MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2024 AT 7:30P.M.

CUMBERLAND PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX

1379 DIAMOND HILL ROAD, CUMBERLAND, RHODE ISLAND

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Commissioner Magill

 

Members Present:  Commissioner Kinch, Bradley, Magill, Schmitt, Shaw and Beaulieu.

Member Recused: Commissioner Metivier

Also Present:  Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter, Sarah F. King, Community Outreach Coordinator; Town Solicitor Kelley Morris Salvatore and Sandra M. Giovanelli, Town Clerk.

 

 

ACCEPTANCE OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

A.  Acceptance of Minutes of the special meeting of July 17, 2024.

 

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SHAW, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KINCH, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 6/0.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

A.  Discussion and potential amendment(s) to the Order of the Board of Licenses dated December 20, 2022 (tabled from July 17, 2024)

 

Commissioner Schmitt for clarification asked, we have an order here, what are we being asked to do, remove that Order in its entirety?

 

Solicitor Salvatore replied that the Board can do as they wish.  They’ve read through the order, if you wish to have the order repealed, I can memorialize it with a new order stating the order dated is hereby repealed.

 

Commissioner Schmitt asked the Chief for his recommendation.

 

Chief Benson explained that under the new leadership of the Club, things have been going very smoothly.  They have had maybe two calls for service over the last year and a half or so, and one of those was self-reported.  They had an issue with a party that came in which was supposed to be for a certain amount, more people came than originally expected so they reached out immediately to notify us.  I have no complaints with the club at this time.

 

Chris DaCosta was present as a representative of the Club, from my understanding I thought we were trying to get all the restrictions removed, not just the club parties.

 

Commissioner Kinch believed it was to remove whatever the restrictions were.  The President of the Club, Mr. Marques, had stated he wanted to keep the same security plan.

 

Mr. DaCosta explained they plan to keep the same security plan on our behalf.  We believe it is beneficial to continue the parking lot patrols; we recognize we can be everywhere at once. Additionally, they’ll continue to maintain the building security, while security is outside, making sure that nobody is outside drinking and that the cars are all secure.

 

Ivania Sapada, a bartender at the Club, spoke to the findings that they lacked communication and information to law enforcement that evening.  Many things weigh on her mind, and she has been trying to find an opportunity to express them.  Particularly, the findings that there was no cooperation from staff that night with law enforcement, which is false.  No one from the Club who was there that evening on the incident was allowed to speak to provide clarification of these facts.  She mentions that this situation has taken a toll on her.   I care about the Club; It’s an important place to her.  It’s a non-profit that provides services and a community for an underserved Portuguese population.  As the main bartender, I did call law enforcement twice, once at 9:59 p.m. and again at 10:04 p.m.  I am not sure how readily available that information is to the local law enforcement, it took me fifteen minutes to request those records from 9-1-1. This has been a heavy load, it has been super stressful for me, and it has taken an emotional toll and an extreme financial burden on the Club.  I would do anything and everything to keep my patrons safe and did everything I knew that night to communicate with law enforcement to keep our patron safe.  If you have any further questions about that I would be happy to discuss it further if you are open to listening. 

 

Commissioner Kinch requests they move forward on this at this point.

 

Commissioner Beaulieu points out that item number 2 says to submit or revise the security plan.  Do all establishments like this have a Security Plan with the Police Department or does the security plan expire when rescinded?

 

Chief Benson noted they were required to submit a security plan. They are a unique entity, not really anything to truly compare it to, my understanding was that submission was a requirement of that components is what they wanted to do in conjunction with what we recommended, they did that and they have been living under that, it has worked, and my conversations with the new leadership they are supportive in maintaining that which is where I come in and say I am supportive…it has been a successful relationship with that in place, I think we are under the same understand that they want to continue that, it has worked to their benefit, they have not had any issues, they have not had any issues, we have not had to go over there, it has been a good working relationship in that regard…they submitted it, we reviewed it, went back forth with some edits to it and they ultimately adopted it, that was the walking path

.

Solicitor Salvatore stressed this was to be submitted for review and the Club worked with the Chief, it was not a requirement that they approve it, and if they want to continue to work with the Police Department on suggestive security measures, they can do that.

 

Chief Benson stated the Lusitana Club has been a good partner for the Police Department and the Town.  Since the incident they have properly secured protocols in place that we support and have collaboratively worked on together. He supports those restrictions being lifted at this time.

 

Solicitor Salvatore advises that they need a vote to repeal the order which she can memorialize and have it put it into the file.

 

Commissioner Shaw inquired if they voted to remove the entirety of the order, will there still be the understanding as stated by the representative of the Club Mr. DaCosta this evening, that the Club will continue with some of the security measures and will not go back the old security protocol before the incident.

 

Solicitor Salvatore states that the Club must provide to the Clerk or the Chief, whatever every other License holder must provide, and nothing more.

 

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SHAW, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KINCH, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 6/0.

 

NEW BUSINESS

A.    CLASS F1 ONE-DAY LIQUOR LICENSE

1.      An application for a Class F1 License from the Cumberland Beagle Club, 425 Nate Whipple Highway for Layla’s Dream Ride to be held from 8am to 4pm on September 14, 2024, with a rain date of September 15, 2024

 

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SHAW, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 6/0.

 

The issuing of the license is subject to the final tent inspection.

2.      An application for a Class F1 License from the Cumberland Beagle Club, 425 Nate Whipple Highway for their annual Game Dinner to be held on September 21, 2024, from 1pm to 5pm

 

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SHAW, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 6/0.

 

The issuing of the license is subject to the final tent inspection.  

 

B.  CLASS F ONE-DAY BEER & WINE LICENSE

1.  An application for a Class F License from Phantom Farms II LLC for a fundraiser to be held on September 6, 2024, from 6pm to 9pm

 

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER KINCH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SHAW, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 6/0.

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SHAW, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KINCH, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:01 P.M. VOTE 6/0.

 

Individuals requiring interpreter services for the hearing impaired or needing additional information should notify the Town Clerk's Office no less than 48 hours before the meeting.

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