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| LICENSING BOARD | SPECIAL MEETING | COUNCIL CHAMBERS |
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| FRIDAY | JULY 1, 2022 | 9:30 A.M. |
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1. 9:30 A.M. CALL TO ORDER
Present: Paul Gencarella Jr., Vice Chair
Angela M. Thoman-Miller
Jaime Przekop Vorenkamp
Stephen J. Iacoi
Dawn Robinson, Alternate Member
T. Sol. Dylan Conley, Esq
Mary L. LeBlanc, Clerk
Absent: Joseph Nigrelli
SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Led by Angela M. Thoman-Miller
Vice Chair Gencarella introduced and welcomed the two new board members, Jamie Przekop Vorenkamp and Stephen J. Iacoi. He announced that today is Dawn Robinson’s last meeting as a member of the board.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Regular Meeting – June 9, 2022
Motion by Ms. Thoman-Miller, Seconded by Ms. Robinson, 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
a. Liquor License Class B Victualer - New
Thirsty Beaver Westerly LLC
dba: Thirsty Beaver 265 Post Rd
Present: Thomas J. Liguori, Jr., Esq., representing Thirsty Beaver Westerly LLC
Jeffrey Quinlan, owner, Thirsty Beaver Westerly LLC
Motion by Ms. Robinson, Seconded by Ms. Thoman-Miller, that the Public Hearing be opened. (Voted Unanimously)
Attorney Liguori stated that the facility has been used as a restaurant since its construction around 1985 and it formerly housed No Bull restaurant and Sea Goose restaurant. He reported that the Dunns Corners Fire Marshall is asking for the installation of a fire suppression system and additional ingress/egress doors before approving the license. He asked that the Class B-Victualer Beverage License be granted subject to prior approval of proper authorities. He stated that this family-atmosphere restaurant will be the third Rhode Island Thirsty Beaver and that it will be a nice compliment to Westerly’s hospitality industry.
Mr. Quinlan responded to questions from the Licensing Board regarding the layout of the restaurant, changes being made to enhance the curb appeal, storage areas, seating capacity and inside entertainment.
No one appeared in favor or in opposition.
Motion by Ms. Robinson, Seconded by Ms. Thoman-Miller, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
Motion by Ms. Thoman-Miller, Seconded by Ms. Robinson, to close the Public Hearing. (Voted Unanimously)
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. One-Time Event(s):
Misquamicut Business Association 316 Atlantic Ave
July 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10,13,14,15,16 & 17, 2022
5:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Motion by Ms. Thoman-Miller, Seconded by Ms. Robinson, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
Misquamicut Business Association 316 Atlantic Ave
July 20,21,22,23,24,27,28,29 & 30, 2022
August 4,5,6,11 & 12, 2022
5:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Motion by Ms. Robinson, Seconded by Ms. Thoman-Miller, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
Misquamicut Business Association 316 Atlantic Ave
August 13,14,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,
26,27 & 28, 2022
5:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Motion by Ms. Thoman-Miller, Seconded by Ms. Robinson, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
Misquamicut Business Association 316 Atlantic Ave
August 30 & 31, 2022
Sept.1,2,3,4,9,10,23 & 24, 2022
5:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Motion by Ms. Robinson, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
Misquamicut Business Association 321 Atlantic Ave
July 5,12,19 & 26, 2022
August 2,9,16,23 & 30, 2022
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Motion by Ms. Thoman-Miller, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
6. ANY OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD
a. Inside Entertainment – Surf Cantina, 15 Canal St
Present: Paul Gencarella, Chief of Police
Shawn Lacey, Town Manager
Town Solicitor Conley stated that the aforesaid matter was placed on the agenda at the request of a board member who is not present. He stated that he has reviewed the Inside Entertainment Ordinance; that the police have visited the location on multiple occasions; and that there have been no violations of noise or inside entertainment ordinance at the site. He stated that residents of the condominium complex located directly across the street from the establishment are experiencing a change in the use of the area and feel that noise is a violation of the location; however, there is no evidence of violation. He believed that the owner and operator of the establishment has been cooperative with the Town. He explained the process for a Show Cause hearing, specific to Inside Entertainment.
Chief of Police Gencarella reported that the department has visited the establishment several times over the past six; that the complaints usually occur on weekends; and that the Police Department has not found any violation of the noise ordinance. He stated that police officers have tested the decibel levels from across the street of the establishment where the complaints have generated and that the findings are all under the allowable decibel levels. He stated that the officers have not been able to access any of the complainant’s residences in the condominium complex to test the decibel levels. He reported that the establishment has been cooperative by closing its doors and changing the location of the music booth. He stated that the complaints arise when the doors are open and, once the establishment’s doors are closed, the issue is resolved.
Ms. Robinson stated, for the record, that establishment has lessened the noise level from when it first opened. She stated that, when the owners initially appeared before the board, they stated that the doors of the establishment would be open and that there would be music and there were no concerns expressed at that time. She felt that the establishment has cooperated.
7. ADJOURNMENT
9:54 A.M. Voted Unanimously to adjourn.
| ATTEST: | |
| | Mary L. LeBlanc, MMC Licensing Board Clerk |
Details of the aforesaid proceedings are video streamed and available on the Town of Westerly website.