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| REGULAR MEETING | LICENSING BOARD | COUNCIL CHAMBERS |
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| THURSDAY | July 8, 2021 | 9:30 A.M. |
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THIS WAS A HYBRID MEETING.
The public was able to view and participate in this meeting.
1. 9:33 A.M. CALL TO ORDER
Present: Michael Cardiff, Chair
Paul Gencarella Jr., Vice Chair
Joseph M. Nigrelli, Jr.
Mary E. Belanger
Dawn Robinson, Alternate Member
T. Sol. Dylan Conley, Esq
Mary L. LeBlanc, Clerk Pro Tem
Absent: Angela M. Thoman-Miller
Donna L. Giordano, Clerk
SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Licensing Board Chair
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
Regular Meeting – June 10, 2021
Motion by Mr. Nigrelli, Seconded by Ms. Belanger, that the aforesaid minutes be accepted and approved as printed. (Voted Unanimously)
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Comments shall be limited to agenda items, excluding matters to be scheduled for public hearing.
None
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS (Liquor Licenses & Others)
Motion by Mr. Gencarella, Seconded by Ms. Belanger, to open the Public Hearings. (Voted Unanimously)
Liquor Class B Victualer – New
Tortuga Group LLC
dba: Bomb Burritos & Bowls 240 Post Rd. Ste. 4
Present: Daniel Latimer, applicant
Mr. Daniel’s responded to questions from the Board regarding the 21-seating capacity, single-serve cocktails to go, the hours of operation, and the locations of where the liquor will be stored and sold. He noted that 85% of the business is “to go” service. He stated that no major structural changes were made.
No one appeared in favor or in opposition.
Motion by Mr. Gencarella, Seconded by Mr. Nigrelli, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
Liquor Class B Victualer – New
Daniel Van Kruiningen & Kenneth Fontaine
dba: Surf Cantina 15 Canal St.
Present: Daniel Van Kruiningen, applicant
Mr. Van Kruiningen responded to questions from the Board regarding the anticipated opening date, the menu, renovations made to the establishment, which include a new bar on the dining room side, the installation of three garage doors that open to the sidewalk, and a new entrance. He stated that the seating capacity is 177, which includes approximately 38 seats at the bar and the remaining sit-down seating. He stated that the licensees own two other restaurants in Guilford, Connecticut and Mystic, Connecticut, both with full liquor licenses.
Town Solicitor Conley stated that the agenda needs to be amended to reflect the proposed licensee from a partnership to an LLC, which was submitted subsequent to the advertisement of the public hearing. He explained that it is the same license being requested and the same principals and it is not considered a transfer because a license has not yet been granted.
Motion by Mr. Nigrelli, Seconded by Ms. Robinson, that the agenda be amended to reflect that the applicant and proper business name is K&D Westerly LLC. (Voted Unanimously)
No one appeared in favor or in opposition.
Motion by Mr. Gencarella, Seconded by Ms. Belanger, that the aforesaid license, as K&D Westerly, LLC/dba: Surf Cantina, be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
Liquor Class B Victualer – New
Crowhead Productions LLC
dba: The Café 82 High St. (AP 56/Lot 61)
(Also referred to as 3 Canal St.)
Present: John Payne, Jr., Esq., representing applicant
Daniel King, applicant
Attorney Payne stated that the business is located at the former Twisted Vine restaurant in downtown.
Mr. King responded to questions from the Board regarding the significant renovations made to the establishment, which included bar renovations and upgrades to the kitchen area. He explained that the 86-seat capacity café will serve American classic fare and that the anticipated opening date is early September. He stated that he provided a map showing the locations of where the liquor will be securely kept.
No one appeared in favor or in opposition.
Motion by Mr. Nigrelli, Seconded by Mr. Gencarella, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
Motion by Mr. Nigrelli, Seconded by Mr. Gencarella, that the public hearings be closed. (Voted Unanimously)
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. New Licenses and Permits
Inside Entertainment - New
Ocean Community United Theatre Inc.
United Theatre 5-7 Canal St
Present: Thomas J. Liguori, Jr., Esq., Secretary of Ocean Community United Theatre, Inc.
Attorney Liguori responded to questions from the Board regarding renovations made to the theatre, which include an 80-seat cinema, a 25-seat cinema, a multi-function room, a black box film area with an approximately 400-total standing and seating capacity, a broadcast facility for Rhode Island public radio, and a satellite music school of the Rhode Island Philharmonic orchestra. and administrative offices. He stated that the facility will show first-run films. He further stated that this has been a public, private and philanthropic project with a total value of approximately $16 million.
Motion by Mr. Nigrelli, Seconded by Mr. Gencarella, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
Outdoor Alcohol Service-COVID-19 Extensions
Bocci Club 64 Ledward Ave
Motion by Mr. Nigrelli, Seconded by Ms. Belanger, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
One-Time Event(s)
Annual 25th Virtu Arts Festival
Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce Wilcox Park
July 17 & 18, 2021 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Motion by Mr. Gencarella, Seconded by Ms. Belanger, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
Misquamicut Business Association 316 Atlantic Ave
Aug. 1, 5-10, 12-15, 19-21, 2021
6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Misquamicut Business Association 316 Atlantic Ave
Aug. 22, 25-29 & Sept. 2-5, 10, 11, 2021
6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Motion by Mr. Gencarella, Seconded by Ms. Belanger, that the aforesaid licenses be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
b. Renewals
1. Ratify & Confirm – None
2. Order Advertise for Public Hearing on August 12, 2021:
Liquor License Class T- Theatre
Ocean Community United Theatre Inc.
dba: United Theatre 5-7 Canal Street
Present: Thomas J. Liguori, Jr., Esq., representing applicant
Attorney Liguori asked if the Board would consider scheduling a special meeting for the public hearing on the Class T-Theatre Beverage License application before July 30, 2021, the anticipated grand opening date of the United Theatre.
Motion by Mr. Nigrelli, Seconded by Mr. Gencarella, that the aforesaid license be ordered advertised for public hearing at a Special Licensing Board meeting on July 28, 2021 at 9:30 a.m.. (Voted Unanimously)
Outside Entertainment License (May 1 through October 31, 2021)
The Haversham LLC
dba: The Haversham 336 Post Road
Motion by Mr. Gencarella, Seconded by Ms. Robinson, that the aforesaid license be ordered advertised for public hearing on August 12, 2021. (Voted Unanimously)
7. COMMUNICATIONS
a. Correspondence
1. Peddle Bike – Ms. Belanger stated that the application for a peddle bike was denied by the Town due to restrictions by the State of Rhode Island; however, it was brought to her attention that the peddle bike was seen operating in Misquamicut over the weekend and she has photographs of same.
Town Solicitor Conley stated that he will notify the Chief of Police and that they, along with staff and the police department, will investigate the matter and, if a violation is found, he will bring the matter to the Licensing Board for a show cause hearing.
b. Town Solicitor Report – None
8. ADJOURNMENT
10:18 A.M. Voted Unanimously to adjourn.
| ATTEST: | |
| | Mary L. LeBlanc, MMC Licensing Board Clerk Pro Tem |
Details of the aforesaid proceedings are video streamed and available on the Town of Westerly website.