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REGULAR MEETING	LICENSING BOARD	COUNCIL CHAMBERS

THURSDAY	JUNE 12, 2025	9:30 A.M.

1. 9:30 A.M. CALL TO ORDER

Present: Paul Gencarella Jr., Chair

Joseph M. Nigrelli, Jr. Vice Chair

Jaime Przekop Vorenkamp

Stephen J. Iacoi

Jason Abate, Auxiliary Member

Mary L. LeBlanc, Clerk

Absent: Angela M. Thoman-Miller

T. Sol. Diony Garcia, Esq. (arrived 9:36 a.m.)

SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Led by Jason Abate

2. CONSENT CALENDAR

Regular Meeting – May 8, 2025

Motion by Mr. Iacoi, Seconded by Mr. Abate, 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. LICENSES AND PERMITS

a. New

Inside Entertainment

Westerly Sound LLC

dba: Dawnlands 38-40 High St

Present: Sean Spellman, Owner, Westerly Sound LLC

Mr. Spellman explained that the Town has granted one-time event licenses, but he is now seeking an annual inside entertainment license to hold more live music events. He stated that the events have been successful, that there haven’t been any noise complaints, and that most events end at 10:30 p.m.

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

Motion by Mr. Nigrelli, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, to move to Item 5 – Public Hearings at this time. (Voted Unanimously)

Amusements

Paddle Surf RI – New Location 311 Atlantic Ave

Surf School, Paddle Board Rentals

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

b. Renewals

Coin Operated Devices

Atlantic Beach Park (20) 321 Atlantic Ave

Motion by Mr. Iacoi, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

Motel/Hotels/Guest Houses

Blue Whale Inn (1-6) 54 Winnapaug Rd

Motion by Mr. Nigrelli, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

c. One-Time Events

Wedding Reception Fireworks

Lauren DiStefano/ Weekapaug Inn 25 Spray Rock Rd

June 14, 2025 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

Juneteenth Celebration Wilcox Park Gazebo

Leslie Dunn on behalf of Westerly Anti Racism Coalition

June 19, 2025 10 am – 2 pm

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Abate, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

Watch Hill Sunset Concerts

David M. Turano/Knickerbocker Music Center Watch Hill Green

June 24, 2025 6 pm – 8 pm Bay Street

July 8 & 22, 2025 6 pm – 8 pm

August 5, 19, 2025 6 pm – 8 pm

(Rain Dates July 1, 15, 29 & Aug 12 & 26, 2025)

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

Drive-In Movies - A

Misquamicut Business Association 316 Atlantic Ave

June 14,15,21,22,28 & 29, 2025

July 2,3, & 4, 2025

6 pm – 11 pm

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

Drive-In Movies - B

Misquamicut Business Association 316 Atlantic Ave

July 5,6,7,10,11,12,13,14,17,18,19,20,21 & 24,2025

6 pm – 11 pm

Motion by Mr. Nigrelli, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

Drive-In Movies - C

Misquamicut Business Association 316 Atlantic Ave

July 25,27,28 & 31, 2025

Aug 1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10,13 & 14, 2025

6 pm – 11 pm

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Abate, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

Drive-In Movies - D

Misquamicut Business Association 316 Atlantic Ave

Aug 15,16,17,20,21,22,23,24,27,28,29,30 & 31, 2025

Sept 6, 2025

6 pm – 11 pm

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

Flock Theatre – “Much Ado About Nothing” Performance

Flock Theatre/ Victor Chiburis Wilcox Park

June 26, 27, 28, 29, 2025 July 3, 5, 6, 2025

7 pm – 9:30 pm

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

July 4^th Fireworks and Cookout

Misquamicut Club/Philip Koretski 60 Ocean View Hwy

July 4, 2025 6 pm – 11 pm

(Rain Date July 5, 2025)

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

Beach Ball Bash with Fireworks

Ocean House LLC/ Nathan Venne 2 Bluff Ave

July 5, 2025 7 pm – 10 pm

(Rain Date July 6, 2025)

Motion by Mr. Nigrelli, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

Tunes on the Dunes

Town of Westerly 365 Atlantic Ave

July 7,9,14,16,21,23,28,30, 2025

Aug 4, 6,11,13, 2025

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

Dembowski Brink Rehearsal Dinner 4 Margin Street

Margin Street Inn/Sarah Cooper

June 20, 2025 5 pm – 10 pm

Motion by Mr. Nigrelli, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

Alden/Leavitt Rehearsal Dinner & Welcome Party 4 Margin Street

Margin Street Inn/ Sarah Cooper

June 27, 2025 6 pm – 10:30 pm

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

Magic in the Park

Westerly Recreation Dept. Cimalore Field

July 31, 2025 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Mr. Abate recused himself due to a possible conflict of business being that he is a member of the Board of Recreation.

Motion by Mr. Nigrelli, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (So Voted 4 to 0 – Mr. Abate recused)

Kite Event – 3^rd Annual

Misquamicut Business Association Wuskenau Beach

Sept 6, 2025 11 am – 3 pm

Motion by Mr. Nigrelli, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

d. Ratify & Confirm

One Time Events

Drive-In Movies - A

Misquamicut Business Association 316 Atlantic Ave

May 24, 25, 26, 2025 & June 7, 8, 2025

6 pm – 11 pm

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Mr. Nigrelli,, that the action of the Town Clerk in granting the aforesaid license be ratified and confirmed. (Voted Unanimously)

Oceanside Outlaws Youth Football Game Westerly High School

Oceanside Outlaws Youth Football/John Kolesa Football Field

June 1, 2025 8 am - 6 pm

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Abate, that the action of the Town Clerk in granting the aforesaid license be ratified and confirmed. (Voted Unanimously)

Rotary of Westerly Scholarship Fundraiser Dinner 119 High St.

Rotary Club of Westerly Foundation/Jennifer Brinton

June 7, 2025 6 pm – 10 pm

Motion by Mr. Iacoi, Seconded by Mr. Nigrelli, that the action of the Town Clerk in granting the aforesaid license be ratified and confirmed. (Voted Unanimously)

Annual Firefighter’s Memorial Parade

Westerly Fire Department Union, Granite, Grove St

June 8, 2025 9 – 11 am Main & Union St.

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the action of the Town Clerk in granting the aforesaid license be ratified and confirmed. (Voted Unanimously)

Class F-1 (All Alcoholic Beverage)

Rotary of Westerly Scholarship Fundraiser Dinner 119 High St.

Rotary Club of Westerly Foundation/Jennifer Brinton

June 7, 2025 6 pm – 10 pm

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Abate, that the action of the Town Clerk in granting the aforesaid license be ratified and confirmed. (Voted Unanimously)

5. PUBLIC HEARINGS

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Mr. Nigrelli, that the Public Hearing be opened. (Voted Unanimously)

a. Class C Beverage License - New

Westerly Sound LLC

dba: Dawnlands 38-40 High St

Present: Sean Spellman, Owner, Westerly Sound LLC

No one appeared in favor or in opposition.

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)

Motion by Mr. Iacoi, Seconded by Mr. Abate, that the Public Hearing be closed. (Voted Unanimously)

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp , to revert to Item #4a – Licensing and Permits – Amusements. (Voted Unanimously)

6. ORDERED ADVERTISED FOR PUBLIC HEARING

None

7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

8. NEW BUSINESS

None

9. COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS

a. Correspondence

1. Letter sent to all Liquor Licensed Establishments – re: Request for accurate drawing of licensed premises to include outdoor area where alcoholic beverages are to be served and stored

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the aforesaid correspondence be accepted and placed on file. (Voted Unanimously)

b. Town Solicitor Report

None

10. ANY OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD

a. Surf Cantina Indoor Entertainment License – Mr. Nigrelli reported that an agreement was made with the establishment that all doors, excluding the outside vestibule door, be closed at 10:00 p.m. during the time of entertainment. He stated that the doors are closed at 10:00 p.m.; however, the entertainment starts at 8:00 p.m., and that the entertainment is very loud. He stated that the residents of Martin House will be asking the Licensing Board to address their concerns.

11. ADJOURNMENT

10:00 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.