chairman Present: Donna B. Doucette, Sandra Kasabian Hoffman, John Labadini Bottleneck Watertown, LLC d/b/a City Works Eatery and Pour House 2211 N. Elston Avenue Suite 206 Chicago, IL 60614 The Watertown Licensing Board met to consider the application of Bottleneck Watertown, LLC d/b/a City Works Eatery and Pour House for an extension and change of the hours of operation for its All Alcohol Common Victualer License exercised at 91 Arsenal Yards Boulevard. Tim Benedict, facilities director, appeared in support of the application. Mr. Benedict stated that a purpose of the extension is to add brunch hours on Saturday and Sunday. Sergeant Grady reported that the Police Department had no objection to a change of hours,provided that the conditions stated in items 1 —2 below were imposed. The Health Department reported that the licensee must adhere to the state's COVID-19 guidelines and occupancy limits. The Licensing Board voted unanimously to approve a change in hours, subject to the following conditions: I. The new hours of operation shall be Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.; Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.; and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 midnight. No alcohol shall be served before 12 noon on Sunday. 2. All other conditions of the existing license shall remain in place. 3. Hours of operation shall be subject to any orders of the Governor or other state authority regarding operation of the business during the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency. 4. Use and occupancy of the licensed premises are subject to any orders of the Governor or other state authority regarding operation of the business during the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency. Pequosette Aerie #1928 of the Fraternal Order of Eagles 44—46 Mt. Auburn Street Watertown, MA 02472 The Watertown Licensing Board has continued its hearing on the application of Pequosette Aerie #1928 of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, holder of an All Alcohol Club Beverage License exercised at 44—46 Mt. Auburn Street, for an approval of a change of its officers and directors. The application was originally scheduled for hearing on February 20, 2020 and was continued at the request of the licensee to March 19, 2020. On account of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, the Licensing Board did not meet again until May 21, 2020. At that time, the Board acknowledged a request from the applicant's attorney,by letter dated May 15, 2020, for a further continuance, to the Board's July meeting. At the July 16 meeting, the Board acknowledged a request from the applicant's attorney,by letter dated July 16, 2020, for a further continuance, to the Board's August meeting; and at the August 20 meeting, the Board acknowledged another request from the applicant's attorney,by letter dated August 19, 2020, for a continuance to the Board's September meeting. A further request for continuance was made by letter from the applicant's attorney dated September 17, 2020, and the matter was continued to October 15, 2020. On October 15, Attorney Ken Leitner appeared on behalf of the licensee and requested a further continuance to the Board's November meeting to allow for a complete filing package to the ABCC and State Secretary. On November 19, Attorney Leitner again appeared. He reported that an officer change had been voted in September, and that there were three pending CORI applications which had not been fully completed so that the Police Department has not had an opportunity to review them. Attorney Leitner stated he had filed the required information with the State Secretary,but had not yet obtained all information required to obtain a Department of Revenue certificate of good standing. He explained that he had not been able to meet with the designated representative of the club, and requested a further continuance to the Board's December meeting. Board chair Doucette stated that she was concerned about the ability of the organization to do the required administrative tasks for this application. The continued hearing on this application will be held on December 19, 2020 Via Zoom. Sain Karas the Hermit, Inc. d/b/a The Spot Cafe 702 Main Street Millis, MA 02054 The Watertown Licensing Board met to consider the application of Sain Karas the Hermit, Inc. d/b/a The Spot Cafe for a Common Victualer License to be exercised at 385 Main Street. Youssef Agaiby Mikhaeil, president, appeared in support of the application, together with his son, acting as a translator. Mr. Agaiby Mikhaeil reported that his company is taking over the existing Spot Cafe. His wife will be the manager, and another son will work on-site, running the business as a family operation. He stated that no change to the current mode of operation of the restaurant is planned. He added that he had been helping the current licensee operate the business for the past month or so. Sergeant Grady stated that the Police Department had no objection to the granting of the license,provided that the conditions stated in items 1 through 4 above were imposed. The Health Department reported that the applicant had submitted an application for, and must obtain, a food establishment permit before it could operate the business on its own. The Licensing Board voted unanimously to grant a Common Victualer License, subject to the following conditions: I. The description of the licensed premises is as follows: estimated 900 square feet, with two bathrooms, kitchen, dining area, with one entrance, one exit and a basement for storage. 2. Seating capacity shall be 20 persons. 3. The hours of operation shall be Monday through Sunday 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. 4. There shall be no alcoholic beverages allowed on the licensed premises. 5. The applicant must obtain a food establishment permit from the Health Department. Watertown Restaurant Corp. d/b/a Porcini's 68 School Street Watertown, MA 02472 The Watertown Licensing Board met to consider the application of Watertown Restaurant Corp. d/b/a Porcini's for approval of a change of manager of its premises at 68 School Street licensed for all alcohol common victualer service. Joseph Beale, general manager and the proposed new manager, appeared in support of the application. Mr. Beale stated that he has over 26 years of food service industry experience, mostly on the beverage side, and is TIPS certified. He reported that all but two servers at the restaurant are TIPS certified, and that he has told them they must get certification before they will be assigned to another work shift. Sergeant Grady reported that the Police Department had no objection to the proposed change of manger,provided that the conditions stated below were imposed. The Licensing Board voted unanimously to approve Joseph Beale as manager, subject to the following conditions: 1. The new manager, Joseph Beale, shall ensure that all employees and servers of alcohol attend and successfully complete an alcohol awareness training program (e.g., TIPS) immediately upon hire or expiration of certification. 2. All other conditions of the license shall remain in place. Yogi Resources, Inc. d/b/a Yogi's General Market 218 Waverley Avenue Watertown, MA 02472 The Watertown Licensing Board met to consider the application of Yogi Resources, Inc. d/b/a Yogi's General Market for approval of a change of manager of its premises at 218 Waverley Avenue licensed for wine and malt package goods store sales. Yogendrakumar Vyas,president, and Yajaira Pantoja, the proposed manager, appeared in support of the application. Ms. Pantoja stated that she has worked at another convenience store, in Watertown, at which alcohol was sold, and that she would request identification when she was not familiar with a customer looking to purchase alcohol. She added that she is TIPS certified. Sergeant Grady reported that the Police Department requested denial of the application at this time, because after review it had deemed the proposed manager unsuitable. Board chair Doucette stated that the licensee could have a follow-up discussion with Sergeant Grady, since there was Police Department information which should not necessarily be discussed in an open meeting. The Licensing Board voted unanimously to deny the application based on the report of the Police Department.