2026-11-05 - License Commission

00:02again.

02:15I know you.

03:26>> [music]

03:53[music]

04:05[music]

05:11>> Are you ready?

06:00>> [music]

07:00>> That's fine.

07:12Good evening. This is the November 5th

07:15meeting 2026 [clears throat]

07:17of the uh lower license commission. Um

07:21Mr. Secretary, was the uh meeting

07:24posted?

07:25>> Yes, it was.

07:26>> A roll call, please.

07:27>> Commission Chair Donahghue

07:29>> here.

07:30>> Commissioner Kger is absent.

07:31Commissioner Mercier

07:33>> here.

07:33>> Commissioner Underwood

07:35>> here.

07:36>> Commissioner Wong is absent at the

07:38moment. He is expected a little later.

07:41Three present. None. Two absent.

07:45We will have to skip the first and

07:47second items

07:51because we do not have everybody there

07:53for those votes.

07:56>> Right. Second one and two. Next is

07:59applications by Rachel Chandler for four

08:01special one-day licenses to sell,

08:03dispense wines, and malt beverages only

08:05at Hive Public Market, 101 Page Street.

08:09First is for film and honk band on

08:11Saturday, November 21st from 3:00 to

08:1310:00 p.m. And the next three

08:18events, December 5th, December 12th,

08:21December 19th from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00

08:24p.m. are for Sip and Shops on Saturday.

08:30>> Okay.

08:30>> Hi.

08:31>> Good evening.

08:31>> Good evening.

08:32>> Your name and address for the record?

08:34>> Rachel Chandler, 101 page.

08:37>> Okay. Rachel, a brief uh synopsis of

08:40what these uh events are going to be.

08:42Are they all leading up to Christmas?

08:44>> So, yes. And uh the easy parts, the sip

08:48and shops are those are the the

08:52Saturdays that are shopping of uh that

08:54are available for shopping in the month

08:56of December only. So, those are Yeah.

08:58pretty obvious. Those are just trying to

09:00make that feel a little more special for

09:02customers. Um

09:05the film and honk band on Saturday,

09:07November 21st, which is coming up, um is

09:12I'm going to take this opportunity to

09:13shamelessly plug the event. We've got an

09:16indie film director who did uh several

09:20films that were part of the Netflix

09:23library who has released a new film and

09:26he is on tour with it and he is coming

09:28up here to LOL um as his Boston stop u

09:33before he heads on to Maine and then

09:35over to Portland um Oregon and all that.

09:39>> Um so that's a pretty exciting thing.

09:41Um, and so we're just going to offer

09:43some beer and wine during the the meet

09:46and greet in that film. And then the

09:48evening is uh is a party van party band

09:53event. So there's a couple of brass

09:56bands unrelated to the afternoon. Long

10:01days these days.

10:04>> Okay. And you have uh tip certified

10:06bartenders for each of the events.

10:08>> Myself and Yep. And we have a staff

10:10member who works that with me.

10:12>> Any questions by the commissioners?

10:14>> No.

10:15>> No question. No questions. Move approved

10:18by Commissioner Mercy. A second by

10:19Commissioner Underwood. All those in

10:21favor?

10:22>> Say I. I.

10:24>> Thank you. Good luck.

10:26>> Thank you so much.

10:29application by Ashley Muddy, manager of

10:31Free Spirits Events Company, for two

10:33special one-day licenses to sell

10:35dispense wines and malt beverages only

10:38for the LOL Community Charter Public

10:39School events at Mill number 5250

10:42Jackson Street. The first event is a

10:44staff holiday party on Friday, December

10:4711th, 2026 from 4 to 8:00 p.m. And the

10:51second event is a learners to leaders on

10:54Thursday, April 15, 2027.

10:58It should be 2027 from 5 to 8:00 p.m.

11:02Ashley's joining us on Zoom.

11:06[clears throat]

11:06>> Hello.

11:07>> Good evening, Ashley. your name and

11:09address for the record

11:10>> is Ashley Muddy and my address is one

11:13coming street Plymouth, New Hampshire

11:1503264.

11:17>> Okay. And you want to tell us about your

11:18two events briefly?

11:20>> Sure. Yep. They're both for the L public

11:22charter school. We have done that

11:24learners to leaders events. I think this

11:26is the fourth time that we've done it.

11:28Um so that's a fundraiser for their

11:31school. And then the other more um

11:35upcoming event is their holiday party.

11:39Okay. Uh and uh

11:45uh if I might uh the learners to readers

11:49on Thursday

11:52says April

11:53>> 2027.

11:55>> 27. Okay. This is 26 on

11:59>> Yes.

11:59>> 27. Okay. Very good. All right. Thank

12:02you. All right. Uh, you have bartenders

12:06that are tip certified?

12:08>> I do.

12:09>> Okay. Uh, any questions from the

12:11commissioners?

12:14>> No questions. Move approval by

12:16Commissioner Underwood, second by

12:17Commissioner Garcia. All those in favor?

12:20>> I.

12:20>> I. Good luck.

12:22>> Thank you so much.

12:24>> Okay.

12:27Application by Ernest Lugo, license

12:29manager of Tesco Bar Performance Center

12:32for special event permit to invite and

12:34include 18 to 20 year old persons to the

12:36alcohollicicensed establishment at 72

12:39Middle Sex Street. The events to take

12:42place on Wednesday, November 18th, 2026

12:45from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

12:49>> Good evening. Your name and address for

12:50the record?

12:51>> Ernest Lugal, 72 Middle Sex Street.

12:54>> Okay.

12:55You want to tell us about your planned

12:56event?

12:57>> It's a event for uh Mosaic

13:01in Lowel. They have some sort of award

13:05ceremony and they going they inviting

13:07everybody and it is from uh 5 to 7. I'm

13:11going to have my um manager tell you

13:14more about it.

13:15>> No, I was going to say I believe we have

13:16a Laura Tvarez joining us with uh on

13:19virtual.

13:20>> I'm sorry. Yes,

13:20>> I believe we have Laura Tvaris

13:23uh virtually here with us. Is that

13:25correct?

13:26>> She's on Zoom.

13:28>> Okay.

13:28>> Yes.

13:29>> Yeah. I apologize. I'm in a dark parking

13:31lot, so I look like

13:32>> Oh, okay.

13:33>> I look like I should be here on

13:35Halloween. Um, so Laura,

13:37>> Could I have your name and address for

13:39the record?

13:40>> Yes, absolutely. Laura Tvaris, 72

13:43Richardson Street, and I work for the

13:44Greater L Community Foundation at 100

13:47Marramac Street. Um, so this is our

13:49annual, it's referred to as the Pache

13:51Cucha. It is a celebration of our

13:54grantees. So, Mosaic LOL, which is part

13:57of the arts initiatives at the community

13:59foundation. We um give artists and

14:03creative projects $1,000 grants to help

14:06them do what they do and what their

14:08project is. So, this event is the second

14:11year we're going to run it. Um grantees

14:13are invited to come and give a very

14:15short presentation on their project. Um

14:18and it's a great opportunity for them to

14:20share their creative work and for folks

14:22to network with one another. Um we did

14:25do it last year um at Cotto. Um it was

14:28really wellreceived so we're super happy

14:30to be doing it again.

14:34>> All right. Uh

14:39[clears throat]

14:41this uh

14:44>> you're you will be the manager on the

14:46evening. Is that correct?

14:47>> Correct, sir. As well as the bartender,

14:49the only bartender or person.

14:51>> Okay.

14:52>> Behind. Yes.

14:52>> And the 18 to 20 year olds that are

14:55coming, are they from the part of the uh

14:58Greater Lo Community Foundation?

15:01>> Yes, there's going to be some from

15:02there. um possibly me family members who

15:06might be below the age of 21 as well

15:08which is why we're submitting this

15:10application.

15:11>> All right.

15:11>> Y

15:13>> any questions by any of the uh

15:15>> so it's more of a community event for

15:18the uh community foundation was it

15:21>> correct?

15:22>> Correct. Yeah. It's part of the arts

15:24initiatives under Mosaic L.

15:26>> Okay. Just one more question to Captain

15:29Peasley. I know we did something a few

15:30weeks ago for 18 year olds. Was it any

15:32incident or anything? Never anyone went

15:35>> Thank you, Mr. Commission. No, there

15:36were no incidents in the last event.

15:38>> Thank you.

15:40>> Okay. Uh, Commissioner, any questions?

15:43>> All right. Uh,

15:44>> well, the Greater Lolo Community

15:47Foundation is a well-known organization

15:49in the area and uh with a good

15:52reputation. Uh as you know I have some

15:56concerns and I expressed them at the

15:59last meeting about under 21

16:04and uh

16:06I'm and I I feel that it's good to hear

16:09that the last event went off without a

16:12hitch. Uh, and I was questioning whether

16:15how I would do on vote on this, but with

16:19the Greater Alo Community Foundation as

16:22the party, I think it you hint you're

16:25going with some reputable

16:27>> and reputable organization and

16:31I will I will vote in favor of it. Uh,

16:34>> I'll make a motion

16:36>> based on motion moved by Commissioner

16:38Mercy, a second by Commissioner

16:40Underwood.

16:42All those in favor

16:44>> I

16:44>> I

16:44>> I

16:46>> Good luck.

16:47>> Great. Thank you so much.

16:48>> Good luck with the uh

16:51>> eventation.

16:56>> I'd like to note at this time that

16:58Commissioner Wong has joined the meeting

17:02is now

17:03>> good evening.

17:05>> Thank you.

17:07Application by Claudia Carrero, Corner

17:09Crust and Crumb Incorporated for Common

17:11Viddler license for premises at 165

17:14Chelmsford Street.

17:16>> Wondering who this woman.

17:17>> Hi, my name is Claudia Carrero. I'm a

17:19manager of the Corner Crest and Crump.

17:22Uh we just opened recently like uh

17:25September 14th. Uh we're just going to

17:28It's a pizzeria. It's a sub shop. A lot

17:30of sweets too.

17:32>> I'm I'm sorry. I just needed to ask you

17:35your name and address for the record.

17:37>> Okay. My name is Claudia Kaido and the

17:41address is 165 Shamsaw Street in Lowel.

17:46>> Okay. Thank you.

17:46>> Yes.

17:47>> And I know you've done a lot of work on

17:48the building. [laughter]

17:50>> Yeah.

17:50>> I've been I've go by it regularly and uh

17:54>> it was a lot of interior work that was

17:56done.

17:57>> It was It took us a year to renew all

17:59that.

18:00>> Okay.

18:01>> Used to be a bar before. Now it's

18:04>> any questions by the commissioners?

18:05>> Just what was there before at that

18:08corner?

18:08>> Was the bar?

18:10>> Yeah. What was the Do you know

18:11>> what was that?

18:12>> What what the what was the what was the

18:14uh far that there was right before you?

18:17>> Was it

18:17>> Do you know uh what was there?

18:20>> What was the

18:21>> the name of the place?

18:22>> Box. Something like that.

18:24>> I think it was uh Box, Mr.

18:26>> Oh, Box. Oh, Box.

18:29>> Okay. All right. I'm good. Thank you.

18:31Okay.

18:33>> Move approval by Commissioner Mercy, a

18:36second by Commissioner Underwood. All

18:38those in favor?

18:39>> I

18:40>> I thank you. Good luck with it.

18:42>> Thank you so much. Good night.

18:46>> Application by Angel Ramos, so

18:48proprietor Angel's Auto Care for Class 2

18:50dealer license for premises at 45

18:53Metocraft Street, Metocraftoft Street,

18:55Unit One.

18:57>> Okay. Good evening. Your name and

18:58address for the record? Angel F. Ramos 7

19:01Rita AB Hudson New Hampshire.

19:03>> Okay. Angel, you want to tell us about

19:05your plan business?

19:07>> Uh yes. Angel's Auto Care is um actually

19:11own and operate uh for 9 years. She want

19:15to expand it to

19:17a four car um dealer

19:20display.

19:25How many cars are you talking about?

19:27>> Four.

19:28>> Four. Okay. I remember I remember that

19:33we licensed that a few years ago. Uh

19:38my memory. It's a small lot, isn't it?

19:42Are you on the left or the right side of

19:44the building?

19:45>> If I'm standing with the building behind

19:47me, I'm on to the right closest to the

19:49railroad tracks.

19:50>> Right by the railroad tracks. Okay. All

19:52right.

19:55Any questions?

19:59No question.

20:01>> Move uh any everything [clears throat]

20:02is in order. Um Mr. Secretary, thank

20:05you. Uh move approval by Commissioner

20:09Mercy, a second by Commissioner Ang. All

20:11those in favor?

20:12>> I

20:13>> I Good luck.

20:14>> All right. Thank you.

20:15>> Y.

20:19>> Next is the continuation of the public

20:21hearing to discuss low

20:24alcoholic beverages regulations.

20:45All right. Uh, Mr. Wood, uh, is there

20:48anything you want to say to, uh, get us

20:51underway?

20:52>> Yes. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um,

20:54let me turn to the uh amendments that

20:56our office has made to the proposed uh

20:59regulations based on feedback that I

21:01received both from the commission and

21:02the members of the community who spoke

21:04at the public hearing uh back in August.

21:07Um, so for uh restaurants, as the

21:10commission may recall uh uh back in uh

21:13well, let me back up for a second. So

21:14during the August 13th uh 2026 license

21:17commission meeting, uh the commission

21:19has voted for the first time to adopt a

21:21general on premises license. uh and that

21:23was a helpful and necessary step for

21:26creating a separation of bars and

21:27restaurants. So, what we're going to be

21:29doing tonight uh is the commission will

21:31discuss what are going to be the

21:32specific regulations applicable to bars

21:35and what are going to be the specific

21:37regulations applicable to restaurants.

21:39So, let me start by talking about the

21:41regulations that we're proposing as to

21:43restaurants. Uh we are proposing modest

21:45regulations uh that I want to emphasize

21:47will have little to no effect on the

21:49vast majority of restaurants that are

21:52licensed to sell uh alcohol here in

21:54Lowel. Um the first thing we propose uh

21:56is that we will require uh restaurant

21:58alcohol licenses to serve suitable food

22:01which is defined uh in our uh proposed

22:03regulation as food that is not a

22:05prepackaged snack. Uh again the vast

22:08majority of restaurants in law will

22:09already do this. Uh second, restaurants

22:11have to serve food at all hours of

22:13alcohol service up until last call. If

22:16they want to offer a smaller, more

22:17limited menu, uh for example, say after

22:2010:00, you know, you have a more a

22:21smaller menu, that's allowed, you're

22:23allowed to do it as long as suitable

22:25food is being served at all operating

22:26hours, you're in compliance with these

22:28regulations. Again, vast majority of

22:30restaurants in Lowa already do this. Uh

22:32third, if the commission had reason to

22:34believe an establishment that's licensed

22:36as a bar is in fact uh operating uh

22:39that's licensed as a restaurant, excuse

22:40me, is in fact operating as a bar, uh

22:42the commission or LO PD can ask the

22:44Lency to provide proof that their food

22:46sales are a substantial part of their

22:48business. And this is the first major

22:50change that we made to the proposed

22:52regulations. Uh Mr. Chairman, in our

22:53original draft, we proposed that 40% of

22:56annual revenue had to be derived from

22:58food sales,

22:59>> right? And as discussed in the last

23:01meeting, we reached uh that number

23:03because there were two other gateway

23:04cities that had a similar proposal. One

23:06at 50%, one at 40. After receiving

23:09feedback from the commission, we've

23:10amended our proposal to have the cutoff

23:12be at 35% annual revenue from food

23:15sales. Uh fourth is that when a new

23:18applicant is seeking a restaurant

23:20alcohol license, they may have to

23:22provide uh with their application a copy

23:24of their menu they intend to serve for

23:26the commission's uh review and approval.

23:28And if the lency changes the menu

23:30substantially, the license must submit

23:32that menu for the commission's uh review

23:34and approval. The purpose of that is

23:36really to make sure as as what's

23:37happened in the past that a lency

23:39doesn't come here operating as a

23:41restaurant and then suddenly stop

23:42operating the kitchen, stop serving

23:44food. And that's that's the underlying

23:46reason behind that change. Uh again, our

23:48our proposed regulations uh have

23:51specifically exempted function halls uh

23:54that are full-time public amusement

23:55venues. So, Showcase Cinemas, Low

23:58Memorial Auditorium, the Song Center and

24:00Taffida are not subject to these uh

24:02regulations. It's going they're going to

24:03operate exactly the same even with these

24:05new regulations. Nothing changes. Uh and

24:08again, it it's not going to have an

24:10impact uh on the vast majority of

24:11restaurants. This is tailored at

24:13establishments that are currently

24:15licensed as restaurants, but are in fact

24:17operating as bars. So, that turns now to

24:20the general on premises uh regulation.

24:23So under our proposed regulation uh no

24:25general on premises lency can emit

24:28anyone under 21 without obtaining

24:30permission from the license commission

24:32to obtain that permission. We have

24:33proposed that the commission create a

24:35special 1-day 18 to 20 permit which the

24:38license uh the lency would have to apply

24:41for. They'd have to describe their plan

24:43for ensuring that under 21 aren't served

24:45alcohol security protocols etc. and the

24:48commission would have discretion to

24:49either grant or deny that permit based

24:52on the adequacy of the safety plans or a

24:54history of violations before the license

24:56commission. In our original draft, we we

24:58wanted to give the commission uh a broad

25:00leeway on how long they wanted the

25:02license to be for. Based on feedback,

25:04we're now proposing that this regulation

25:06just be a special one-day license just

25:08like with with other special one-day uh

25:10licenses. Um, and then lastly, uh, you

25:13know, one other concern I want to

25:14discuss, uh, which our office discussed

25:16internally when coming up with these

25:17regulations was, well, what if you have

25:19a bar that's currently, uh, has a

25:21restaurant license that chooses not to

25:24change their license to a general on

25:25premises to evade having to apply for an

25:2818 to 20-year-old permit? Is there a way

25:30we can subject them to the same rules

25:32even if they don't apply to become a

25:35general on premises? So from what our

25:37research uh Worcester had a very helpful

25:39solution which is to say that the rules

25:41for admitting under 21 apply to both

25:44general on premises and

25:47uh restaurants quote unquote that have

25:49an assembly use nightclub designation on

25:52their certificate of occupancy or their

25:54certificate of inspection that's issued

25:56by the building commissioner. And the

25:58idea being that if the building

25:59commissioner has decided that you're a

26:00bar or a nightclub then we should

26:02regulate you the same way. Uh and so

26:04what that means uh for LOL is that if

26:06this regulation is adopted,

26:08establishments like the Blue Shamrock

26:10and the Tesco Bar because they have

26:11these designations, they will have the

26:13same requirements as bars because they

26:15currently have the A2N designation on

26:17their building permit. Uh again, law

26:19department's position is these

26:20regulations are going to help ensure

26:22there's a a separation between bars and

26:24restaurants in a way that does not

26:26unduly impact the business community

26:28that has been following the rules that

26:30is trying to make sure uh that folks

26:32under 21 aren't being served alcohol.

26:34And so for with that uh I request that

26:36you adopt uh these proposed regulations

26:38and I welcome any questions from the

26:39members of the commission. Thank you,

26:40Mr. Chairman.

26:43Uh the last part that you just spoke

26:46about the 21 for both is that wording

26:51not in here yet or

26:55>> uh I apologize. Do you mind just

26:56clarifying? Uh Mr. Chairman

26:57>> about under 21 for both application

27:01would be for both uh on premises general

27:04licenses and also for restaurant

27:07licenses. So, under our proposed

27:10regulation, what what we have is that if

27:13you are uh licensed as a restaurant, you

27:16do not have to apply for the special 18

27:19to 20 permit

27:21>> because you're a restaurant.

27:22>> Okay. Do we need to put that in there or

27:24>> in my opinion you do not, Mr. Chairman,

27:27uh because uh uh

27:29>> so basically we're not missing any

27:30wording.

27:31>> We are not, Mr. Chairman.

27:33>> Okay, great. All right. Thank you. Any

27:37questions by the commissioners?

27:40>> Excuse me.

27:42Two uh one question is how does this

27:45affect the private clubs? Is there any

27:47effect on them at all or they have a

27:49special license?

27:50>> No impact on the private membersonly

27:51clubs. Uh again the way we wrote these

27:53regulations uh it's that the regulations

27:56for general on premises and A2N only

27:58applies to those establishments and then

28:00the regulations that apply to

28:02restaurants only apply to restaurants.

28:04So, uh, private members only clubs again

28:06are not impacted by any of the

28:08regulations we're proposing tonight.

28:09>> Okay. And the other thing is I know, uh,

28:11the, uh, licensing commission has the

28:13authority to request re their revenue

28:16receipts to show that they're at that

28:18whether above or below to 35%.

28:20>> That's correct.

28:21>> Okay. One other question, and it's

28:22nitpicking, but I figured to get rid of

28:24it right now. It says that uh,

28:28uh, I'm sorry, I lost my spot where it

28:30says about changing the menu. Mhm.

28:32>> A substantial change to the menu has to

28:35be approved by the board. What what's

28:38considered substantial? Is it like just

28:41seems like it could be somebody go,

28:42"Well, we didn't think that." You know,

28:45>> that's a good question.

28:45>> It's just the wording part of it that

28:47>> Yeah, that that that's a good question.

28:48Uh Commissioner Mercier, um the concern

28:51we were trying to address, which is why

28:53I use the phrase substantial, is you

28:55might have uh an establishment that has

28:57to make minor tweaks to a menu. uh and

29:00that may and what I want to avoid is

29:02having to have them constantly go before

29:04the license commission for every minor

29:06change. Uh so for example, I I I

29:08regularly visit uh on the bun. There was

29:10uh the manager indicated to me that he

29:12might have a a few small tweaks to his

29:14menu coming up,

29:15>> but they're they're very minor uh and

29:17and trivial in comparison to the overall

29:19menu. So

29:20>> do you see any future problems if

29:22somebody doesn't comply with that and we

29:24have to bring them in? Is there going to

29:25be a will they end up will they have a

29:29a reason to say well we didn't think it

29:31was substantial or do you think it would

29:32just work itself out?

29:34>> So I I think it's probably something

29:35that will work itself out uh

29:37Commissioner Mercy you know in this and

29:38all all things uh certain legal terms of

29:41art will always be have some amount of

29:43subjectivity to them. Uh a lot of what

29:45we discuss in law school about the term

29:47reasonleness for example is something

29:50constantly

29:50>> it just popped out at me

29:51>> uh debated. I think I think what it's

29:53really aimed at trying to combat is a

29:55situation where you have a lency that

29:57decides, well, we're we're just going to

29:58stop uh serving any food. We're just not

30:01going to operate as an establishment

30:02anymore. We're not going to serve

30:04prepackaged food. And and that would

30:05certainly meet the definition of

30:07substantial change to a menu.

30:10>> Okay, I'm good.

30:12>> How long will restaurants and bars have

30:14to change their license from a

30:16restaurant to a bar or vice versa?

30:18>> That's an excellent question, uh,

30:19Commissioner Underwood. So the

30:20commission uh I would recommend would

30:22vote on uh a specific date of compliance

30:25tonight. Uh so one proposal that that

30:28you could do is is have it that uh the

30:30regulations are effective at the end of

30:33this calendar year or or at a later and

30:35earlier date that the commission feels

30:37is appropriate. I do think that there

30:39should be some amount of time that the

30:42licences are afforded to make the

30:44necessary changes. If an establishment

30:46is currently licensed as a restaurant

30:47under our current rules and wants to

30:49change to a general on premises, we

30:50should afford them time to do that.

30:52>> I was excuse me, I was going to ask John

30:56for some input on that. Uh

30:59>> well, something to keep in mind is that

31:02uh a change like this has to go through

31:05the ABCC and it costs money.

31:08Um it's not something that will happen

31:10instantly.

31:12So, it might be productive to set a

31:15deadline for the business to submit its

31:20application

31:23>> to change to whichever format it wants

31:26to be

31:28by a certain date

31:31and then understand that it may take

31:34them four months from that date to

31:36actually have the change on their

31:38license because that's how long it may

31:40take. going to Boston,

31:43>> right?

31:44>> That's

31:45>> and as we've talked about the ABCC can

31:47there can be a significant amount of

31:48time where an applicant might be

31:50waiting.

31:51>> It can go either way. Sometimes

31:52[clears throat] it goes very quickly and

31:54sometimes it doesn't.

31:55>> Yeah.

31:55>> Right.

31:56>> So like So the ABC has to approve this

32:00after we approve it.

32:01>> Yes. Is that

32:02>> correct? Uh because it because it's a

32:03change of license.

32:05>> Oh, okay.

32:09>> I didn't know that. I thought this was

32:12it. Yeah.

32:15>> Do they have to approve our changes?

32:17>> They do not have to. They do not have to

32:19approve our changes because

32:21>> commit them.

32:22>> Correct. Because what we're really what

32:23we've already done uh uh Commissioner

32:25Donghue is we've now adopted the

32:27provision of general laws chapter 138

32:29that allows for a general on premises.

32:31So we're now in alignment with what

32:33other gateway cities are doing in in

32:35that aspect. So all we're doing now is

32:36just supplementing our existing

32:38licensing scheme to have some clear

32:40regulations for this new license.

32:42>> Okay.

32:43>> So would it make sense to uh as John was

32:46saying to say they have to have their

32:49application in?

32:50>> Yes.

32:50>> By the first of the year.

32:52>> I I would

32:54>> but we can't do anything until the ABC

32:57gets back to us.

32:58>> So uh we can approve our part of the

33:01application. uh but the ABCC also

33:03approved theirs uh to be valid. Uh so

33:06you know as the commission has seen at

33:08at times uh a lency may come before us

33:11uh for a particular application it gets

33:13approved and then either it goes to the

33:15ABCC and it either gets granted or it

33:17gets denied as we've seen uh in recent

33:19cases

33:20>> right commissioner do you have any

33:22questions

33:23>> a quick question uh in terms of question

33:26the event for selling alcohol of having

33:29the miners 18 to 20 years old

33:34uh

33:36Is there any limitation?

33:41>> So,

33:43>> that's a good question. Uh,

33:44Commissioner, that is that is not

33:45currently in our proposed regulations.

33:47So, there's no hourly limitation. So,

33:49for example, uh if you want as a a

33:52general on premises to have a special 18

33:54to 20 event, uh you have to apply if the

33:57event is at noon or if it's at, you

34:00know, 8:00 at night, right? The

34:01commission could, if it wanted to, uh,

34:03propose uh an amendment to our current

34:05regulations to say this permit is only

34:08for late night uh, events if it's more

34:11concerned about uh, evening events with

34:14uh, underage patrons as opposed to uh,

34:17you know, say afternoon uh, events. Uh,

34:25>> uh,

34:25>> I I would submit though, Mr. Mr.

34:26Chairman, I think what we're what we're

34:28trying to do is just provide a a clear

34:30set of rules so that there's there's

34:32less kind of back and forth on

34:34>> Absolutely. And we can amend our rules

34:36if at any time if we see something down

34:38the road, but I I think at this point

34:41just having anybody coming in for

34:45uh underage,

34:47everybody's got to do it whether it's

34:49morning, afternoon, or evening. Uh I

34:52think it's important that we This is why

34:55we get into this. We wanted to stop the

34:57under21s getting into the bars, into

35:00into the restaurants, into licensed

35:02liquor establishments. So, I think

35:05that's what we're doing. Would you do

35:07you want us to vote on the special

35:10provisions as to certain types of liquor

35:13licenses that what we've just discussed

35:15is only on premise restaurant license

35:18and on premise general licenses.

35:21>> So, what I would recommend just

35:22>> that's section one.

35:23>> Uh, yes. So what what what I what I

35:25recommend is I would take the votes one

35:27at a time. So I would uh ask the

35:28commission vote first on part one which

35:30is related to the regulation specific to

35:33on premises versus general license.

35:36>> Right. I would ask for a second vote on

35:38the creation of the under 21 uh events

35:42uh the special 18 to 20 permit and then

35:44I would request the commission vote on

35:46uh our part three which is about

35:47creating uh just an updated set of

35:50managers responsibilities that just add

35:52some additional clarity to our existing

35:53regulations.

35:54>> Thank you. Okay.

35:56you. Motion by Commissioner Mercier to

36:01uh approve

36:04section one regulations specific to bars

36:07and restaurants. Uh provisions as to

36:10certain types of licenses, the two types

36:13of licenses. Uh do we have a second?

36:16>> Second will be by Commissioner

36:19Underwood.

36:21Uh I'm going to ask for a roll call

36:24vote. Uh please.

36:25>> Very good. Commissioner Donahghue.

36:27>> Yes.

36:28>> Commissioner Kger is absent.

36:31Commissioner Mercier.

36:33>> Yes.

36:33>> Commissioner Underwood.

36:34>> Yes.

36:35>> Commissioner Wong.

36:38>> Four in favor? None opposed.

36:43>> Section two. Is there anything you want

36:45to say on that?

36:46>> So section two, uh, we discussed this

36:49earlier, Mr. Chairman. This is just the

36:51establishment of the special 18 to20

36:53event permit. Uh and so this this part

36:55of the regulation documents what are the

36:57procedures for that specifically.

36:58>> Okay.

36:59>> Do we have a motion to

37:01>> I will have a motion.

37:02>> Motion to approve uh by Commissioner

37:05Underwood. Second by Commissioner Un

37:09uh roll call vote please.

37:12>> Commissioner Donahghue.

37:13>> Yes.

37:14>> Commissioner Kger is absent.

37:16Commissioner Mercier.

37:17>> Yes.

37:18>> Commissioner Underwood.

37:19>> Yes.

37:20>> Commissioner Wong.

37:21>> Yes.

37:23Thank you. And now section three.

37:27Anything attorney Wood you want to say?

37:29>> Absolutely. Just a a few things I want

37:31to mention uh regarding the manager's

37:33responsibilities uh section that we

37:35propose. Uh the first is um we looked at

37:38some neighboring municipalities and what

37:40they did to clarify uh you know the

37:42furnishing alcohol uh provisions of the

37:45alcohol regulations. So, uh, what our

37:48new regulation does, just to add some

37:49extra clarity, is to say that a lency is

37:52responsible to ensure that no one under

37:5421 is served or sold or in possession of

37:57or drinking alcohol, whether it's given

37:59to them by an employee or whether it's

38:00handed to them by a patron. Um, because

38:03we we want to provide that clarity.

38:04You're responsible to make sure that

38:06under 21 are not in possession of

38:08alcohol, whether it's handed to them or

38:10given by an employee or a patron. Um the

38:12other issue uh which which has come up

38:14in neighboring municipalities and and um

38:16there are some helpful regulations about

38:18it is making sure that a licensed

38:21alcohol manager isn't spreading

38:23themselves too thin with multiple

38:24different establishments so that they're

38:26not meaningfully able to pay attention

38:28to one particular establishment. So we

38:30include a new regulation saying that a

38:32licensed manager on file has to be

38:34actively involved in the day-to-day

38:35operations. They have to be on premises

38:37at least 50% of the alcohol service

38:39hours. Um, and then finally, there's

38:41just an update to the rules and

38:43regulations for uh promoters uh because

38:46this issue has come up at times uh

38:48during some other compliance hearings.

38:50Just add some clarity. If if a promoter

38:52does something, you as a licency are

38:54responsible for the promoter's actions.

38:56So, it's just making sure that you can't

38:57use the my promoter did it as a as a

39:00defense to violating the regulations.

39:03>> Any questions on section three by any of

39:06the commissioners?

39:08>> No. Commissioner, all set. Move approval

39:12by Commissioner Ang, second by

39:14Commissioner Underwood.

39:17>> All um please roll call.

39:20>> Commissioner Johnny,

39:21>> yes.

39:22>> Commissioner Kger is absent.

39:24Commissioner Mercier,

39:26>> yes.

39:26>> Commissioner Underwood,

39:27>> yes.

39:28>> Commissioner Wong,

39:29>> yes.

39:30>> Four in favor, none opposed.

39:34>> Um Mr. Chairman, one other thing I would

39:36just ask uh is that the commission also

39:39vote to set an effective date for when

39:40the lency must turn in the application

39:42papers.

39:44>> Does the end of the December 31st make

39:47sense?

39:48>> Uh that may be a better question for

39:50Secretary Py. Uh the commission could do

39:52that if if it's the will of the body.

39:54>> One just give me one sec.

39:58Um I would say

40:00>> whatever is convenient for you. I think

40:03because this is a busy time of year with

40:05>> Well, because all the licenses are

40:07renewing right now, I think I would

40:09choose something like at least the

40:11middle of January.

40:13>> Okay.

40:13>> Even if it's the 15th,

40:15>> I I think the motion will go to the end

40:17of January.

40:19>> Okay.

40:20>> I'm not sure what date go to January

40:2231st. Is it 31 days in January?

40:25>> Yes.

40:25>> Oh, thank See, that was a good

40:26>> 31st is a uh

40:28>> at 2027.

40:29>> Check. Let's see. that

40:32>> uh the 31st is a Sunday. Um

40:35>> oh the 29th Friday.

40:38>> All right. The 29th 2027 at 5:00 p.m. Do

40:41we have to say that or

40:44>> if it's a Friday it's noon?

40:45>> It's a Friday would have to be noon

40:46because city hall

40:47>> noon time. Yeah.

40:48>> Okay.

40:49>> So [snorts] would that work Friday the

40:5129th at 12:00 p.m. All the licenses have

40:54to Well, all the

40:55>> applications have to be submitted.

40:57>> We can make that work, Mr. Mercer.

40:59>> Okay. Effective date for the application

41:02to be submitted to the city is January

41:0429th, 27th, 12 noon. Uh what other

41:10is that the only one we need to make at

41:11this point?

41:13>> Yes, because once the application is

41:15submitted, then it it'll come through

41:17you guys.

41:18>> Okay.

41:19>> And then it'll go to the ABCC.

41:21>> Move approval by Commissioner Mercier,

41:23second by Commissioner H.

41:26All those in favor? I

41:28>> I

41:28>> I

41:33>> Okay.

41:35Uh, Attorney Wood, thank you for all the

41:37work you did. Uh, and, uh, John, and

41:41thank you for the efforts you both put

41:43into this. I know there was a lot of

41:47hours that we were not involved in even

41:50though we did get down to city hall and

41:52into your inner sanctum at [laughter]

41:55times to see the inner workings.

41:57>> It's a little cramped but but thank you

41:59Mr. Chairman.

42:00>> Thank you attorney. Thank you. All

42:03right.

42:04>> Okay. Next. Are are we ready?

42:06>> Yes.

42:07>> Okay. Um next is a request to continue

42:10the public hearing for an application by

42:12HLE Target Co. LLC doing business as

42:15showcase cinema to transfer the all

42:17alcoholic beverages restaurant license

42:19for 31 res at the November 19th 2026

42:24license commission meeting.

42:27>> Okay. Uh I might this is a second time

42:30right? It is and it's because they are

42:33actually adding changes

42:35>> and so they want to supplement. Um not

42:38all of the changes

42:40require a public hearing but they'd like

42:42to handle them all at once.

42:45>> Okay.

42:47Move approval by Commissioner Mercy, a

42:48second by Commissioner Ang. All those in

42:50favor?

42:51>> I

42:52>> I thank you.

42:54Next is a complaint regarding Lel

42:56Exchange Incorporated doing business as

42:58Lel Pond premises at 755 Lake View A.

43:06If I might, uh, [clears throat]

43:10this complaint, uh, was brought, uh, to

43:12the attention

43:14of

43:18executive secretarian put on the lifts,

43:21the complaint about placenta being

43:24charged

43:26by the local exchange. John is I I read

43:30these both.

43:31The first one is that an anonymous

43:35>> is that the anonymous person?

43:37>> Yes.

43:38>> Uh

43:39>> yes.

43:39>> Which may gives me some concern as to

43:43taking it concern but it since we have

43:46had it the complaint

43:49brought to our attention I don't think

43:51we can ignore completely. Uh, and I

43:55would ask that we refer this to the

43:57lower police department for an

43:59investigation.

44:02Um, I'll make

44:04>> motion by Commissioner Mercy, a second

44:05by Commissioner Underwood. All those in

44:08favor of referring to the LPD for

44:11investigation.

44:12>> I,

44:13>> all those I thank you.

44:16>> Okay.

44:18Next is a complaint regarding Sila Pond

44:20Brokers doing business as Presme's

44:23Jewelry and Pawn premise premises at 28

44:27Branch Street.

44:29>> Okay. I think this is a similar

44:31situation and we uh also should refer

44:34this to the police department. Any

44:35questions by the commissioners?

44:37>> No.

44:37>> No.

44:38>> No. Uh move approval by Commissioner

44:42Ang, second by Commissioner Underwood.

44:44All those in favor?

44:45>> I I

44:47>> Thank you.

44:51Next is a complaint regarding club pass

44:53attempts of Lowel Mass licensed on

44:56premises club premises at 369 to 371

45:01Moody Street.

45:03>> I uh any questions by any of the

45:06commissioners?

45:08>> No.

45:09>> No questions. Um

45:12I think it move approve refer to the

45:14lower police department.

45:17A motion by Commissioner Mercier, a

45:18second by Commissioner Underwood. All

45:20those in favor?

45:22>> I

45:22>> I And I might uh ask the captain,

45:26Captain, how much time do you do you

45:29think you're going to need to uh get

45:31these going? Uh so, [clears throat]

45:34coincidentally, Mr. Commissioner, myself

45:35and uh Attorney Wood and one of our

45:38detectives already started working on

45:39these. So, I I think it's deferred to

45:42Attorney Wood, but I think it's

45:43realistic to say we should have

45:44something for the next meeting.

45:47Okay. Uh uh

45:50>> the the only uh thing I have for the Are

45:53we going to have enough people? I

45:55because of a family uh event uh I'm not

45:59going to be here for the next uh

46:01meeting, but uh if we know we're going

46:04to have everybody else here,

46:05>> I'll be

46:06>> I'll be here.

46:07>> Okay. The 19th

46:10sounds good.

46:11>> And we should be able to do the uh club

46:13pass attempts as well by then. Thank

46:15you. A quick quick question on that and

46:18I I'm sure you're invest you'll

46:19investigate everything. It seems like uh

46:22from what I've read some of this I don't

46:24think some of these uh some of the

46:27complaints come under the preview of the

46:28licensing commission only because it's a

46:30private club and they've got their own

46:31board of directors and stuff but you'll

46:33break that all down for us as please.

46:35>> I I can report uh Commissioner Mercy I I

46:37I've conducted a preliminary review and

46:39I I had a similar takeaway that you did.

46:41some of these uh fall outside of what we

46:44have the jurisdiction to to handle. Uh

46:47so I I can just report it's it's under

46:48review uh currently by the law

46:50department and and we'll have a report

46:51for the next meeting.

46:52>> All right. Thank you.

46:53>> Thank you.

46:55>> Uh motion to adjurnn.

46:57>> Motion to adjurnn by Commissioner

46:58Mercier, second by Commissioner

47:00Underwood. All those in favor? I

47:02>> I thank you very much.

47:14>> [music]

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