MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE

CUMBERLAND BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2026 at 7:30 P.M.

CUMBERLAND TOWN HALL, EVERETT “MOE” BONNER, JR. COUNCIL CHAMBERS

45 BROAD STREET, CUMBERLAND, RHODE ISLAND

 

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Shaw called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.

 

ACCEPTANCE OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

A.    Acceptance of Minutes of the regular meeting of February 4, 2026.

 

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER KINCH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MAGILL AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE.  VOTE 7/0.

 

NEW BUSINESS

A.  CLASS BNT LICENSE – PUBLIC HEARING

1.   An application for a Class BNT (non-transferable) license from Upper Deck Baseball Academy LLC located at 75 John C. Dean Memorial Boulevard.

 

Public hearing opened at 7:31p.m.

The applicant, Brad Dean (109 Staples Road), and his facility manager, Jeff Lyons (27 New York Avenue), appeared before the Council. Mr. Dean distributed copies of the proposed layout and provided a brief history of Upper Deck, a baseball and softball training facility established in 2001.  He explained that a recent vacancy has allowed for a 25,000-square-foot expansion, effectively quadrupling the facility’s size. This additional space will accommodate the program’s growth and allow for the inclusion of soccer and lacrosse. The expansion aims to provide an area for parents to hang out and the kids to grab a snack, like Worldwide Sports in Warwick.  There's no full kitchen, they’re opting for air fryers and small appliances to prepare simple, kid-friendly foods.  The applicants noted that the bar area will feature a separate entrance distinct from the main facility. Upon entering through the main doors, the bar will be located to the right, while the training facility will remain to the left.

Commissioner Shaw pointed out that Worldwide Sports has a beer and wine license, and granting a full liquor license to a child-oriented facility would be unprecedented.

 

Mr. Dean clarified that his original intent was to apply for a beer and wine license. However, he opted for a full license on the advice of others to preempt the need for a future upgrade. He noted that primarily it would be mostly beer and wine. 

 

Mr. Lyons shared that parents frequently commented that they wish there were a spot they could enjoy a snack while their children are entertained. He believes this provides a valuable opportunity to satisfy parental needs while ensuring children are fed in a convenient setting.

 

Commissioner Kinch questioned if a menu has been finalized.

 

Mr. Dean stated that planning is in the initial phases and the menu is still being developed.  He noted a projected June opening and committed to submitting the menu shortly.

 

Commissioner Shaw responded that without a menu the application for Class BNT is incomplete, and he further inquired about the proposed operating hours for the bare area.

 

Mr. Dean reported that the proposed hours are tentatively 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays, with earlier opening times on weekends. He noted that these hours remain subject to change based on initial demand.

 

Public hearing closed at 7:39p.m.

 

Commissioner Sweet sought clarification about the physical separation between the bar and training areas, noting it was difficult to see from the provided documentation.  She inquired about the dimensions of the bar area and asked whether there would be adequate signage indicating that alcoholic beverages must remain within that designated space.

 

The applicant confirmed that the bar area is approximately 1200 square feet.  The bar area is already a completely enclosed room with walls separating it from the training facility, but yes, they will have appropriate signage.

 

Commissioner Magill asked for clarification of the separation of the bar area from the training area. 

 

Mr. Dean answered that while there would be a door connecting to the training facility, the bar would be totally enclosed as it currently exists.  

 

Commissioner Kinch asked about Saturday hours, and the applicant clarified that while weekday hours would be 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays would likely open earlier, around 8:30 a.m., with alcohol service beginning after 12 p.m. Sunday hours would follow a similar pattern.

 

Commissioner Magill sought confirmation that the closing time would remain 10:00 p.m. on weekends regardless of the earlier opening hours; the applicant verified that this was correct.

 

Commissioner Beaulieu raised several questions about alcohol service hours and whether there were town restrictions on serving times.

 

Commissioner Shaw noted that end times for alcohol service were set at midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. weekends, with morning start times being early to accommodate restaurants serving items like mimosas at breakfast.

 

Commissioner Shaw and Solicitor Salvatore expressed concerns about the menu requirements, noting that a full liquor license requires a substantial amount of food service, not just snacks like popcorn. There are minimum expectations and requirements for food service with this Class BNT license.

 

Commissioner Shaw then voiced significant concerns about the appropriateness of a full liquor license in a children's facility. He didn't mind it at Wide World because it was beer and wine but doesn’t support a full liquor license when it involves a kid’s facility.  He continued, expressing reluctance to be the first to approve such a license in the state, noting he didn't believe such an arrangement existed anywhere else in Rhode Island or the region. He stated he would vote no on the BNT license but suggested the applicant could pursue a beer and wine license instead.

 

The applicant responded positively to this suggestion, noting the beer and wine license was his initial thought. 

 

Commissioner Sweet reinforced the concerns about food service requirements, warning that staying with a full liquor license without an extensive menu could lead to problems with state regulations regarding the required percentage of food sales.

 

The applicant indicated he hadn't realized the menu requirements were tied to the license type and had no issue with changing the application.

 

The solicitor confirmed that a beverage license requires a kitchen and that over 50% of sales must be from food.

 

Commissioner Bradley questioned if they softened the requirements for La Perch because he recalls a full kitchen wasn’t necessity for the same license type. 

 

Commissioner Shaw and Solicitor Salvatore clarified that any requirements come from state law, not local softening of regulations.

 

Commissioner Kinch expressed nervousness about being the first to approve such a license and made a motion to deny.

 

Commissioner Shaw raised a procedural question about whether denial would require the applicant to reapply for everything.

 

The solicitor suggested tabling the matter instead, which would allow the applicant to replace his application with a beer and wine license request. Since they would be asking for less than what was advertised, it likely wouldn't be a problem.

 

Commissioner Shaw suggested tabling it to next month’s meeting.  He also stated that the Town Clerk will contact the applicant once the requirements have been established by the Solicitor. 

 

MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER KINCH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MCGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO MARCH 4, 2026. VOTE: 7/0.   

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Aarav Jain 15 Millwood Drive. He asked for clarification about the times mentioned during the license application discussion, specifically whether "4 to 10" referred to p.m. or a.m.  He was informed that the times discussed were 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.  

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER KINCH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MCGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 7:47P.M.  VOTE 7/0.