2026-11-05 - License Commission Meeting

00:00I'm Anthony Vigliotti. I'll be chairing

00:02today's meeting of the Worcester License

00:04Commission

00:05November 5th 2026

00:08and just a few brief announcements

00:10before we proceed with the formal

00:12hearing.

00:16Today's meeting is a hybrid meeting,

00:17which means it is both in person and you

00:20can access it online.

00:22We ask folks that are online to please

00:25mute their computers by hitting star six

00:28and unmute it by hitting star six once

00:30again.

00:31It's a public meeting. It means this

00:33vote being recorded and minutes will be

00:34taken and published at a later date.

00:37We ask all speakers participating to

00:39please use the microphone that you are

00:41here. If you're online,

00:44please speak clearly into the microphone

00:46so we can hear you. Please state your

00:48name, where you live, and then address

00:51the application that is before the

00:53License Commission.

00:55Several items on the agenda may be

00:56postponed or continued. I'll read those

00:59as we go through the agenda. It is your

01:01responsibility to make sure

01:03that you follow through on the

01:05continuance of that particular item.

01:08The conduct of the meeting is as

01:09follows. Petitioner is called.

01:11Petitioner will make initial

01:12presentation.

01:14Board will make comments.

01:17Members of the public, both present and

01:19online, will have the ability to ask

01:21questions and make comments

01:23and

01:25any other persons that may have an

01:27interest would be asking.

01:29If it applied for a regular liquor

01:31license today,

01:32uh it'll be uploaded to the Alcohol

01:34Beverage Control Commission within 48

01:36hours.

01:37Application will be assigned to a state

01:39investigator who will review, will

01:41question and have questions with you.

01:44It generally takes four to six weeks.

01:46In the meantime, the responsibility is

01:49yours to make sure you have all of your

01:51building code and health permits.

01:54With that, I call to order the meeting

01:56of the License Commission for November

01:585th 2026.

02:00Motion to approve the minutes of October

02:0322nd, 2026.

02:06>> Second. Commissioner Cruz?

02:08Oh, she's not here. She's not here.

02:10Commissioner Fisher?

02:11>> Yes.

02:11>> Gia Vigliotti?

02:12>> Yes.

02:13>> First item on the agenda, one-day liquor

02:16entertainment request Ashland Brewing

02:18LLC was the holiday market 211

02:21Commercial Street mercantile building

02:24request for one-day liquor license for

02:26Thursday, November 19th 4 to 8 p.m.

02:29Friday, November 20th noon to 6 p.m.

02:33[snorts] Saturday, November 21st noon to

02:366 p.m. Sunday, November 22nd 11 a.m. to

02:405 p.m. Thursday, December 3rd 4 p.m. to

02:448 p.m. Friday, December 4th noon to 6

02:48p.m. Saturday, December 5th noon to

02:526 p.m. and Sunday, December 6th 11 a.m.

02:57to 5 p.m.

02:58Anyone present or online to address this

03:00application?

03:02>> Yes, sir. John Malden.

03:04>> Good morning.

03:05Where do you live? Yeah, good morning,

03:06John. Where do you live?

03:08>> I live in Berlin, Berlin, Mass.

03:09>> Okay, please tell us about this

03:11application.

03:12>> Say that one more time?

03:13>> Please tell us about this application.

03:15>> Sure. So, we operate uh Clover Road

03:18Brewing Company out of Hudson and

03:19Ashland. Uh we're working with the folks

03:22putting on the Worcester Holiday Market

03:24on the dates that you described. Uh

03:26we'll be there pouring, serving

03:29beer, wine, and cider uh which we

03:31produce ourselves. Uh

03:34and we have a lot of experience doing

03:36this over the course of the last four

03:37years. Uh this will be the well,

03:39hopefully the biggest event that we've

03:40done, but we've worked with other

03:42organizations on things like this in the

03:43past.

03:44Probably most notably would be the

03:47American Heritage Museum in uh

03:50I think it's actually in Hudson.

03:52>> Okay. How many people

03:53>> to the line.

03:54>> Yeah, how many people are you expecting?

03:56Excuse [clears throat] me.

03:58>> Yeah, I think they're expecting a

03:59rolling 75 to 100 during the hours. Um,

04:04that was what I was told. Uh, and so

04:06we'll have a staff of two on during that

04:08period.

04:10>> Okay. Anything else you'd like to say?

04:13>> I think so.

04:14>> Okay.

04:15Thank you.

04:16Commissioner Fischer.

04:17>> No questions.

04:18>> Is there anyone present or online to

04:20have any questions or comments?

04:23>> Uh, through the chair, the commissioner

04:25and several of the staff viewed the site

04:28on Monday. Uh, we are looking to into an

04:31issue because they want to have the

04:32porta potties inside. We're not sure if

04:35that's going to happen.

04:36So we're still investigating that

04:38portion of the application.

04:40>> So is there

04:42Is there a necessity that they have to

04:44have porta potties available?

04:45>> Through the chair, yes.

04:47>> Did you hear that, sir?

04:48Uh, they're saying that you need to have

04:50some porta potties available

04:53for folks that would be attending your

04:55event.

04:58>> Yes, yeah. Uh, so to be clear, the

05:01uh event is being put on by a separate

05:03group and we are one of the vendors

05:07for the event. So

05:08they have expecting like 100 separate

05:10vendors of which we're the only alcohol

05:11provider.

05:13So

05:14that I believe would be the

05:15responsibility of the folks putting it

05:17on.

05:20>> Well, I don't I don't want to pass the

05:21buck over here, but we've got to get a

05:23resolution as to who's going to provide

05:25the porta potties.

05:28>> Through the chair, we can talk to the

05:29event coordinator. We just wanted the

05:31applicant to know that is a concern.

05:33>> Okay.

05:34>> Yeah, yeah. They didn't tell me that.

05:36Uh, this is the first I've heard of it.

05:39>> Are there any further questions or

05:40comments?

05:42Hearing none, I'm going to motion to

05:44approve subject to the

05:46vendors of making available porta

05:49potties for

05:50the general public attending the event.

05:53>> Second. Commissioner Fischer.

05:54>> Yes.

05:55>> Chair Vigliotti.

05:56>> Yes. Thank you. Enjoy the event.

05:59>> Thank you, folks. Appreciate you.

06:01>> Number two on the agenda, Festival of

06:03Lights was the common

06:05request for one day entertainment

06:06license for live music, dancing by

06:08entertainers,

06:09amplification, roving LED, and fire

06:12performers.

06:14Friday, December 4th, 4:30 p.m. to 9

06:18p.m.

06:19Anyone present or online to address this

06:21application?

06:23>> Good morning. Uh I'm trying here.

06:27>> I'm sorry. You are and where do you

06:29live?

06:30>> Um Victoria Mariano and I'm in Spencer,

06:32Massachusetts. And I'm representing uh

06:35the city's Cultural Development

06:36Department for this application.

06:39>> Okay. Please tell us about this event.

06:41>> Sure. Uh so this is the city of

06:42Worcester's annual Festival of Lights.

06:45There's live music up on the stairs on a

06:47stage. There's um food trucks on Front

06:50Street. There's bounce houses on

06:52Franklin Street. And then uh the there's

06:56a beer garden um contained in its own

06:58tent uh on the grass. And then there's

07:01um different roving performers and the

07:04fire performers are uh cordoned off.

07:08>> Okay. Um through the

07:11Deb,

07:12I see the this is for entertainment

07:14license. I don't see anything about a

07:16beer garden.

07:17>> Through the chair, that's a separate

07:18one. That's the next item.

07:20>> All right. Okay.

07:22Can I ask you about the fire

07:24performance? Could you explain that to

07:25this commission about fire performance,

07:27please?

07:28>> Yeah, sure. Um they've been doing it

07:30every year for the last probably over a

07:32decade. Uh they have fire uh fighters on

07:35site. They have they like fence off the

07:38whole area. And they have they all have

07:40their own licenses and insurance. Um

07:43they're a professional uh fire team.

07:46>> Yeah.

07:47Lauren, Ms. Martin?

07:49Um

07:50Can you No questions on the fire

07:51department?

07:52Okay.

07:53Is there anyone present or online that

07:55has any questions or comments?

07:59Hearing none, motion to approve.

08:01>> Second, Commissioner Fisher.

08:02>> Yes, Chair Vigliotti.

08:04>> Yes. My apologies. Earlier I should have

08:06introduced the folks that here. To my

08:08left is Commissioner Sharon Fisher.

08:11The father to my left representing the

08:12Worcester Law Department, attorney

08:13Amanda Moran.

08:15Worcester Police Department, Sergeant

08:17Thomas Needham and Officer Patrick

08:19Harrington and from the Worcester Fire

08:20Department, Laura Martin and behind me,

08:24Deborah Steele from the Office of

08:26Inspectional Services.

08:28Number three on the agenda.

08:30City of Worcester Festival of Lights

08:31request for one day liquor license

08:33Friday, December fourth

08:35from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

08:39Are you still there?

08:41You represent. Please come to the

08:43microphone, sir.

08:45Please identify yourself and where you

08:46live.

08:48>> Good morning. My name is Eric Godin. I

08:50live in Worcester.

08:51>> Good morning.

08:51>> Good morning.

08:53>> Please tell us about the request for the

08:55liquor license.

08:56>> Yes. So we are a brewing company

08:58ourselves, a Double Down Brewing Company

09:00on Park Ave

09:02and

09:03we're going to be the sole

09:05beer distributor there to be selling

09:08just our beer, two different types of

09:09beer in cans.

09:10>> In the previous

09:12response that we had, they talked about

09:14a beer garden. Tell me how that is going

09:16to be operated, please.

09:18>> Uh so there will be [clears throat]

09:20somebody checking the IDs, maintaining

09:22that everybody is of age with we all

09:24have

09:26certificates being able to serve

09:28alcohol.

09:30>> Are you using a bracelet system to

09:32identify?

09:33>> Yeah, we we will I believe that they

09:35have to stay in the tent while they have

09:38their beverages.

09:39>> And my question is on identification.

09:41>> Yeah.

09:42>> How are you doing that?

09:44>> Just

09:45with their

09:46visual ID, yeah.

09:48>> And are you are you once you serve, are

09:50you giving them a bracelet to make sure

09:52you've got the right person?

09:53>> Correct.

09:54>> Okay. Commissioner Fisher.

09:55>> No questions.

09:56>> Sergeant Needham.

09:57>> Sergeant just echoing Commissioner

09:59Vigliotti, you plan on using a

10:02wristband system to designate who is of

10:04age to be inside the beer garden?

10:07And how is the beer garden being

10:08delineated? Are you using stanchions,

10:10ropes?

10:11How are you how are you marking the

10:13area?

10:13>> It's within the old tent, the whole tent

10:15there. They they've got a 20 by 30 tent.

10:17Um, this is our first year doing this.

10:20I'm I'm I'm going to say I was assuming

10:22that there's going to be some sort of

10:23stanchions around the whole thing or

10:25even walls around the whole entire area.

10:28>> That's my question. Is it a like a

10:30three-panel tent?

10:31>> I have not seen the tent. Uh,

10:34>> Um, sorry. I'll I'll speak to that.

10:36There's Yeah, there's three there's

10:38three side walls and then the front

10:40where people would enter will have

10:41stanchions.

10:42>> Okay. Security?

10:45>> Uh, yeah, we'll have one.

10:46>> One? Okay.

10:49>> Yeah, what do you have for security for

10:51the event?

10:54>> Uh, there's police details hired.

10:56>> Okay.

10:58Sergeant Anything else?

10:59>> Nothing else.

11:00>> Is there anyone present or online that

11:03have any questions or comments?

11:06Hearing none, motion to approve.

11:08>> Second, Commissioner Fischer.

11:10>> Yes.

11:10>> Chair

11:11Yes.

11:12Thank you. Enjoy the event.

11:14>> Thank you so much.

11:16>> Thank you.

11:17>> [clears throat]

11:17>> You're welcome.

11:19Number four on the agenda was the

11:21Historical Museum, DBA Museum of

11:23Worcester,

11:24request for one-day liquor license,

11:26request for one-day entertainment

11:27license for live music dancing by

11:29entertainers for Thursday, November 5th,

11:326:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, November

11:356th, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and

11:37Saturday, November 7th, 6:00 p.m. to

11:408:00 p.m.

11:41Is there anyone present or online to

11:43address this application?

11:45>> Yep. Good morning. This is Eric Butler,

11:47executive director of

11:49>> I assume this is the El Marocco

11:51celebration?

11:52>> This is the El Marocco celebration

11:55that will happen at the Museum of

11:56Worcester, November 5th through the 7th,

11:58yes.

11:59>> Okay. Please tell us about this event,

12:01how many people are attending, and what

12:03you have for security.

12:05>> Sure. We'll have you know, full staff on

12:07board at the museum. It will happen

12:11as I said, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

12:13Uh it will be a

12:15celebration in

12:18a supplemental program with our

12:20Arab-American

12:22exhibit at the museum.

12:24Uh there'll be some Arabic food

12:26available for guests, a beer and wine

12:30station

12:31for folks with a tip-certified

12:34bartender, an insured bartender,

12:36professional bartender available for

12:39sale.

12:40>> Okay.

12:41Are selling tickets for this event?

12:44>> Yeah, tickets are sold for the event,

12:46but tickets for

12:48drinks would be sold separately.

12:50>> Okay.

12:51Commissioner Fisher.

12:52>> No questions. [clears throat]

12:53>> Sergeant Nino.

12:54>> No issues.

12:55>> Is there anyone present or online have

12:57any questions or comments?

13:00Hearing none, motion to approve.

13:02>> Second. Commissioner Fisher.

13:03>> Yes.

13:04>> Chair Vigliotti.

13:05>> Yes.

13:06>> Thank you. Have a great time.

13:09>> Thank you.

13:11>> Next on the agenda are common victualer

13:13request.

13:14Number five, Saro's Pizza, 186 Stafford

13:17Street with operating hours on Sunday

13:2210:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Monday, 10:00

13:26a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

13:28Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

13:31from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

13:33Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and

13:36Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.

13:40Anyone present online to address this

13:42application?

13:47We'll hold it till the end.

13:49Five on the agenda,

13:51Dragon Dynasty, 104 Highland Street,

13:54operating hours on Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to

13:5611:00 p.m.

13:58Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,

14:01Friday, and Saturday, 11:00 a.m.

14:05to 11:00 p.m.

14:07Good morning.

14:08>> Hi, good morning. My name is Andrea

14:09Cole. I'm the paralegal working for

14:11Trans Law Firm in Boston, Massachusetts.

14:14>> Oh, welcome to Worcester.

14:15>> Thank you. Today we present the clients

14:17on the application CV license. Lucky

14:20Dragon taking over the existing

14:22restaurant Dragon Density at 104

14:25Highland

14:27Avenue in Worcester.

14:29The new owner will continue to operate

14:32the restaurant

14:33as a Chinese food restaurant of in

14:35change.

14:37>> Okay.

14:38Anything else you'd like to say?

14:39>> Sorry?

14:40>> Anything else you would like to say to

14:43>> No, we I'm

14:45I'm happy to answer if the board has any

14:47questions that operation.

14:50>> Well, again,

14:51congratulations to the new owner.

14:53Commissioner Fisher.

14:55>> No questions.

14:55>> Sergeant Needham.

14:57>> No issues.

14:58>> Anyone present or online have any

15:00questions or comments?

15:02Hearing none, motion to approve.

15:04>> Second.

15:05Commissioner Fisher.

15:06>> Yes.

15:07>> Yes. Thank you.

15:09>> Thank you, pleasure.

15:09>> Enjoy the new business.

15:10>> Thank you. Bye-bye.

15:11>> Bye.

15:13Next on the agenda, alcohol

15:14entertainment request.

15:17It's number seven on the agenda is the

15:19Worcester Detachment Marine Corps League

15:20101

15:22Request for change of manager.

15:24Anyone present online to address this

15:26application?

15:28>> I am Mike Capers.

15:30>> Good morning, Mr. Capers.

15:33Please tell us about what you're doing

15:34with the change of manager. And where do

15:36you live, sir?

15:38>> I live in Auburn, Mass.

15:39>> Okay.

15:40So

15:41change of manager, tell us about this,

15:43please.

15:44>> Yep, I was I'm the new hired manager,

15:46started in August.

15:49And

15:50looking to put my name on the liquor

15:51license.

15:52>> Okay.

15:54Commissioner Fisher.

15:55>> No questions.

15:56>> Sergeant Needham.

15:57>> Based on the background investigation,

15:59there is nothing that would statutorily

16:01prevent

16:02the application of the proposed

16:04applicant moving forward.

16:06>> Is there anyone present or online that

16:07have any questions or comments?

16:10Hearing none, motion to approve.

16:12>> Second. Commissioner Fisher.

16:14>> Yes.

16:15>> Yes.

16:16Thank you.

16:17>> Thank you, sir.

16:17>> [clears throat]

16:18>> Eight on the agenda, Eddie's Apartment

16:20Sports Bar, 120 Stafford Street, request

16:23for entertainment license for TV, radio,

16:26recorded music, live music,

16:28karaoke. Anyone present online to

16:31address this application?

16:34>> I'm present.

16:35>> And who are you and where do you live?

16:37>> I'm Gabriel Cardoso and I'm from

16:39Worcester.

16:40>> Okay, please tell us about this

16:41application.

16:44>> We're just applying for basic the basic

16:46entertainment license for TVs overhead,

16:48recorded music overhead as well, karaoke

16:50on Fridays, and then some live music

16:52maybe every Saturday.

16:54>> Thank you.

16:56Commissioner Fisher?

16:57>> No questions.

16:58>> Well, we welcome

16:59Commissioner Cruz. Good morning.

17:01Any questions, Commissioner?

17:04>> No.

17:05>> Is there anyone present or online that

17:07have any questions or comments?

17:10Hearing none, motion to approve.

17:12>> Second.

17:13>> [clears throat and cough]

17:14>> Yes.

17:15>> Yes.

17:17>> Uh Mr. Chairman, can we go back to

17:19number five, Cicero's Pizza? I believe

17:21they're on the line now.

17:22>> Sure.

17:24Thank you.

17:26Number five on the agenda, going back to

17:28the common victualer request, is

17:30Cicero's Pizza, 186 Stafford Street,

17:33with operating hours proposed for

17:35Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., Monday,

17:3910:00 to 10:00 p.m.,

17:41Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.,

17:42Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.,

17:45Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.,

17:48Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., and

17:51Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.

17:56Good morning.

17:57Who's addressing the License Commission

17:59and where do you live?

18:01>> Good morning.

18:02My name is Cicero Mallo and

18:04I live in Boston, Massachusetts. We we

18:07are just taking over this

18:09pizzeria,

18:10trying to open up for the public and

18:14provide good service.

18:16>> Thank you.

18:17Mr. Fisher?

18:18>> No questions.

18:19>> Mr. Cruz?

18:20>> No

18:20>> questions.

18:21>> Sergeant Needham, any issues?

18:23>> No.

18:23>> Anyone present or online have any

18:25questions or comments?

18:28Hearing none, motion to approve.

18:30>> Second.

18:31>> Commissioner Cruz?

18:32>> Yes.

18:32>> Commissioner Fisher?

18:33>> Yes.

18:34>> Chair Liaty.

18:34>> Yes. Thank you. Enjoy the new business.

18:37>> Thank you.

18:40>> Next on the agenda are violation

18:42hearings. Number nine is IC Gaming 117

18:45Lovell Street.

18:46Is there anyone present to address

18:48Please, sir, come right up to the desk

18:50right here. Come right through that

18:51gate.

18:51>> As a resident, not as a

18:53>> Say again?

18:54>> As resident, not proprietor.

18:56>> Okay.

18:57Is there anyone here

18:59on the application

19:01uh for IC Gaming for 170 Lovell Street

19:04besides the gentleman that just

19:07is here? Anyone else?

19:09>> Three of us. Okay.

19:10>> Through the chair, I don't

19:11>> Is the owner of the gaming present?

19:15>> Through the chair, I do not see him. He

19:17was in the office twice this week and I

19:19reminded him twice that he needed to

19:21attend this hearing.

19:23So I don't know if you just want to

19:24continue with the next violation and

19:25then hear this at the end.

19:26>> Well, these three folks have shown up

19:29for this hearing.

19:30Uh

19:31I'm going to ask you There's a

19:32microphone in front of you, folks. If

19:35each of you want to take it, you came

19:36here, you can address us and tell us why

19:39you're here and what issues you may

19:41have.

19:41>> Great.

19:43Thank you. Uh

19:44>> I'm sorry. I apologize. One second, sir.

19:46The The violation, Sergeant Needham,

19:48do you have a report on this or

19:50>> Yes, I do.

19:51>> Okay.

19:52Um I'm going to ask if you don't mind

19:54giving the report

19:55because these folks are here

19:57want to extend the courtesy of giving

19:59them a hearing.

20:02[snorts]

20:03This hearing

20:06You swear to tell the truth, the whole

20:08truth, nothing but the truth and nothing

20:09but the truth

20:14I just stated testifying for city as

20:17Sergeant Thomas Needham, Officer Patrick

20:19Harrington and

20:21Lieutenant

20:22>> Inspector.

20:23>> Inspector. We'll give you Lieutenant.

20:25I worry mine.

20:28Sachin.

20:30>> On September 5th, 2026,

20:32I was acting in a supervisory capacity

20:34assigned to the alcohol enforcement

20:35unit. I was working in a plain clothes

20:37capacity, operating an unmarked police

20:39vehicle. I had my badge of office on a

20:41lanyard around my neck, and I was

20:42wearing my assigned body worn camera.

20:45At 20 of 1 in the morning,

20:47while I monitoring radio transmissions,

20:49I became aware of a call for service

20:51that operations patrol officers

20:53responded to at 117 Lovell Street, Icey

20:56Gaming Zone.

20:57I was aware of that location had

20:58knowledge of prior incidents at the

21:00location requiring officers from my unit

21:03to discuss allowed and not allowed

21:05activities with the owner.

21:08Among those activities not allowed was

21:09the use of tobacco hookah on site.

21:13The business does not possess any

21:14tobacco license issued by the city of

21:15Worcester.

21:16At this time, I proceeded to drive to

21:18the location.

21:19Upon my arrival at that location, I

21:21observed officer Santiago and Edmonds on

21:23the sidewalk by the rear parking lot of

21:25the business.

21:26I observed approximately 25 to 30

21:28individuals milling around the parking

21:29lot in the sidewalk area.

21:32Officers explained to me that they were

21:33dispatched to the scene for disturbance,

21:35and they could see a large crowd of

21:36people inside the establishment.

21:39While in the parking lot, I could see

21:40smoke coming from the interior of the

21:41building as individuals entered and

21:43exited, indicating smoking inside the

21:45building.

21:46I made contact with the owner, Ayub Ali,

21:49and asked how many people he had inside.

21:51He stated that he was unsure.

21:53I asked him to check to see what his

21:54occupancy was, and we accompanied him

21:56inside the business.

21:58As we walked inside, I could see and

21:59smell tobacco smoke and the aroma of

22:01burnt marijuana smoke.

22:04A loud speaker was playing amplified

22:06music, and the crowd inside was

22:07estimated at 50 plus.

22:09The business was licensed permitted to

22:12to be open only until 12:00 a.m.,

22:15and officers began to give orders that

22:16everyone needed to leave.

22:18Once the crowd was dispersed, I observed

22:20six still warm to the touch hookah

22:22pipes,

22:24shisha tobacco,

22:25an empty bottle of 750 ml Don Julio

22:28tequila,

22:29and a 1.75 L half full bottle of La Azul

22:33tequila.

22:35The bottles of alcohol recovered from

22:36the trash located next to the kitchen

22:38area.

22:39The pipes and tobacco were located under

22:41a food service area just outside the

22:43kitchen.

22:45The business does not possess a liquor

22:46license issued by the city of Worcester.

22:48The bottle with contents was seized.

22:50While inside the establishment, I

22:52observed that the Level Street door had

22:54an illuminated exit sign, but the door

22:56was deadbolted shut.

22:58While on site, I asked Ali where he

23:01where any food permits, common

23:03victualler license, or any license

23:05issued by the city were.

23:07He was unaware He was unable to locate

23:09any any paperwork and stated to me that

23:11he would have the next evening.

23:14I informed him that I would be

23:15documenting the incident for follow-up.

23:18On September 6th, the very next evening,

23:22I was again working the supervisory

23:24capacity assigned to the alcohol

23:25enforcement unit, working in a plain

23:26clothes capacity, operating an unmarked

23:28police vehicle.

23:30I had my badge of office on a lanyard

23:31around my neck, and I was wearing my

23:33assigned body worn camera.

23:36At

23:3812:43 in the morning, I was in the area

23:41of 117 Level Street, IC Gaming Zone,

23:43monitoring the location for any after

23:45hours activity.

23:47The business was originally issued a

23:48permit to operate only until 12:00 a.m.

23:50I could clearly see individuals exiting

23:52the business and other patrons arriving

23:54at the location and entering the

23:56business after the 12:00 a.m. time.

23:59I was monitoring the location due to an

24:00incident at the establishment the prior

24:02evening involving a large number of

24:04individuals coming and going from the

24:05business and people hanging around

24:07creating a disturbance.

24:09I had responded to the prior incident

24:11and discovered warm hookah pipes, hookah

24:13tobacco, and alcohol on the premise.

24:16The owner was on scene that evening and

24:18he was advised. Based on these

24:20observations, I requested Officer

24:22Harrington for my unit to respond and

24:24also requested uniformed officers to

24:26respond to investigate.

24:29Upon their arrival, we approached the

24:30business and made contact with Ayub Ali.

24:33I could hear amplified music coming from

24:34within and informed Ali that his

24:36business was only licensed to be open

24:38until 12 a.m.

24:40We accompanied him inside. While inside,

24:42I observed around 30 plus individuals

24:44inside the business. I could smell the

24:46aroma of smoke and the aroma of burnt

24:48marijuana.

24:49Business does not possess a tobacco

24:51license. Officer Harrington informed me

24:52that he discovered one hookah pipe

24:55located in the side door leading to the

24:56neighboring business.

24:58He informed me that the pipe was still

24:59warm to his touch.

25:02Ali informed Harrington that he was

25:03smoking the hookah inside the

25:04establishment.

25:06While inside the business, I observed

25:07party decorations hanging from the

25:09ceiling and that the door leading to

25:10Level Street was covered and taped with

25:12a black trash bag over the window

25:14portion.

25:16The same door had an illuminated exit

25:17sign over it, but the door was dead

25:19bolted shut.

25:20I reminded Ali that I was the same

25:22officer that was on scene at the

25:23previous incident and asked if he had

25:25located any of the proper licenses,

25:28certificates for his business.

25:30He informed me that he did not.

25:31I again informed him that I would be

25:33documenting the incident

25:35along with prior evenings and would

25:36follow up with fire code and health

25:39tobacco departments.

25:40Officer Harrington and Inspector

25:43Martin

25:44also have information regarding

25:46further follow up

25:48same location.

25:50>> In regards to

25:51[clears throat]

25:53In regards to the evening of compliance

25:55check from Worcester Fire and Worcester

25:56Code, um a copy Do you have a copy of

25:59the initial report from Worcester Fire?

26:04>> Through the chair, that was the one I

26:06emailed you yesterday.

26:07>> Yes. Yeah.

26:09Yes.

26:13>> I'll already get that in the record.

26:17>> Through the chair.

26:18>> That was one

26:19[clears throat] I'd like to read the

26:20incident narrative

26:22for the record.

26:23>> I have it. We have it.

26:24>> I have it.

26:25>> The compliance team inspection officers

26:28completed a compliance inspection

26:30October 23rd

26:33around 2100 hours at 117 Level Street,

26:36IC Gaming.

26:37Upon entering the Level Street area, the

26:39compliance team observed a significant

26:42volume of vehicles and numerous young

26:44individuals wearing Halloween costumes

26:46walking toward the rear parking lot of

26:48117 Level Street. [clears throat] Due to

26:50the volume of vehicles and pedestrians

26:52in the area, Officer Harrington pulled

26:54onto a nearby side road and radioed

26:56dispatch to request assistance.

26:59The compliance team subsequently entered

27:01the establishment through the rear

27:02entrance.

27:04Inspector Trippi and Inspector Martin

27:05were assigned to determine the total

27:07number of patrons inside the building.

27:10Due to the number of individuals inside

27:11the establishments establishment

27:13inspectors determined that an accurate

27:15count could not be completed safely and

27:17efficiently while moving through the

27:18occupied space.

27:20Worcester Police Department officers and

27:22members of the compliance team directed

27:24all occupants to the exit of the

27:25building.

27:27Inspector Trippi proceeded to the front

27:29entrance and discovered that the

27:30emergency exit was secured with a dead

27:32bolt. Inspector Trippi requested the

27:34front door be unlocked and propped open,

27:36allowing individuals to exit through the

27:39front entrance while Inspector Martin

27:40counted those exiting through the rear

27:43emergency exit.

27:44The number of occupants made it

27:46difficult for individuals to exit the

27:48building. As patrons were leaving,

27:50several young individuals were heard

27:51shouting that they want their money

27:52back.

27:53The final count is as follows. Front

27:55entrance, 109 individuals.

27:57[clears throat]

27:58Rear emergency exit, 102 individuals.

28:01Combined count, 211 individuals.

28:05The permitted occupancy at 16

28:06individuals based on a 2,500 square foot

28:10area and an occupant load factor of 150

28:12square feet per person consistent with

28:15the stated business use and associated

28:17occupant load calculations.

28:19After [snorts] the building was cleared,

28:21inspectors began examining the premise.

28:23The following items and conditions were

28:25observed. Multiple alcohol bottles

28:27concealed behind kitchen appliances,

28:29opened and empty hard seltzer cans

28:31throughout the premise,

28:32DJ equipment, hookah supplies, a pool

28:34table positioned against a second rear

28:36means of egress, a metal container,

28:39holding receipts dated as far back as

28:41August 2026, a credit card processing

28:43terminal, additional items and equipment

28:45throughout the establishment.

28:47The responsible party, Ayub Ali, was

28:49present during the incident.

28:51A 19-year-old female who was also

28:52present informed officers that she was

28:54working as the bartender.

28:56Officer Harrington directed that no one

28:58was permitted to re-enter the

28:59establishment and that the doors were to

29:00remain locked until further notice.

29:03A building permit issued in 2025

29:05authorized a change of use from

29:07mercantile to business occupancy. During

29:09the permit review process, it was

29:11repeatedly documented that no alcohol

29:13was to be served at the establishment

29:15and that it is a space was intended to

29:17operate as an arcade for online gaming.

29:20[snorts]

29:21WFD records indicate that an

29:23entertainment license was approved for

29:25117 Level Street on June 20th, 2025,

29:28authorizing television and play only.

29:34Thank you.

29:36>> Do you have further comments or

29:37questions for them?

29:38>> I have an additional report on October

29:4023rd, 2026 from 117 Level Street.

29:45On October 23rd, 2026, members of the

29:47Worcester Fire Code Knock on Enforcement

29:49Units conducted a compliance check at

29:52the

29:54117 Level Street IC Gaming Zone.

29:57It should be noted the city of Worcester

29:59has received numerous complaints for

30:00loud music and disturbances

30:02and underage drinking at this location.

30:04On five different occasions, the police

30:06have responded to this location and the

30:09business was observed operating without

30:11proper licenses and permits

30:13to include smoking hookah and selling

30:15alcohol without permits and in nightclub

30:17activity. On two separate occasions, I

30:20I, Officer Harrington,

30:22along with other members of the Fire and

30:23Code, have personally spoke with the

30:25owner, identified as Ayub Ali, and

30:28advised him of the proper licenses and

30:31requirements to operate in such a manner

30:33in a commercial space.

30:36The plan approach on this evening to the

30:38business, we observed numerous people

30:40standing at the door to enter the

30:42establishment and extremely loud music

30:44coming from within.

30:45As we made our way inside the we

30:47observed well over 100 people standing

30:49room only

30:50and the majority appeared to be high

30:52school aged juveniles.

30:54As members of the fire and code

30:56department conducted an occupancy check

30:59and began to clear the crowd that was

31:01well

31:02above fire safety code,

31:04my attention was drawn to a small bar

31:06area. Behind the bar I located a female

31:09later identified as a 19 year old.

31:14Also located behind the bar

31:16was the above various

31:18alcohol to include tequila, seltzer

31:21beers, cups, small amounts, some US

31:24currency.

31:27Upon clearing the crowd, a final count

31:29of the occupancy revealed 211 people.

31:32It should be noted that while clearing

31:34the crowd, people could be heard saying

31:36we want our money back.

31:38Additionally, a credit card machine and

31:39receipts were located within the bar

31:41area.

31:42It was immediately apparent that the

31:44owner had no regard to

31:48excuse me,

31:49no regard to juvenile safety and was

31:51procuring alcohol to his patrons and a

31:5319 year old bartender.

31:55The above individuals were placed under

31:57arrest.

31:58Additional above liquor was located

32:00inside the kitchen and patron area.

32:03That's all I have.

32:04Thank you.

32:07>> Folks, you've come here to testify. You

32:09neighbors, please come to the microphone

32:11tell us who you are, where you live, and

32:15>> Kevin Cassan. I live just diagonally

32:17across from the site.

32:19>> Good morning and welcome.

32:20>> Thank you. Some of you remember me. I

32:21was at the

32:22site visit when you folks came to

32:25inspect this place and I remember at the

32:27meeting Councilor Fisher, you were

32:29actually very good about asking the

32:31hours be whittled back a little bit

32:32knowing it was a community

32:35residential area.

32:36Um, I think the officers and and

32:40uh city folks have announced well, what

32:42what happened in a in a

32:45kind of concrete factual way. Um,

32:50This is this is hard. Like I I'm a

32:51community organizer and I want to

32:53support small businesses growing and

32:55young people doing things. Uh, it's not

32:58safe.

32:59It's not safe. So uh I think one thing

33:02that I'd like on the record is my

33:05understanding is that when this

33:07establishment first opened up a a

33:08youngster was sexually assaulted in that

33:11property uh in that business. [snorts]

33:14Uh, and then

33:16I think we need to I want to paint the

33:18picture a little bit about

33:20as a neighbor what was happening outside

33:21the building. So there's a whole list of

33:23like this weekend this happens, this

33:24weekend this hap- I'm going to leave

33:26that to to somebody else to talk about.

33:28I'm just going to talk about the nights

33:30that have been brought up now.

33:32This is happening at the at the Rotary

33:35of Level Street.

33:37The the big night was closer to I would

33:40define as a melee. There were just kids

33:42running,

33:43cars pulling up, horns beeping,

33:46cars

33:47tearing out. You know, they're seeing

33:49the police, they're tearing out, wheels

33:51burning through the Rotary, kids running

33:53through the Rotary. Like

33:56when you watch the body cam footage, you

33:57will see

33:59just how bad it was. Like people kids

34:02running everywhere and these are all

34:03young kids in Halloween costumes and

34:05what have you. So it was it was

34:08unsafe, unsafe. Um, and knowing how

34:12young the youngsters were there. Uh, I

34:14think it also should be added to this uh

34:17discussion that

34:19the owner was running it as a nightclub.

34:21So there were flyers printed up about

34:23these events. These flyers were

34:25distributed in at schools to the kids.

34:28Um, there was somebody at the door doing

34:31check-in, you know, like just like a

34:33nightclub. So they were creating the

34:35atmosphere of a nightclub and promoting

34:38themselves a nightclub and um this is

34:41what we got. You know, this is this is

34:43the way it played out.

34:46And then I'm just going to end with

34:49you know, I I talked to the the owner

34:51early on,

34:53and I just said like there's you know,

34:56there's a way to do this correctly where

34:57you're

34:58you're not going to risk lives, but this

35:01is going to get out of control unless

35:02you have some rules in place cuz cuz

35:03from day one there was cars playing

35:06music at 11:00 at night in the back

35:07parking lot, 12:00 at night

35:10tearing out of there and what have you.

35:11So

35:13I I don't like arguing to shut down a

35:16business, but I I know that I did what I

35:19could as a neighbor and as somebody that

35:21wanted that business to succeed, I

35:23talked to that owner. I asked him let's

35:25do this, work work hard, follow the

35:27rules.

35:28And and clearly the choice was just not

35:30to. So thank you.

35:31>> Thank you.

35:34Next.

35:36>> Good morning. Welcome.

35:37>> Good morning. My name is Atel I

35:39live directly diagonally from

35:43this business and I'm the former

35:44District 5 City Councilor. I only

35:46mention that because I want for the

35:48record to reflect that I personally had

35:52multiple conversations with Mr. Ali

35:55as as soon as his business opened. So I

35:58just want to say first and foremost we

36:01were excited for this small business to

36:02come into the neighborhood.

36:04It pains me to be here and advocate that

36:07you suspend the license because it

36:10simply is not safe. We learned about the

36:13alleged sexual assault of a young woman

36:16there at our neighborhood meeting. That

36:19was back in 2025. The the liaison with

36:22the police officer

36:24Captain McKiernan

36:26who was the liaison with the PD informed

36:29our neighborhood group after I had

36:31brought in concerns about loud parties,

36:34other residents in the area contacting

36:37me to do something about the business.

36:39He let us know that there was an

36:40investigation of potentially sexual

36:42assault. That raised huge red flags for

36:45me and the neighbors.

36:47Uh on multiple occasions, I went over uh

36:50and even texted Mr. Ali and asked him to

36:54contact me if he needed if he needed any

36:56support with learning how to do you know

36:59how to run a business safely. Um I gave

37:01him my personal number, I gave him my

37:03cell phone number for the city. I asked

37:06him if he had any issues, please contact

37:08me. We don't want any issues in the

37:10neighborhood. I explained that his name

37:12had come up multiple times at the

37:13neighborhood meetings.

37:15Uh I was met with a lot of dismissal. Um

37:17I was met with rude remarks and I was

37:20very disappointed to know that this

37:22young person who was an up-and-coming

37:24business owner um also just dismissed

37:27the city official who was living

37:29directly and witnessing across the

37:30street what was happening.

37:32Um I just want to pause also for a

37:33moment and just give Sergeant Needham

37:36kudos for communicating right away as I

37:40reached out to multiple departments

37:41including ISD, fire department,

37:44commissioner Antonavica because I was

37:46really concerned. And now that I know

37:47that there were multiple conversations

37:50and multiple reports that our city

37:52departments unfortunately did not

37:54communicate with each other to be

37:55proactive and and actually suspend the

37:58license of this business.

38:00Um I'm going to speak now as a resident

38:02that lives there.

38:04On multiple occasions,

38:06I witnessed along with my family members

38:09upwards of 300 kids. So the last

38:11incident that happened there which I I

38:13know you folks have it as 200.

38:15I'm not a a mathematician, but I could

38:18it was it was incredibly jarring to see

38:22what felt like 300 kids

38:26booked into that small space, stuffed

38:28into that small space.

38:30I am appalled at the details that are

38:32coming out of the report with alcohol,

38:34with uh

38:36tobacco and marijuana in in that small

38:39space with a lot of young

38:41kids who look like high school kids. Um

38:44I am really thankful that nobody got

38:48sexually assaulted again, as far as we

38:50know, and nobody got hurt.

38:52Um,

38:53it was

38:54really sad to see that this business

38:58owner has been able to operate for over

39:00a year in this manner when the

39:02neighborhood has consistently and

39:04multiple times informed both the uh the

39:08neighborhood uh folks that come to our

39:10meeting, ISD and WPD.

39:12Um, and finally it took an incident that

39:14big to bring together all these reports

39:18to let you know that this this business

39:20unfortunately is not safe for our

39:23neighborhood.

39:24Um, I would love nothing more than to

39:26support this young person learn how to

39:29do a business properly. However, at this

39:31point it really pains me to say on

39:33behalf of my next door neighbors as well

39:35at 6 Englewood Avenue and others that we

39:38should absolutely suspend the license

39:41and not allow this person to operate

39:43there again. It's not safe for our kids,

39:45it's not safe for our neighborhood. And

39:47lastly, I would add for the record, it

39:48would be really helpful if in the future

39:51there are multiple reports of severe

39:54violations that have gone for over, you

39:56know, a year, that those reports be

39:58brought to your attention uh before the

40:01neighborhood steps in and asks for uh

40:04violation hearing.

40:05Um, so I want to thank you and I really

40:07hope that the three of you will vote to

40:08suspend the license. And I also want to

40:11uh give thanks to the folks here who

40:13have meticulously uh documented what

40:15happened.

40:16>> Okay, thank you very much.

40:18Ma'am?

40:20Good morning.

40:22>> Good morning. Thank you so much. Uh my

40:24name is Sue Swanson.

40:25I am one of the co-leaders of the

40:27Columbus Park Neighborhood Association.

40:30I live on Circuit Avenue North and have

40:32not been a part of the evening May lease

40:35that have been going on. But I did want

40:37to just first of all thank um police

40:40officials and fire officials for their

40:42due diligence and their um communication

40:45with the Neighborhood Association. We've

40:47been in existence for over 25

40:50We take quality of life issues very

40:52importantly and public safety. And I

40:54think it's it's obvious and clear to

40:58everybody here

41:00that the egregious violations it's it's

41:02time to end that. We need new business

41:05that is willing to contribute and we

41:07would love to support that new business.

41:09So um I think the only other question I

41:12would have is whether or not there is

41:15and there this may be happening any

41:17additional investigations going on in

41:19terms of drug purchasing. It's just been

41:22a front uh for a number of violations.

41:26Um and I just cannot imagine having

41:29doors deadbolted with 250 youth in this

41:33So thank you. Appreciate doing the right

41:36thing.

41:36>> Well, thank you for coming and

41:37testifying this morning.

41:39Is there anyone else that would like to

41:40have any questions or comments?

41:43Ma'am, please come to the podium.

41:48Please tell us your name and where you

41:49live.

41:52>> Um my name is Nisha Berry. Um

41:54unfortunately

41:56uh I am the girlfriend of the victim

41:59and I happen to be

42:02>> No, what what

42:03>> This is

42:04>> No, no. This is not Hurricane Betty's.

42:06This is

42:06>> okay. I'm sorry.

42:07>> All right.

42:08>> I'm sorry.

42:10>> It's it's a Dana Dana moment

42:11nevertheless.

42:15All right. Is there anyone else that on

42:17this Lovell Street situation that wants

42:20to make any comments or questions?

42:22Anyone on the line?

42:24Commissioner Fisher.

42:26>> Um yeah, so

42:28you know, I think it speaks volumes that

42:29the the owner isn't here today.

42:32Um

42:33I don't think, you know, I wouldn't want

42:35this happening in my neighborhood. It

42:36sounds like there's a lot of uh serious

42:38allegations and

42:40um you know, I guess my question is

42:43are you looking for a suspension or

42:46revocation of the license? Because

42:47there's a big difference.

42:49Um it doesn't sound like there's a you

42:51know, it's a business that

42:55you would want to continue being part of

42:56the neighborhood

42:58because you're not being a good

42:59neighbor.

43:00So

43:03through the chair, I did receive an

43:05application. It is closed currently

43:07for a new owner to take over this

43:10location

43:12which will be heard at the next meeting

43:13according to the new owner. They want to

43:15turn into a shawarma restaurant.

43:21>> Yeah. Get get finished.

43:23>> Yeah. Well, so I was going to make a

43:24motion to pull their license altogether.

43:27>> Commissioner Cruz.

43:29>> Yes, and thank you all for being here

43:31and

43:32I'm also

43:34honestly when I read the report and I'm

43:35looking at 211 people in a occupancy

43:38space for 16

43:41this is just a sheer arrogance I think

43:43when it comes to disregarding the law

43:45and the safety of others. And again, I'm

43:48I'm for neighborhood quality. I support

43:50small businesses, but this is completely

43:53outrageous and I concur with

43:55Commissioner Fisher that

43:57we

43:58pull the license. They don't deserve to

44:00have it especially with that behavior

44:03affecting not only the neighborhood, but

44:07actually I think the whole city because

44:09these are our kids also that have been

44:11going in there. So

44:14>> The police and fire have given us a

44:17horrendous great report and they put a

44:19lot of effort and time into

44:21investigating this facility.

44:23You coming forward and telling us

44:25additional

44:26problems in the neighborhood speaks

44:28volumes for what's happening here.

44:30What really speaks volumes of what's

44:32going on is the failure of the owner of

44:34the premises to show up at a public

44:37meeting in which his license is on the

44:40board for hearing and not here.

44:44Commissioner Fisher has made a motion to

44:46revoke the license. I will second that

44:48motion.

44:51>> Commissioner Cruz.

44:52>> Yes.

44:53>> Commissioner Fisher.

44:53>> Yes.

44:54>> Chair

44:54>> Vigliotti.

44:55>> Yes.

44:56Thank you for participating. Thank you.

44:58Sergeant, officer Arrigoni.

45:01Inspector Mine.

45:02Thank you.

45:06Next on the agenda,

45:09Jolo Inc. DBA Hurricane Betty's, 350

45:11South Broad Street violations of rules

45:14one to council of it rule 14 17 29 and

45:17three. Folks, want to come up to the

45:19table, please?

45:29Please identify yourself first.

45:33Push the green line. Make sure the green

45:34light is on.

45:36>> Scott Effman.

45:37>> And you are uh

45:40the manager. We need to have put that on

45:42record.

45:43>> Keep it on.

45:44>> Just keep it on.

45:45And counsel.

45:46>> And good morning, commissioners. Sean

45:48Smith for Jolo Inc. acting as Hurricane

45:50Betty's.

45:51>> Before I proceed, I'm going to ask

45:53everyone who's going to testify to

45:54please stand

45:57and raise your right hand if you're

45:58testifying.

45:59>> We're not going to be offering any

46:00testimony.

46:01>> Nope. Well, I still have to do this.

46:03Swear to tell the truth, the whole

46:04truth, nothing but the truth on the

46:06pains of penalties of perjury.

46:07>> I do.

46:08>> Okay.

46:09The officer is going to read the report

46:11of the alleged violations.

46:14You know the routine. You have the right

46:15to ask questions and make comments.

46:18Board will have the right to ask

46:19questions and make comments when the

46:21report is completed.

46:22And then we'll have a discussion from

46:24there.

46:25Sergeant Needham.

46:27>> Bear with me. It's a long one.

46:29>> Yes.

46:33>> In the same In the same investigator,

46:36requested Jolo Inc.

46:38doing business as Hurricane Betty's

46:40located at 350 South Broad Street.

46:43Appear before the whistle license

46:44commission to answer the police

46:45complaints

46:46of violation of the rules and

46:47regulations of the whistle license

46:49commission

46:50that occurred on

46:51October 11th, 2026.

46:55Rule number one, hours of restaurants,

46:57clubs, hotels, and general on premise

46:59are

47:00Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

47:02following morning or as otherwise

47:03specified on the license.

47:05Sales to cease at 1:45 a.m. or 15

47:08minutes

47:09before the specified closing time.

47:11Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,

47:12Friday, and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00

47:15a.m. following morning or as otherwise

47:17specified on the license.

47:19Sales to cease at 1:45 a.m. or 15

47:22minutes before closing time.

47:25All patrons off premise by closing hour.

47:27Hours for taverns, Monday, Tuesday,

47:29Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8:00

47:31a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Sales to cease at

47:3312:45 a.m.

47:35Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight.

47:38Sales to cease at 11:45 a.m. 11:45 p.m.

47:43Closed on Sundays.

47:45All patrons off premise by closing hour.

47:48Clearance hours.

47:50Unconsumed beverages must be cleared at

47:52closing hour as stated above. Licensees

47:55and employees may remain upon premise at

47:57any time for the purpose of cleaning,

47:59making emergency repairs to

48:02or providing security for such premise

48:03or preparing food for the next day's

48:05business,

48:06or opening or closing the business in an

48:08orderly manner.

48:10The main door cannot be locked until all

48:12patrons have left the premise.

48:14There are two counts of that rule

48:15violation, the main door being locked

48:18and the clearance times violation.

48:22Rule 14, managers of all licensed liquor

48:24establishments shall be responsible for

48:26all violations

48:28or infractions of the law occurring on

48:29the premise whether present or not.

48:32Licensee is responsible for any

48:33disorder, disturbance, or illegality of

48:35any kind taking place on the licensed

48:37premise whether present or not.

48:41Rule 17,

48:42taverns, restaurants, general on premise

48:44hotels and clubs

48:46are prohibited from purchasing alcoholic

48:47beverages other than malt and wine in

48:49bottles or original containers holding

48:51less than 1/2 1/5 of a gallon

48:54or 0.75 L.

48:57Taverns, restaurants, general on premise

48:59hotels and clubs are prohibited making

49:01sales

49:02by by bottles or package to be taken

49:05away from the premise.

49:06No alcoholic beverage to be consumed

49:08except in areas

49:10>> [clears throat]

49:10>> Sir, can I help you?

49:11>> I'm sorry to come late but the front

49:13they they sent me to the that's me.

49:15>> You came here for what sir?

49:17>> For this

49:18>> This is for Lovell Street.

49:19>> the Hurricane beds.

49:20>> This is for Lovell Street.

49:21>> For Lovell Street? That matter has

49:23already been heard.

49:25>> Huh?

49:26>> That matter was already heard.

49:27>> Oh. Because I was here early but the the

49:30front they they they sent me to the city

49:32hall like the the court and I was there

49:34waiting and then somebody called me just

49:36now as I said like laughing at me oh

49:39your business closed being closing and I

49:40was like what's going on?

49:42I didn't I didn't know I thought it's

49:43over there in the court the the court

49:45section.

49:45>> To the chair he received his notice

49:48which said Esther Holland I also

49:49reminded him the other day the city

49:51hall.

49:52>> I was here at 8:00 as the front desk.

49:55>> Okay.

49:57I I would just tell you sir

49:58>> Yeah.

49:59>> that the meeting starts at 10:00

50:00>> I know that.

50:01>> there's an agenda the agenda was

50:03followed.

50:04You were not here for the hearing.

50:06You can uh options that you have

50:09uh you have the right to take an appeal

50:11on whatever the board decided. The board

50:13did decide to revoke your license and

50:16you have a right to take an appeal from

50:17that decision.

50:20Other than that that's all I can

50:22apologize and say to you.

50:24You had a responsibility to be here on

50:26time for the

50:26>> I was I was here earlier I swear.

50:28>> Okay.

50:28>> Even if you see my tag I signed in

50:30>> right that could you you can make that

50:32argument on whatever appeal rules you

50:34decide to take.

50:37Okay? We're done.

50:38>> Yeah yeah I'm on.

50:39No I was out from 7:00 thank you.

50:41>> No we're we're done. Thank you.

50:42>> Yeah all right thank you. Thank you

50:44thank you.

50:48>> Okay I'm sorry Sergeant Dean.

50:50>> Sir and please proceed.

50:52>> Uh the last line of rule 17 no alcoholic

50:54beverages to be consumed except in areas

50:57specified on the license.

51:00Rule 27 a licensed premise shall conform

51:02to the number of persons allowed on

51:04their building or occupancy permits.

51:08Rule 29. In the event that a disturbance

51:10or a breach of the peace occurs on the

51:11licensed premise

51:13resulting in a physical injury to 20

51:14persons, the licensee or responsible

51:17party shall promptly notify the police

51:19and shall take all reasonable steps to

51:21assist such injured person and shall

51:24cooperate with police in their

51:25investigation.

51:27Rule 37. Bottle service.

51:30Section A.

51:31A section 12 on premise licensee shall

51:34be permitted to provide bottle service

51:37of distilled spirits

51:39to two or more patrons.

51:40For the purpose of this rule, bottle

51:42service shall mean the sale of liquor,

51:44distilled spirits by the bottle to a

51:46group of patrons of a section 12

51:48licensed establishment.

51:52Section B. When providing bottle

51:54service, a licensee must provide a

51:56bottle host

51:57who is responsible for handling the

51:58bottle at all times.

52:00A bottle host is defined as an employee

52:02of the licensed liquor establishment

52:05who is tip certified and handles the

52:06liquor.

52:08A bottle host may not leave the bottle

52:09unattended at any at

52:12a table at any time.

52:16Section C. All alcoholic beverages must

52:19be served, dispensed, or sold by the

52:20bottle host or an employee or owner of

52:23the licensed liquor establishment.

52:25Alcoholic beverages may not be served or

52:28dispensed by patrons.

52:33Section D. The bottle host must be the

52:34bottle must be sold at a price

52:36proportionate to its size to avoid

52:38violation of a happy hour

52:40rule regulations.

52:43On October 11, 2026, the Worcester

52:45Police Department responded to Hurricane

52:47Betty's strip club located at 350

52:49Southbridge Street

52:51in response to a

52:52activation that came in at 2:06 in the

52:54morning.

52:56Responding officers arrived on scene,

52:58found one adult male in the roadway

52:59suffering from multiple gunshots.

53:02Victim was treated on scene and

53:03transported to UMass Hospital

53:06on Lake Ave where he received further

53:07treatment but succumbed to his injuries.

53:11Officers were then notified that a

53:12second gunshot gunshot wound victim had

53:14been transported to UMass Memorial

53:16Hospital on Belmont Street.

53:18Victim was transported by a private

53:20vehicle and not by ambulance.

53:22It was determined through investigation

53:24that the second victim was involved in

53:26the incident at Hurricane Betty's and

53:28received their wounds as a result of

53:29that incident.

53:33Patrol supervisors responded to the

53:34scene and requested detective bureau

53:35personnel to respond due to the nature

53:37of the incident.

53:39Accordingly accordingly, officers from

53:41the detective bureau responded and began

53:43their process of investigation.

53:45During this process, video evidence of

53:47the interior and exterior of Hurricane

53:49Betty's was provided to detectives by

53:51employees of the business.

53:54Video evidence recovered included

53:55footage prior to the incident and after

53:57the incident.

53:58Data video evidence was recovered and

53:59uploaded to evidence.com.

54:02On the recovered video, there was a time

54:04and date stamp that indicates when the

54:06recordings were captured.

54:07The time is accurate. However, the time

54:09displayed is 3 hours behind the actual

54:11time.

54:12For example, 2 o'clock in the morning is

54:14recorded as 11 o'clock in the evening.

54:18Recovered video evidence covers the time

54:20frame between

54:211:00 a.m.

54:232:30 a.m.

54:25I was able to view footage of the

54:27incident in the manner in which the

54:28section 12 license holder conducted

54:30their business that evening.

54:32Upon my initial observations of the

54:33video,

54:35I was able to clearly identify a number

54:36of violations of the rules and

54:37regulations

54:39of the whistle license commission.

54:41Among the violations that I observed are

54:44At 1:47 a.m., a patron is observed

54:48walking out the front door of the

54:49business in possession of a clear

54:50plastic cup

54:51containing a colored liquid.

54:53Individual in possession of the beverage

54:55has the cup concealed under their chest

54:56portion of their jacket upon exiting.

54:59When reaching the sidewalk, they remove

55:00the cup, milling around the sidewalk,

55:02conversing with other individuals.

55:07At 1:49 a.m., three individuals entered

55:09the business and appeared to be advised

55:11by security that it's too late to enter

55:12the club based on

55:14that employee's mannerisms.

55:17The three remained at the entrance and

55:18are eventually observed moving to the

55:20right of the walk-through metal detector

55:22and they entered into the club.

55:25All three individuals did not pass

55:27through the metal detector and all three

55:28did not present any in identification to

55:31be scanned as required on the license.

55:35Three individuals were also able to

55:36order and were served alcoholic

55:38beverages.

55:40At 1:52 a.m. security personnel are

55:42observed using a set of keys and

55:44manipulating manipulating the front door

55:46locking mechanism.

55:48The the action allowed the front door to

55:50be pushed open by patrons allowing them

55:51to leave

55:52but the action also caused the front

55:54door to be locked to any individuals

55:56attempting to enter the business.

55:58This action would not allow any this

56:00action would also not allow any

56:03emergency personnel

56:04to respond to the location in the event

56:06of an emergency

56:07and be able to quickly gain access to

56:09the interior of the business.

56:111:53 a.m. a patron walks out the front

56:13door of the business in possession of a

56:15plastic cup containing a colored liquid.

56:19At 1:55 a.m. four individuals are

56:21observed entering the business when the

56:23front door opens while patrons are

56:25exiting.

56:27Two individuals are observed moving to

56:29the left of the walk-through metal

56:30detector two individuals walk through

56:32the detector where they are stopped by

56:34security.

56:37Four

56:38individuals individuals are stopped by

56:40security who appears to tell the

56:41individuals that it is too late to enter

56:43the business based upon that employee's

56:45mannerisms.

56:48While advising the four patrons security

56:50is observed walking away from the

56:51entrance and walk

56:52towards the middle of the bar

56:54what appears to be a disturbance.

56:56While security is responding to the

56:58disturbance the front entrance is no

56:59longer manned by security

57:01the four individuals into the business.

57:04Two individuals that had walked through

57:05the metal detector were not given a

57:07secondary frisk after the machine

57:09alerted.

57:11The other two individuals entered the

57:12business without ever walking through

57:14the detector.

57:16All four individuals did not present any

57:18identification for scanning.

57:21At 1:56 a.m. a patron is observed

57:24walking out the front door of the

57:25business in possession of an open bottle

57:27of beer.

57:291:57 a.m. a patron is observed walking

57:31out the front door of the business in

57:32possession of a clay plastic cup

57:34containing a colored liquid.

57:38At 1:58 a patron is observed inside the

57:41business in possession of a bottle of

57:42Don Julio tequila.

57:45The business is not authorized to

57:46conduct bottle service.

57:49At 2:01 a.m. a verbal confrontation

57:51between patrons who had left the

57:52business breaks out at the front

57:54entrance to the business.

57:56One security person exits the doorway

57:57and attempts to separate the involved

57:59individuals.

58:00Verbal altercation turns into a physical

58:02altercation increases from pushing and

58:04shoving to throwing punches.

58:07Two more security personnel exit the

58:08club to assist the first security

58:10person.

58:12This altercation altercation involves

58:13numerous people and moves northbound

58:16towards downtown

58:18on the sidewalk

58:19of the entrance.

58:22In addition to the three security

58:23personnel outside attempting to actively

58:25stop the physical fighting,

58:27a female bartender comes out onto the

58:29sidewalk and observes the assault.

58:31A fourth security person is observed

58:33exiting the club at this time and

58:35assists other security personnel in

58:37attempting to break up the fight.

58:39The group that was actively engaged in

58:41the physical fight moves back towards

58:42the entrance of the business and there

58:44appears to be some semblance of order

58:46restored.

58:49At this time a patron is observed

58:50walking out of the club carrying a full

58:51750 ml bottle of Don Julio tequila.

58:55This is the same individual earlier

58:56observed in possession of the bottle

58:58while inside the club.

59:01Two other patrons are also observed

59:02exiting the business with plastic cups

59:04containing an alcoholic mixed drink that

59:06I had previously observed the bartender

59:08make and serve to them.

59:11These individuals are observed milling

59:12around in the sidewalk watching the

59:14disturbance while in possession of the

59:15alcoholic beverages.

59:17One of the individuals with the drink is

59:18also observed engaged in a conversation

59:21with the same bartender

59:22that had come out onto the sidewalk to

59:24observe the disturbance.

59:272:03 a.m. the group involved in the

59:29disturbance is still gathered outside

59:30the front door of the business and

59:31remains on the sidewalk.

59:34Security personnel is still on the

59:35sidewalk in the same area.

59:37At this time one of the patrons involved

59:39in the initial assault approaches a

59:40patron

59:41that was also involved in the initial

59:43disturbance assault and begins to strike

59:44that individual.

59:46From the video it appears that the

59:47person who had it appears that the

59:49person has an object in their hand while

59:51they are striking the other individual

59:53in the head area.

59:55Other patrons that were involved in the

59:57initial assault disturbance are observed

59:59joining in the assault on the

1:00:00individual, observed being struck with

1:00:02the object.

1:00:03Security personnel that were outside on

1:00:05the sidewalk appeared to witness the

1:00:06assault and attempt to get

1:00:09and again attempt to break the fight up.

1:00:11[cough]

1:00:12The group of patrons including security

1:00:14spill out onto Salford Street

1:00:16where the physical assault continues.

1:00:18Members of the group involved in the

1:00:20assault

1:00:21on the individual

1:00:23reassemble on the sidewalk in front of

1:00:24the business and mill about.

1:00:26Security remains outside monitoring the

1:00:28group.

1:00:31This group then begins to move

1:00:32northbound on the sidewalk again.

1:00:35When they reach the end of the business

1:00:37excuse me when they reach the end of the

1:00:38front of the business there appears to

1:00:40be another disturbance

1:00:42at around 2:06 a.m.

1:00:45Patrons and security are then observed

1:00:46running southbound on the sidewalk

1:00:48appearing shocked and scared.

1:00:51Security personnel run into the business

1:00:53by the front door and close the door

1:00:54behind them.

1:00:56Timing of the group running on the

1:00:57sidewalk matches the time gunfire was

1:00:59detected by the ShotSpotter system.

1:01:02At 2:07 hours

1:01:04a.m. the the bartender that was observed

1:01:06outside on the sidewalk

1:01:08has now moved back inside the club.

1:01:11It appears that they place a call on the

1:01:12cell phone.

1:01:13Based on the time frame it appears that

1:01:15the call they made was to the police

1:01:16reported the incident.

1:01:18At 2:08 patrol officers arrive on scene

1:01:20and render aid to the victim laying in

1:01:22the roadway.

1:01:24Officers arriving on scene also

1:01:26attempted to enter the business but

1:01:27encountered an unstaffed front door that

1:01:29was locked.

1:01:30Officers are observed pounding on the

1:01:32door and announcing police before the

1:01:34door is opened is opened and allowing

1:01:37them to enter.

1:01:39Video evidence recovered shows security

1:01:41personnel inside the business,

1:01:43the door closed and locked, looking out

1:01:45the window of the door during the time

1:01:47of the verbal argument

1:01:48and both physical assaults.

1:01:50At no time did any security outside

1:01:52attempt to notify personnel inside the

1:01:54club to call the police.

1:01:55At no time was any call placed to the

1:01:57police department from the business

1:01:58regarding the physical assault

1:02:00or physical injury involving the object

1:02:02that any reasonable person

1:02:04could assume would result in an injury.

1:02:08After reviewing

1:02:09video footage,

1:02:11I was able to count 62

1:02:13patrons leaving the business.

1:02:15The occupancy permit for a Hurricane

1:02:17Betty's is 49.

1:02:19This number leaving does not even

1:02:21include the four security personnel I

1:02:23observed outside the business on the

1:02:24sidewalk.

1:02:26There's another security individual

1:02:28observed on the video inside the

1:02:29business who is also the named manager

1:02:32on the license.

1:02:33Also not included are two bartenders,

1:02:36DJ, and the numerous dancers working the

1:02:38club that evening.

1:02:39All this indicates that the business was

1:02:41operating well in excess of their

1:02:42occupancy permit.

1:02:44[clears throat] I was also able to

1:02:45observe that from 1:00 1:00 a.m.

1:02:48on

1:02:50nine patrons that entered the club did

1:02:51not have their ID scanned.

1:02:54Six patrons entered without going

1:02:55through the metal detector nor having

1:02:57their ID scanned.

1:02:59Four individuals went through the metal

1:03:00detector which alerted but did not

1:03:02receive any secondary frisk.

1:03:05I also observed one patron enter and

1:03:07walk through the metal detector

1:03:09that was on

1:03:10They were then

1:03:11They then scanned their own ID.

1:03:14No security was present at the entrance

1:03:15at this time.

1:03:17While reviewing footage of the front

1:03:19entrance, I observed 10 individuals

1:03:21entered the club between 1:30 and 1:40.

1:03:24I observed five individuals enter the

1:03:26between 1:40 and 1:45.

1:03:29And I observed 11 individuals enter the

1:03:31club between 1:45 and 2:00

1:03:34for a total, I believe it was 62 62

1:03:37people entered

1:03:39between

1:03:401:30 and 2:00.

1:03:43I was also able to observe that between

1:03:451:46 and 1:54 hours

1:03:48I observed two bartenders continuing to

1:03:49serve numerous patrons more than 20

1:03:51alcoholic beverages

1:03:53in violation of rule one.

1:03:55Sales to cease at 1:45 a.m. or 15

1:03:57minutes before the specified closing

1:03:59time.

1:04:01That is all I have.

1:04:03>> Council.

1:04:04>> I have no questions. We will stipulate

1:04:06to the observations made by Sergeant

1:04:08Nita.

1:04:09>> Okay.

1:04:10Anyone present online have any questions

1:04:12or comments? [snorts]

1:04:15Just come to that microphone, please.

1:04:19Right here right in front of us at the

1:04:21podium.

1:04:23[clears throat]

1:04:24Please tell us who you are and where you

1:04:26live.

1:04:30>> And I came up early. My name's Nisha

1:04:33Barry. I'm the girlfriend of the victim

1:04:36that passed away on the 11th and

1:04:39I think his testimony speaks for itself.

1:04:41I think they were very negligent. I

1:04:44think I don't know if I can address

1:04:46them, but I think these people that run

1:04:47this club are disgusting.

1:04:50My son is four and wakes up every

1:04:52morning and I have to keep explaining to

1:04:54my four-year-old what heaven means and

1:04:56why his dad is not coming back from

1:04:58heaven while you guys the next day

1:05:00instead of closing down and maybe paying

1:05:02homage to the person that lost their

1:05:04life due to you guys' negligence,

1:05:05instead of just closing down and saying,

1:05:06hey, you know what, we're not going to

1:05:08do this today, we've just ruined a

1:05:10family's life. They opened up the next

1:05:13day and had a grand old time, a grand

1:05:15old party while I went and laid on the

1:05:17ground outside because I was trying to

1:05:18smell my boyfriend's blood on the

1:05:20ground. So while y'all was inside having

1:05:22a good time disgustingly, my family was

1:05:25grieving.

1:05:26And now day after day after day, I have

1:05:28to keep telling my little boy what it

1:05:30means for heaven and why your daddy

1:05:32can't come pick you up in his truck no

1:05:34more because he was a truck driver that

1:05:36worked 80 hours a week to make ends meet

1:05:38for me and my son

1:05:40so that his family can call him, hey,

1:05:42you know, we need this or we want that.

1:05:44So now I got to figure out what I have

1:05:47to do for me and my son's life while

1:05:48y'all are worrying about figuring out

1:05:50how you're going to close or open at

1:05:528:00 to 8:00. I got to worry about the

1:05:54next

1:05:5560 hopefully I live that long. Hopefully

1:05:57I don't run into people like these

1:05:58people that are negligent. I have to

1:06:00worry about the next 60 some odd days of

1:06:02my life worrying about how I'm going to

1:06:04make ends meet because my provider, my

1:06:05lover, my protector, my son's father is

1:06:08no longer here. So I don't want anyone

1:06:11else in this world to have to go through

1:06:14what me and my family are going through

1:06:15because people's negligence, because

1:06:17people want to have a good time, people

1:06:18want to drink, and people want to see

1:06:19naked women. I I pray that you guys shut

1:06:22this down. Just I can't even keep up

1:06:25with half of the violations that he

1:06:27gave. I can't even keep count. So if

1:06:29they really learned their lesson from

1:06:31the last guy that lost his life and the

1:06:32last family whose life they destroyed,

1:06:34my life wouldn't be destroyed today. My

1:06:36life wouldn't be destroyed for the rest

1:06:37of my life. Clearly they didn't learn

1:06:39their lesson and there should not be

1:06:41another me or another family of mine

1:06:43that has to go through this due to their

1:06:45negligence. I find you I again, I don't

1:06:47know if I can address them. I'm hearing

1:06:48people suck their teeth in the back of

1:06:49my head. You guys are disgusting.

1:06:53You guys are disgusting and you have

1:06:54ruined my life. But most importantly,

1:06:56you have ruined another little boy's

1:06:58life that's going to be in this world

1:06:59angry, wondering what happened to his

1:07:01father.

1:07:02You guys have ruined that.

1:07:05So F ruining y'all's club,

1:07:08how about the lives that y'all have

1:07:09ruined? Not just my son's, but his

1:07:10grandmother's, mine, his

1:07:12great-grandmother's, his aunt's.

1:07:15How about that?

1:07:16You guys ARE WORRYING ABOUT YOUR YOU

1:07:18GUYS ARE POOR MONEY-WISE and mentally.

1:07:21On my way here, I was what does poor

1:07:23mean? You can be poor without the money.

1:07:25I'm realizing you guys are poor without

1:07:27the money cuz clearly you couldn't

1:07:28afford to close down for the next 24

1:07:29hours. And you guys are poor in the mind

1:07:31because it took the last time we came

1:07:33here for city council to tell you guys

1:07:35that it would be morally correct for you

1:07:36guys to come up and give give us an

1:07:38apology. You guys couldn't even do that

1:07:39without direction. So clearly you guys

1:07:41can't even follow direction. You had to

1:07:43get direction from somebody else to

1:07:44apologize for somebody whose life you

1:07:46ruined. And you guys are grown men

1:07:49but want to control women swinging

1:07:50around a pole naked, but you can't even

1:07:52control your own minds.

1:07:54Figure it out. Please shut them down. I

1:07:56don't want no other little boy, no other

1:07:58little girl in this world to have to

1:08:00deal with this. And the sad thing is I

1:08:02live up the street from this club and

1:08:03now me and my son are misplaced due to

1:08:05the fact that I would never allow my son

1:08:08to even set eyes on this disgusting,

1:08:10negligent establishment. So now me and

1:08:12my son are misplaced due to you guys. So

1:08:15while you're sucking teeth in the back

1:08:16of your head, I'm going to be sucking my

1:08:17teeth for the rest of my life for the

1:08:19rest of my life. And I hope when you

1:08:20hear my my my fiance's name, when you

1:08:22hear the name of the person that died in

1:08:242022, when you hear the name of the

1:08:25person that got stabbed the year before

1:08:27that, I hope that makes you want to shut

1:08:29this establishment down because there's

1:08:30now that I know of three people whose

1:08:33lives are ruined, three families whose

1:08:35lives are ruined because of you three

1:08:36black men. And while y'all sitting here

1:08:37with your head HELD NO, HOLD YOUR HEAD

1:08:39HIGH. HOLD YOUR HEAD HIGH. HOLD IT HIGH.

1:08:42The same way my man was outside holding

1:08:43his head high by himself when you guys

1:08:45snuck inside and was worried about

1:08:46everything else, he was outside with his

1:08:48HEAD HELD HIGH BY HIMSELF. SO ALL THREE

1:08:50OF Y'ALL TOGETHER, HOLD YOUR HEAD HIGH.

1:08:53HOLD IT HIGH.

1:08:55>> THANK YOU.

1:08:57ANYONE else have any questions or

1:08:58comments?

1:09:00Hearing none.

1:09:01>> I think someone else is coming up.

1:09:05>> Is someone else who wanted to say

1:09:06something?

1:09:08Ladies?

1:09:10>> I would like to say something.

1:09:12>> Is somebody online? Did you hear Is

1:09:14someone online?

1:09:14>> Yeah, please go ahead.

1:09:16Please identify I'm sorry. Please

1:09:17identify yourself and where you live.

1:09:20>> My name is Kayla. I live in Worcester. I

1:09:23am speaking on behalf of my boyfriend

1:09:25who could not be here. Um, he is the

1:09:28brother of the person who was um

1:09:31injured. So, good afternoon. Um, his

1:09:34wave is Wavell Prentis and he is

1:09:36speaking today on behalf of his brother,

1:09:38Stephen Joseph, his family, and everyone

1:09:41whose lives have forever been impacted

1:09:43by what happened on October 11th at

1:09:44Hurricane Betty's located at 350 South

1:09:47Bridge Street. I want to make our

1:09:48position very clear. We are formally

1:09:50requesting the immediate suspension of

1:09:52this establishment's licenses and

1:09:54immediate shutdown of its operations.

1:09:57This is not simply about a business

1:09:58violating a few licensing

1:10:00regulations. This is about public

1:10:02safety, accountability, and the

1:10:04responsibility that comes with operating

1:10:05an establishment that serves alcohol and

1:10:07welcomes members of our community. On

1:10:10October 11th, a shooting occurred at

1:10:11this establishment resulting in the loss

1:10:13of his brother, Stephen Joseph, and a

1:10:16family lost someone who they love. A

1:10:17life was taken. There are people who

1:10:19will carry the consequences of that

1:10:20night for the rest of their lives. Now

1:10:22we are here reviewing the violations

1:10:24reportedly identified by the licensing

1:10:26commission in connection with this

1:10:27incident. Two counts of failing to

1:10:30observe required clearance and closing

1:10:33times. These are violations of the

1:10:35establishment's operating requirements.

1:10:37Failure to notify police and assist

1:10:39injured individuals during a disturbance

1:10:41or breach of the peace. This raises

1:10:43serious questions about the

1:10:44establishment's response to an incident

1:10:46involving public safety and individuals

1:10:48in need of help. Failure of manager

1:10:51failure of the manager to accept

1:10:53responsibility for violations or

1:10:55infractions of the law incurring at this

1:10:57establishment. Management has a

1:10:59responsibility to ensure that the

1:11:01business operates lawfully and safely.

1:11:04Unauthorized renovations or alterations

1:11:06without prior licensing commission

1:11:07approval. This demonstrates additional

1:11:10disregard for licensing requirements.

1:11:12Improper purchasing and sale of

1:11:14alcoholic beverages including purchases

1:11:16of alcohol and prohibited prohibited

1:11:18small containers and selling alcohol for

1:11:21consumption off the premises. These are

1:11:23not minor concerns that should be

1:11:25brushed aside. They represent multiple

1:11:27areas of alleged non-compliance

1:11:29involving operational oversight,

1:11:31management accountability, alcohol

1:11:32regulations, and public safety. We

1:11:34cannot ignore the circumstances

1:11:36surrounding October 11th. When this When

1:11:38an establishment is entrusted with

1:11:40serving the public, it also accepts the

1:11:42responsibility to maintain a safe

1:11:43environment, follow the law, and respond

1:11:45appropriately when a serious disturbance

1:11:47occurs. The allegations concerning the

1:11:50failure to notify police and assist

1:11:52injured individuals are particularly

1:11:54troubling in light of the shooting that

1:11:56occurred that night. We expect the

1:11:58commission to examine exactly what

1:11:59happened and what actions were or were

1:12:01not taken and whether the establishment

1:12:03fulfilled its legal responsibilities. A

1:12:05business license is not a privilege that

1:12:07should be protected at the expense of

1:12:09public safety. Our family should not

1:12:11have to repeatedly appear before this

1:12:13commission to explain why these

1:12:15circumstances deserve serious

1:12:16consequences. We should not have to keep

1:12:18asking for accountability while an

1:12:20establishment connected to such

1:12:22while an establishment connected to such

1:12:24devastating incident continues to

1:12:26operate. Steven cannot come back. No

1:12:28suspension, fine, or licensing decision

1:12:30can undo what happened to him, but the

1:12:32commission does have the authority to

1:12:34take meaningful action to prevent

1:12:36further harm and demonstrate that the

1:12:38public safety matters more than keeping

1:12:40a business open. We are not asking for

1:12:43another warning. We are not asking for

1:12:44another slap on the wrist. We are not

1:12:46asking for another temporary premises

1:12:48promises that will improve. We are

1:12:51requesting the immediate suspension of

1:12:53all applicable licenses, the immediate

1:12:55closure of Hurricane Betty's, and the

1:12:57strongest disciplinary action permitted

1:12:59under the law including permanent

1:13:01revocation where warranted. We ask that

1:13:04the commissioner

1:13:06consider every violation, the

1:13:07circumstances of October 11th, the

1:13:09establishment, managed management

1:13:11responsibilities, and the safety of the

1:13:13surrounding community when making this

1:13:15decision. Steven deserves to be

1:13:17remembered as more than another name

1:13:18associated with a shooting at this

1:13:20establishment. He was someone's brother.

1:13:22He was someone's family. He was

1:13:23someone's father. He was someone's lover

1:13:24and a person whose life mattered. His

1:13:27family deserves uh accountability. This

1:13:30community deserves to feel safe, and the

1:13:31Commission has opportunity today to

1:13:33demonstrate that these responsibilities

1:13:36were taken seriously. Please do not

1:13:38allow this to become another incident

1:13:39that is discussed or talked about in

1:13:41this court or documented and eventually

1:13:42forgotten. We are asking you to take

1:13:44action. We are asking you to put the

1:13:46public first versus this establishment.

1:13:48We are asking you to shut down this

1:13:49establishment immediately. Thank you.

1:13:52>> Thank you.

1:13:54Anyone else?

1:13:57All right. Hearing no other test I'm

1:13:58sorry.

1:14:05Yes. Your name and where you live,

1:14:07please.

1:14:08>> Good morning.

1:14:10My name is Elena Constant Joseph. I am

1:14:14the mother

1:14:16of the deceased.

1:14:17I just want to tell you a little bit

1:14:19about my son. So my son was loved. He

1:14:22came from a two-parent household. Me and

1:14:25my husband was high school sweethearts.

1:14:27We married. We had four children.

1:14:30Stephen was the oldest. He's a college

1:14:32graduate, Framingham State University.

1:14:36I'm at two in 2009 he was able to meet

1:14:41President Obama because of his grades.

1:14:43He went to Tech Boston Academy.

1:14:46He also maintained the CDL license and

1:14:49had several endorsements. So the way

1:14:52that

1:14:53he passed away was disgusting.

1:14:57I worked hard, and he also worked hard.

1:15:00He had a family. He paid for everything.

1:15:02He was a solid soldier even to his

1:15:04demise, the way he fought for his life.

1:15:07And the negligence of this club

1:15:12and the fact that this is the second

1:15:14family. So

1:15:16if the Commonwealth can do something

1:15:19about this establishment

1:15:21and

1:15:23I I would not like

1:15:25for another family to feel this pain cuz

1:15:27I had to bury my son on the 24th. I

1:15:29never knew that a parent would have to

1:15:31bury their son, the first born. He

1:15:34walked watched my daughter. My daughter

1:15:37is here today. He walked her to school.

1:15:40So that's, you know,

1:15:42it's a a very sad situation and we're

1:15:45dealing with it. My mom is here. Um,

1:15:49you know, that's her first grandchild

1:15:51and you know, it's it's it's it's ugly.

1:15:55The fact that um

1:15:57Steven always wanted to stay in

1:15:58Massachusetts. He was born in New York.

1:16:00We moved to Massachusetts to have a

1:16:02better life and he flourished in

1:16:04Massachusetts.

1:16:06And he stayed in Massachusetts as the

1:16:08others fled because the state of

1:16:10Massachusetts is so expensive. He was a

1:16:12young couple, him and his partner, and

1:16:16they decide to live in Worcester and

1:16:17afford to live in the Boston area. So

1:16:19he's one of the students that stayed and

1:16:22actually graduated from Framingham State

1:16:24University and he wanted to live in

1:16:27Massachusetts.

1:16:28And he worked 70 80 hours more taking

1:16:32multiple shifts um to secure his family.

1:16:36And he was not a regular person. He's

1:16:39someone who worked and he worked hard.

1:16:42And now um

1:16:44we have to raise his son, my grandson.

1:16:47Um, his life partner her life will

1:16:50always be empty. Um,

1:16:53she's in a crisis at this time because

1:16:56um

1:16:57he he was the one who he

1:17:00he he paid everything, you know. Um, he

1:17:02was a true man

1:17:04and a definition of what a man was.

1:17:07And um that day was lost when I got the

1:17:10call.

1:17:11And we here today. And um again, thank

1:17:15you for um listening to um

1:17:19our definition of Steven. And um I would

1:17:22like to thank the detective, the

1:17:24sergeant, excuse me,

1:17:25for his tedious work and all the

1:17:28mentioning all the violations and I

1:17:30would like the Commonwealth to take all

1:17:32of that into consideration. And thank

1:17:34you.

1:17:35>> Thank you.

1:17:36Yeah, let let

1:17:36>> this board offer its condolences and

1:17:39nothing words could be said that can

1:17:42relieve all of the pain that you're all

1:17:44suffering because of this. But

1:17:47having heard this from my counselor, is

1:17:48there anything else you'd like to say

1:17:50before

1:17:51I make a decision here?

1:17:53>> If I could just say just briefly

1:17:58There is no disputing the tragedy of

1:18:01October 11th and I I I have spoken to

1:18:04the people at Hurricane Betty's.

1:18:06People who have come here today.

1:18:08They're under no illusion this is a real

1:18:10horrendous tragedy and they

1:18:12it's not as if they're deaf to what is

1:18:14being said.

1:18:15[clears throat]

1:18:16They've been

1:18:17fully cooperative with police. They've

1:18:19been fully cooperative with the district

1:18:20attorney's office. I've spoken to the

1:18:22district attorney's office on this

1:18:23matter.

1:18:24They will continue to be fully

1:18:25cooperative as the grand jury proceeds.

1:18:29This is

1:18:30they're not offering testimony. The

1:18:31observations of Sergeant Needham,

1:18:33there's no disputing it.

1:18:36There's no challenging the observations

1:18:38as to violation

1:18:40one, the two counts, rule 14, rule 17.

1:18:44No disputing.

1:18:47There's no disputing police should have

1:18:48been called earlier, rule 29.

1:18:52Looking back on it obviously, I I just

1:18:54point to the

1:18:55record that there were

1:18:57members of security who came out

1:18:59who tried to

1:19:01stop what was a disturbance.

1:19:03They executed poorly. They made poor

1:19:05decisions.

1:19:06But when the shot was fired at 2:06

1:19:09911 was called at 2:07.

1:19:11And then I would also say in rule 37 as

1:19:13to the bottle service.

1:19:16No one's disputing that there was a

1:19:17bottle

1:19:18in the premises.

1:19:19But there was no information to say that

1:19:21somebody an employee actually gave that

1:19:23bottle to anybody in the restaurant. And

1:19:25again, none of that is to minimize the

1:19:26tragedy. None of it is to

1:19:28to somehow minimize what went on, but it

1:19:32is to say

1:19:34is to recognize the Hurricane Betty's

1:19:36understands the gravity of the

1:19:37situation, is participating with law

1:19:39enforcement, is

1:19:40participating with this commission

1:19:41because it knows it has a

1:19:43responsibility. Um,

1:19:45I've spoken [snorts] um, oh and

1:19:48acknowledges [clears throat]

1:19:48exactly what we've already heard. 2022

1:19:512024

1:19:53this is not the first time before this

1:19:54commission or committee understands

1:19:56that. I've spoken to uh management

1:19:59Hurricane Betty's. They understand the

1:20:01gravity of the situation. They're

1:20:03proposing a complete overhaul of

1:20:05security. They're proposing a complete

1:20:07reshuffling of management in terms of

1:20:09retraining of management, completely new

1:20:11security um

1:20:13suggesting even or um having off um out

1:20:16of company, out of business outside

1:20:18security doing the security work for

1:20:20Hurricane Betty's um suggesting those

1:20:23proposals as a way to move forward after

1:20:26the suspension um that this board will

1:20:28commission will um give. Um, so I would

1:20:31ask this commission to consider those

1:20:33changes, consider

1:20:34the involvement of Hurricane Betty's in

1:20:36the in the investigation

1:20:38in the participation and there's no

1:20:40minimizing the tragedy from Hurricane

1:20:42Betty's perspective on what transpired

1:20:44on October 11th.

1:20:46>> Thank you.

1:20:47Based upon the testimony of the police

1:20:50department and the investigation

1:20:52based upon your comments to this board

1:20:55about uh accepting and uh that what was

1:20:58said did take place, I find that the

1:21:01violations did occur.

1:21:03I make a motion

1:21:05that the violations uh did occur.

1:21:07>> Second. Commissioner Cruz.

1:21:09>> Yes.

1:21:10>> Commissioner Fisher.

1:21:10>> Yes.

1:21:11>> Chair Vigliotti.

1:21:12>> Yes. Having said that

1:21:15this is not the first time and you you

1:21:17know counselor you know the record.

1:21:20You know

1:21:21that's a horrendous report. It's like in

1:21:23your face that nobody cares. It was just

1:21:26like the Wild West gone wild.

1:21:29Um,

1:21:30based upon that report, based upon

1:21:32previous history, based upon what's

1:21:34happened

1:21:35uh

1:21:36I I I can't accept what you're saying to

1:21:38me about reforming and changing and so

1:21:40forth.

1:21:41Based upon all of that, I make a motion

1:21:43to revoke the license.

1:21:45>> Second.

1:21:47>> Commissioner Cruz?

1:21:47>> Yes.

1:21:48>> Commissioner Fisher?

1:21:49>> Yes.

1:21:50>> Yes.

1:21:51>> Through the chair, is that that

1:21:52entertainment and alcohol, correct?

1:21:55>> That is correct. Both entertainment and

1:21:56alcohol revoked.

1:21:58Would the commission consider staying

1:22:00this decision until we have a chance to

1:22:01appeal to the ABCC?

1:22:03>> No.

1:22:03>> No.

1:22:05>> Sorry.

1:22:05>> No.

1:22:06>> No.

1:22:07>> My deepest condolences to the family um

1:22:10for this tragedy. I am so deeply sorry

1:22:12because I know what it's like

1:22:14to lose

1:22:15someone like that. I am a grandmother. I

1:22:17am a mother. I have a son and it's

1:22:21I am just I have no words to

1:22:23you know that can give you comfort. I'm

1:22:25deeply sorry.

1:22:27>> Thank you for your service, counsel.

1:22:28>> Thank you.

1:22:39>> Uh is there any um old business?

1:22:43Any new business?

1:22:44[clears throat]

1:22:45Motion to adjourn.

1:22:46>> I have some new business.

1:22:47>> Old new business.

1:22:48>> New business.

1:22:49>> I'd like to recognize Commissioner

1:22:50Vigliotti on the celebration of his

1:22:52birthday today.

1:22:54>> [laughter]

1:22:55>> Well, thank you.

1:22:55>> birthday.

1:22:57>> I came to work though.

1:22:58>> cake?

1:22:58>> No.

1:22:59>> Oh, well.

1:23:01>> My treat I said to Debbie my treat next

1:23:03meeting the 12th

1:23:05uh we're taking everybody out to lunch

1:23:07my treat.

1:23:08>> [laughter]

1:23:09>> Thank you.

1:23:10>> Thank you.

1:23:10>> Through the chair, we just finished the

1:23:12adjournment of the meeting.

1:23:13>> Adjust accordingly.

1:23:14>> Meet Second.

1:23:15>> Commissioner Cruz?

1:23:16>> Yes.

1:23:17>> Commissioner Fisher?

1:23:17>> Yes.

1:23:20>> Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to

1:23:23you. Happy birthday. Happy birthday.

1:23:25Happy birthday to you. Much health.

1:23:27Everything else comes

1:23:30Absolutely.

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