1.     9:31 A.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

Present:   Paul Gencarella Jr., Chair

                 Stephen J. Iacoi

                 Jason Abate, Auxiliary Member

                 T. Sol. Mario Martone, Esq.

                 Mary L. LeBlanc, Clerk

 

 Absent:   Joseph M. Nigrelli, Jr. Vice Chair

                 Angela M. Thoman-Miller

                        Jaime Przekop Vorenkamp

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Led by

 

 

2.     CONSENT CALENDAR

 

Regular Meeting – January 8, 2026

 

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

 

     None

 

b.    Renewals

 

                        None

 

c.     One-Time Events

 

Chocolate Stroll

Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce                      Downtown Westerly

Feb. 12, 2026  5:30 pm – 8:30 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)

 

Bowlathon Fundraiser

Jonnycake Center of Westerly                                           116 Granite St

Mar. 8, 2026  1 pm – 4 pm

(Event rescheduled from January 25, 2026 due to inclement weather)

 

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

 

Fun Times @ The Space (4 Events)

The Space/Jeremy Buhler                                                 38-40 High St

Mar. 26, 2026 & April 15 & 30, 2026 & May 28, 2026

6:30 pm – 9 pm

 

Representative:  Jeremy Buhler, co-owner, The Space

 

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

 

Annual Pawcatuck River Duck Race

Ocean Community Chamber Foundation                          Bridge Downtown

April 26, 2026  11:30 pm – 3:00 pm

 

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

 

Surftown Half Marathon, Relay & 5K

Hartford Marathon Foundation/Matt Anderson                  311 Atlantic Ave

Sept 12, 2026  5 pm – 9 pm

Sept 13, 2026  4 am – 12 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)

 

Catch a Curl Youth Surf Classic & Beach Cleanup

New England Science and Sailing                                     365 Atlantic Ave

Sept. 19, 2026   9 am – 3 pm

(Rain date Sept. 20, 2026)

 

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

 

Class F Liquor (Beer & Wine) (4 Events)

Fun Times @ The Space

The Space/Jeremy Buhler                                                 38-40 High St

Mar. 26, 2026 & April 15 & 30, 2026 & May 28, 2026

6:30 pm – 9 pm

 

Present:  Jeremy Buhler, co-owner, The Space

 

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid Class F Liquor License for four events be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

d.    Ratify & Confirm

 

               Westerly High School Class of 2028 Fundraiser               32 Pleasant St

               Carmela Sammataro/Class advisor

               Feb. 7, 2026  5 pm – 9 pm

 

Motion by Mr. Iacoi, 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. Iacoi, that the Public Hearing be opened.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

a.      Victualer Extended Hours (2:00 am to 6:00 pm)

RI Guys Donuts Corporation

                  dba: RI Guys Donuts                                                       224 Post Rd

 

               Present:  Ryan Zeolla, representing RI Guys Donuts Corporation

 

     Mr. Zeolla stated that the business will be open from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. seven days a week.  He stated that he hopes to open the first week of March.

 

     No one appeared in favor or in opposition.

 

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

 

 

6.     ORDERED ADVERTISED FOR PUBLIC HEARING

 

               None

 

 

7.     UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

        CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING (From 12/11/2025)

 

a.      Class B-Limited (Beer & Wine) Beverage License – NEW

TNT Tacos n Tacos LLC

   dba: TNT Tacos n Tacos                                                22-24 Pierce Street

 

               Present:  Daniel Santiago Juarez, Owner, TNT Tacos n Tacos LLC

 

     Chair Gencarella stated that he visited the establishment and that the majority of the business is takeout service but there are five or six tables for patrons to dine inside and, at times, a patron will request a beer or a glass of wine with their meal.  He stated that there is an office where the liquor would be stored and locked.  He stated that he took into consideration the objections expressed by a neighbor at the prior hearing and suggested a three-month probationary liquor license with another hearing scheduled before the probationary license expires.  He noted that the probationary license could also be extended for another three-month period.  

 

     Town Solicitor Martone stated that this is a Class B-Limited License application for the sale of beer and wine and that the Licensing Board has the right to grant a probationary license for a particular time period with another hearing scheduled before the probationary license expires and can also set conditions on the license. 

 

      The following individuals were present and spoke in opposition to the proposed ordinance: Jennifer Scharbach, 23 Pierce St – concerned with a liquor licensed establishment in a residential neighborhood and the possibility of having a bar; Paul Fedele, 23 Pierce St - concerned with a liquor licensed establishment in a residential neighborhood

 

     Mr. Juarez stated that the main operation of his business is the sale of food, not to operate a bar.

 

     No one appeared in favor.

 

Motion by Mr. Abate , Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that a 90-day probationary Class B-Limited Beverage license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities with the conditions that any and all beer and wine be consumed indoors on premise only, that the liquor license cannot be leased or assigned, that any changes to any business plan come before the board for consideration, and that all servers be tipped certified.    (Voted Unanimously)

 

     Chair Gencarella stated, for the record, that Mr. Juarez has provided documents showing that the business has a tip-certified server.

 

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the main motion be amended that the 90-day probationary license to expire on May 15, 2026 and that this matter be continued to the May 14, 2026 Licensing Board meeting.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

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

 

 

8.     NEW BUSINESS

 

               None

 

 

9.     COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS

 

a.    Correspondence

 

                 None

 

b.    Town Solicitor Report

 

                 None

 

 

10.  ADJOURNMENT

 

        10:38 A.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

        

 

     Details of the aforesaid proceedings are video streamed and available on the Town of Westerly website.