Author Archives: ldna

License Commission Meeting

Liquor license pulled for 2 days
Jen Meyers has details of the meeting. As always thanks Jen!

This is one of those times when you get to give credit where credit is due.
Once-upon-a-time…seems like 100 years ago I wrote this about a License Commission meeting.

I was still at work last night and listening on LTC and all-the-while thinking that this incident at the Trainview was 1. well documented 2. well investigated 3. well represented at the meeting 4. treated appropriately and fairly by the License Commission 5. The manager in charge was honest about the events of that evening.

I am not lawyer but I thought the Commissioner’s where very cautious to seperate the individual charges and made their decisions based on the law pertaining to each. In the end the Commissioner’s suspended the license for 7 days…the Trainview will be closed May -2, a Tuesday and Wednesday with the remaining days suspended for 1 year (just in case they have another incident). Hardly a harsh punishment; more of a warning to comply with the law.

LICENSE COMMISSION MEETING THURSDAY

Update: The Village Smokehouse has been granted a continuance to a date to be determined. The Smokehouse issue will not be heard on March 22.

The next License Commission Meeting Thursday, March 22, 6:30 PM, Council Chamber, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St.

Some items regarding downtown:

7. Request by Atty. George C. Eliades, Jr., dated March 16, 2012, to continue hearing on the allegations of misconduct as charged by Kenneth E. Lavallee, Superintendent of Police, against The Middle Street Village, Inc., d/b/a The Village Smokehouse, all alcoholic beverages Restaurant licensee at 92-98 Middle Street – sales of alcoholic beverages to two (2) intoxicated patrons the morning of February 4, 2012.

9. Communication from Christine O’Connor, City Solicitor, re City Council endorsement of revised rules and regulations of the City of Lowell License Commission governing the sale of alcoholic beverages.

10. Motions of Commissioner Raymond Weicker, to wit:
A motion to review the fees associated with licenses in the City of Lowell.
To include a comparative study, by the Executive Secretary, of Lowell compared to both surrounding towns (Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro) as well as comparable sized cities (Worcester, Springfield)
A motion to review revenue generated thru all licensed activities in the City, to include property taxes paid at any location holding any form of license issued.
A motion to table any proposed regulatory changes until such time as the Commission has received a response to the requested information from the February 2, 2012 meeting of the License Commission and had an opportunity to review same.

12. Settlement agreement effective March 1, 2012 between Econ Realty Corporation and Thomas Economou, individually, and Marev Corp. and Mark Girolamo, individually, regarding property at 197 Market St., Lowell. (This is the Dubliner, below…looks as though Majors Pub is changing location to the current Dubliner location).

13. Application by CB Enterprises Inc., d/b/a Majors Pub for change of location of license for all alcoholic beverages Restaurant from 34 Jackson St., to 197 Market St.

You can get the entire agenda at:
http://www.lowellma.gov/depts/license/agenda.2012-03-21.2946028159

The Lowell Cultural Council, Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the Cultural Organization of Lowell extend this special invitation to YOU!

Lowell Cultural Council 2012 Grant Recipients Reception

Guest Speakers:
State Senator Eileen Donoghue
and Mayor Patrick O. Murphy, City of Lowell

Thursday, March 22 6:30PM – 8PM
Lowell Telecommunications Corporation (LTC)
246 Market Street, Lowell

Please join us as we congratulate the 2012 Lowell Cultural Council (LCC) Grant Recipients at this special annual reception! Learn more about this year’s impressive local arts & culture projects and programs being funded by the LCC and meet the community groups, organizations and individuals behind them! Light refreshments and live entertainment provided.
Tto see a complete list of this year’s grant recipients and to learn more about the Lowell Cultural Council. http://www.mass-culture.org/Lowell

Lowell Cultural CouncilSuzz Cromwell c/o COOL50 Arcand Drive 2nd FloorLowell, MA 01852
primary 978/674-1484
email: lowellculturalcouncil@lowellma.gov


SPRING FORWARD! Sunday, March 11, 2012, 2:00am

Merrimack Valley Food Bank Plans Annual Spring Neighborhood Food Drive


REMINDER

There will be donation drop off locations throughout the area until Saturday, March 24, including:
Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce – 131 Merrimack ST, Lowell
Lowell City Hall – Mayor’s Office 2nd floor 375 Merrimack ST
Lowell Fire Department – Central Fire Station, 99 Moody ST
Lowell Senior Center – 276 Broadway ST
Pollard Memorial Library – 401 Merrimack ST
Carisma –1418 Middlesex St., Lowell
Middlesex Tire & Auto – 1555 Middlesex St
Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union – 1345 Lakeview AV

Downtown Demographics Myth

There is a lot being said about downtown demographics the past few days…as you might suspect it all started with a SUN story about tenants being paid to move out of complex…
http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_20103832

People who have some actual facts commented
http://mindtivo.blogspot.com/

and some opinion….
http://www.leftinlowell.com/2012/03/05/poverty-is-big-business/

You be the judge and certainly take the opportunity to add your opinion.

If you want more facts please go to the Salem State-ONE Lowell study at
http://dgl.salemstate.edu/geography/Profs/luna/projects/2010_01Spring/GPH903/LowellVoterReport2010reduced.pdf

LICENSE COMMISSION MEETING THURSDAY

Today’s SUN has an aritcle about this weeks meeting and the charges being brought against downtown establishments.

Can we be optimistic that the License Commission will deliver the approriate action for these violations? Considering the attendance at City Council special meeting we can certainly say that we encourage them to do so.

The License Commission agenda is not published as yet but they have another 5 hours to get it done before the deadline per the regulations.

Agenda for License Commission on March 08, 2012, 03:00 PM (pertinent parts)
-Corey Belanger of Major’s Pub, CB Enterprises, Inc., sound system for band, disc jockey, St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Saturday, March 17, 2012, 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., enclosed tent in front of 34 Jackson Street
Public hearing on the application for alteration of premises by The Middle Street Village Inc., d/b/a Village Smokehouse, all alcoholic beverages Restaurant licensee 92-98 Middle Street. (this is for outdoor seating)
-Hearing on the allegations of misconduct as charged by Kenneth E. Lavallee, Superintendent of Police, against J & I Restaurant Incorporated, d/b/a Fortunato’s, Yousef A. Ayyub, Manager, all alcoholic beverages Restaurant licensee at 44 Palmer Street.
-Communications/reports; From Kenneth E. Lavallee, Superintendent of Police
J & I Restaurant Incorporated, d/b/a Fortunato’s, all alcoholic beverages Restaurant licensee at 44 Palmer Street – disturbance on the licensed premises the morning of February 10, 2012, review public need in accordance with section 12 of chapter 138, MGL, to decrease hours for the sales of alcoholic beverages during the calendar week from 2:00 a.m. to 11 p.m.
-The Middle Street Village, Inc., d/b/a The Village Smokehouse, all alcoholic beverages Restaurant licensee at 92-98 Middle Street – sales of alcoholic beverages to two (2) intoxicated patrons the morning of February 4, 2012
-From Robert Marsilia, Building Commissioner, dated February 23, 2012 re: Fortunato’s/Forty Four at Fortunato’s/Club 44

Tsongas: Attacks must not lead U.S. to delay Afghan pullout


SUN story…
http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_20068813?IADID=Search-www.lowellsun.com-www.lowellsun.com

U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas and our Greg Page share their perspectives on troop withdrawal.
Greg has more on his blog
http://www.anewenglanderinlowell.blogspot.com/

http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_20068813?IADID=Search-www.lowellsun.com-www.lowellsun.com

SNOW EMERGENCY PARKING BAN

Snow Emergency – Parking Ban – is being LIFTED immediately – March 1, 2012 – 1:57 PM.