8.20.2025 Licensing Board

board uh meeting Wednesday, February 20, 2025 at 5:00 pm will come to order. Reckon my name is attorney Greg Brain. I'm the chairman. To my right is Michael Pereira, board member. I have to make the uh statement that we only have two board members tonight. So that means any any decision has to be unanimous. Um so therefore, we we will give you the option of whether or not you want to

withdraw tonight and come before a full board at our next regularly scheduled meeting. Um, so if anybody would like to withdraw, you know, they can let me know now. Well, not even withdraw. It'll be tabled. Um, you can let me know now and you can leave. Um, if nobody uh wants to entertain that, wants to go forward, we we will proceed. Attorney Frank, uh, I'm going to take one out of order here.

We're going to take uh uh well, first of all, sorry, have to meet this open read this open meeting law uh notice. Open meeting law. Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make a audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit the meeting through any media. Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings are transmission are being made whether perceived or unproceived by those

present and are deemed acknowledged and permissible. The city charter section 9-18 mandates that all multiple member bodies develop and adopt rules or policy for public comment. We have adopted such a policy which in short provides for citizens input on license and board specific matters at the beginning of the meeting. There is a signup sheet that is located in the back of the room. Do we have anybody?

No.

Okay.

All right. Now we will call the meeting to order and I'm going to take out of order uh item five uh four new alcohol common victulum uh Taste of Paradise LLC 1335 Pleasant Street Ronald Renee. Um good evening Mr. Chairman, members of the board, Madame Clerk, Detective Monus, for the record, my name is Arthur Frank. I'm a lawyer with an address of 209 Bedford Street, Forward, Massachusetts. With me tonight is uh

Ronald Reie. He's the principal of Taste of Paradise LLC. Um and he has informed me, and I believe that the chair has confirmed this that he's in the middle of some renovations. He's about 3 weeks out from completing them and having them inspected by code inspection. Uh it would seem to me, Mr. chair that the the best practice would be to continue this until the next meeting. Uh that way he

can get squared away with the building inspector's office.

I did I did speak with Glenn Hathaway today and he uh recommended that that in fact be the case because no one had gone back out there to to look at anything that has been done. Not saying that any that it's not all done, not all done correctly, but there's been no um request to go back there and and check out what has been done. So, um, I will entertain a motion that we, uh, table

this to until our next regularly scheduled meeting.

Uh, motion made to table this to our regular schedule.

Second. Any questions on the motion?

Hearing? None. All those in favor? I.

All those opposed.

Minister. Okay. Good luck. Have a nice night.

Um, I'm also This is tabled St. Michael School. Uh, we'll now go the regular agenda. Uh, article one, one day permits. St. Michael School has requested that their um application be tabled. Could I entertain a motion to table St. Michael School one day liquor permit? Motion. Uh I'll second that motion. Questions on the motion? All those in favor?

All those opposed? That will be tabled.

Uh second one day liquor permit is for the Liberal Club Holy uh Holy Ghost Feast of Trinidad, 20 Star Street, Kevin Palmer.

Could you could you gentlemen please state your name for the record?

My name's Kevin Palmer.

35 President Avenue, Fall River.

Paul DeForge, 21 Tucker Street, Fall River.

Okay, gentlemen. Um, you're here. I I assume this is the annual feast.

Yes.

Um, Labor Day weekend, which has gone on for a number of years. Um, 42 42 years. 42.

Uh it looks like the only changes so to speak are you're looking for a 1 hour extension of hours on is that on the Saturday night?

No, it would be Sunday. It's actually two hours. Our license you granted us uh to 10:00 a.m.

We changed it a few months ago. 10 p.m.

I'm sorry. Uh we'd like to stay open till 12.

12. Okay. It says 1 hour, but but it is 12 12 a.m. or 12 midnight.

Yeah. So it'll be an extension of 2 hours.

Okay. Obviously, you gentlemen know the requirements relative to the police details. You've done it for 42 years.

Um, I don't have any issues with it, Mr.

Pereira.

No, no, um, I'll entertain the hours if you don't mind.

Thank you.

Yep.

Apologize. So, it's it's going to be from on 8:29, 2025 from 6:00 p. a.m. to 1000 p.m.

No, the 12.

I'm I'm What hours am I stating? You want it from them?

Yeah. The hours that they're requesting for each day.

Okay. This each day. Sorry.

Yeah.

No, that's not that.

Just the one day for Saturday, Sunday inside.

What's Friday is under your normal license?

Yes. So, what what are those hours?

The feast will be operating 6 to 10.

6 to 10.

The club on Friday's license goes to 10 to one.

Two. Yes. To 1:00.

Okay. So, the feast itself, the one day will be 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. on uh Friday, Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 10 p.m.

And on Sunday, 11:30 a.m., you want to increase that to 12 midnight?

Yes.

Okay, sounds good.

Okay, thank you.

Can I entertain that motion? All right.

Well, what what what do we have here then? What's B?

That is B. It just they didn't have the hours in. No to Sunday till around 8:30 1:25 midnight is the interior of the building. They're requesting to keep it open as long as the feast is going outside.

Liberal hours the feast will close at 10 and we want to keep open until 12 on Sunday. We have our indoor licenses until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday which we're not changing.

We just want to extend two hours on Sunday.

All right. So, I'll make that motion to adopt that.

I'll second that motion. Any questions on the motion? Hearing none. All those in favor? All those opposed.

Thank you, gentlemen. All second.

Thank you.

All right. Have a nice day. Article two, common victuel.

Yes.

Hopefully I didn't do too bad a job on your name. I apologize if I messed it up.

Could you please state your name and address for the record, please?

Nine of 595 Grenell Street.

Uh, I'm I'm Jed Male. Business address.

Your address?

Yeah. My address?

Yes.

595 Grand.

Okay.

Forever.

All right. So, you're looking to operate a pizza establishment?

Yes.

On 752 Brighton Avenue.

Correct.

Yeah. What is presently there?

Uh, it's he know had a um managed visa for so so many years. He have a good experience and his one of his dream that he own a pizza shop instead that he working with someone. So finally his dream coming through and I've been here is 20 years. I work maybe 10 years in pizza shop.

Nice.

Yeah, we've been here 20 years immigrant.

Where where is it? Where where is it?

I'm sorry I didn't go.

Where is it? I Rhode Island. I work No, no, no. Where is this location on Brighton Avenue? Whereabouts? Uh next uh India food is open new one is it's the old it's across the street from Jefferson Street in Boulder.

It's it's the existing one they used to have the restaurant already.

Yes.

Okay. All right.

Chinese.

And what is your hours of operation from?

Uh we open 11 to 9.

11 to 9 every day.

Yes.

Seven days a week.

No, I open six days. I close Sunday.

You close Sunday? six days a week. Okay.

All right. Um, anybody out there in favor of this petition? Anybody opposed?

I'll entertain a motion.

Well, you I'd like to say something.

Okay. Right ahead.

So, we're going to help you fulfill the American dream here today. That was your dream to have that and we're fulfilling that today. Congratulations.

Thank you.

Okay. Thank you.

We promise a fresh and delicious and nice. Okay.

I'll make the motion to help you with that.

Thank you, everyone. I'll second that motion. Any questions on a motion hearing? None. All those in favor?

I.

All those opposed.

Good luck.

All set.

Okay. Thank you.

Nas Halal Food 167 Broadway. Husan Ali.

I know who this one is.

Hello.

Could you please state your name for the record please?

Uh my name is Ephesus Elli. Uh 265 Montgomery Street, Fall River. And our business address is 167 Broadway Fiverr.

Okay.

And my name is Mariam. I'm his wife and we both are planning to run this business together.

Okay. What type of business is it if you don't mind me asking?

What kind of food?

Fast food.

It's the fast food like 30% of Middle Eastern and you can say 70% of like American food like uh all the sandwiches and sandwiches. Gyros.

Okay.

Rice platters.

What What are your hours of operation?

It's going to be uh 11 to 2 11:00 a.m.

to 2 2 a.m.

Till 2 a.m. in that plaza.

Okay.

7 days a week.

Yeah.

Yes.

Okay.

That was favorable favorable recommendation from the um the chief. Um anybody out there in favor? Anybody opposed? Any questions from the board?

Uh hearing none, I'll entertain a motion to grant this petition.

Motion made.

I'll second them. I'll second that motion. All any questions on the motion hearing and none. All those in favor?

I.

All those opposed. All set. All good.

Good luck. Good luck.

Thank you.

Okay.

C. Chick-fil-A incororated. 550 William Cany William S. Cany Boulevard.

Alexandria Mayo.

Hi.

Could you please state your name for the record?

Uh, Alexandria Mayo.

Um, I got to assume what is this? This a late filing? They're there.

What do you mean?

Is it Is it for What's it What's it Is it No, no, no. It's a change of ownership.

Oh, okay. I'm sorry. I apologize. I apologize. Um could could you please tell me then what you're here for? I was wondering because I knew they were already in existence.

There was a franchisee and we're just going to Inc. for the time being until another franchisee um local ownership comes in. Um so I will be there in the middle of that.

Yeah.

Okay. I've been there. I've been there many times.

You went up to Chick-fil-A? Oh, Chick-fil-A. All right. Yeah.

Yeah. I've been there. I go there a lot.

Stop by. Tell them you know Alex.

I like it. I I first got used to going to Chick-fil-A cuz it's right near my house in in Florida. I go constantly.

Then when I came here, I used to go to Secon. Then when I came to Forever, I go to Fall River, right across the street now.

But um so nothing's changing.

Nothing's changing.

Nothing changed. Hours of operation.

Okay. Um anybody in the audience in favor of this petition? Anybody opposed?

Um we have a favorable police report. Uh recommendation from the from the chief.

Um questions from the board hearing none. Uh Miss Per entertain a motion.

My motion made and I will second that motion. All those in favor? I. All those opposed. All set.

Thank you guys. Have a great night.

Thank you.

Entertainment license. A.

Soabi restaurant bar and lounge 915 County Street adder.

Please state your name and address for the record.

25 Kimber Road Center and Attorney Eric Hargreaves for Assabi Restaurant Bar and Lounge at 915 County Street.

Attorney Hogre. How are you?

I'm well. How are you?

Good. Um, entertainment license I see you have checked off on here.

Live music, recorded music, karoki.

um Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. And what are your hours of operation right now?

Uh so they're going to be when the restaurant opens 11 uh 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 to 1:45 on Friday and Saturday.

Um I got some calls on this, just so you know, okay, from some some very worried neighbors.

Okay. Okay. I mean, Oills was Oills and and it definitely was in that, you know, in that residential zone and and unfortunately, for whatever reason, and I don't I wasn't on the board, but they sold their parking lot a couple years back and somebody built a three family house, so they don't even have much pocket.

Mhm.

And some of the neighbors who called me said they were very worried about what was going to happen because it does appear to be a rather big change.

Portuguese Little Restaurant, I don't think they're open very late to to this now. And I'm not saying that they they they they're mad or it but but they are very concerned. Um I'm only going to speak for myself. You haven't opened yet.

And and I'm not trying to not have be able that you have do business.

This is just me. I'm not speaking for Mr. Pereira.

I personally would like to see you get open, start to run it for a little bit, make sure everything's good up there with the new owners, everything's compatible with the neighborhood, and then allow you to have like live music.

You want to have a a jukebox or whatever they do. Not I don't I don't go out very much and I'm old, whatever. It's I don't know. See what I mean? I don't know. I don't know. Sorry about that. But I used to go to the port the the Chinese restaurants where they had the little things on the wall you could do and put music. Um, but anyhow, I would personally like to see that.

It's nothing against you. I hope you do well.

Um, but just get a little bit a little bit, you know, little bit of time. So, we know everything's going to be okay over there. The new ownership before, especially the live music.

Yeah. When do you plan to open? Sure.

So, that's dependent on the approval of the other licenses that we have pending, but our hope is in the next month or so.

So, I I think uh Mr. brilliant hit the nail on the head. That neighborhood was used to having a Portuguese restaurant, which it was fine. It was never any issues. You know, parking was always a little tight, but they had their park and spice over there. I've been there a million times, you know, in my life. But what if that transitions into a nightclub?

Mhm.

With with live with bands.

And that's going to be I think that'll be a major issue in that neighborhood. I mean like a successful nightclub like people 100 200 deep in there and and they're coming they're rolling out of there after been drinking for a couple hours and you know we we have we don't have many clubs in Fall River. We we've had them. We've we've dealt with them.

We've shut them down actually a couple times. But people when when they're when they're you know they got a little bit of buzz on and they're leaving, they're talking loud. They're hanging out in the parking lots or they're hanging out in the street with their friends talking about where they're going to go next.

And then you got some poor bugger who uh lives in a second floor apartment, is going to get up from work tomorrow, his kids from school, and he's being woken up at uh, you know, 2:00 in the morning because of these people are uh, you know, they're not committing crimes or anything, but they're having fun, but it's going to disturb the neighborhood.

I mean, you got to really think about when you came in front of us for to open the store, what did we say? We're very pro business. We want you to be successful there, but we don't we can't have you disturbing that neighborhood.

It's a peaceful neighborhood. And and I mean, right? I mean, the Greg I mean, that's what the people the people were just very very anxious about what's going to happen. That's why I'm just giving you my point of view. It's always been a peaceful.

I would just like to see if can we get it open? Can we get it going for a little bit and then and I'm not going to deny it. I I'd like to to make whether it's tabled or come back another date.

I was just going to request to the board perhaps we could table the application for today. um get the restaurant open and then we can come back with our plan for addressing the concerns that the board has expressed tonight uh and you can review the application with that supplemental information.

You know, we just we just had another person down the south end neighbors are complaining because the loud music they had it we tried to work with them shut down earlier, you know, because they're in the residential neighborhood, too.

And it's it's just it's difficult in Forever. I mean, I there's no doubt about it. You got all three families. It wasn't your choice. O Gills has been there for a number of years. You bought it. I get it. But we just can't have it turn into a major nightclub for parking, for noise, you know what I mean?

And there are strategies we can do. We can work with you. I mean, there's maybe not stay open with the band till two, stay open, close it down at noon, I mean, excuse me, at noon, midnight or something like that. There's things we can work with you, develop a plan, but I mean, I tell you right now, I'm not going to support a a a live music in that neighborhood till 2:00 in the

morning. I'm not going to. So, yeah. Uh, we respect I want I don't want to say no to you either. I want I want to work with you. I we want to just see I would like to see you get up and running.

Show that the neighborhood that you're going to have a respectful establishment. There's no issues even with the restaurant change cuz it's going to change. Oak Gills was a same people went there every Friday, Saturday and every day. I mean it was just a a neighborhood crowd per se. Not just that neighborhood but they had their regular. This is going to be different and I do wish you luck.

Okay. But and I don't want to say no but I just would like to have some time for this. Sure. Yeah, we were unaware of of the concerns that have been expressed to the board and I think in light of that and the concerns that the board has raised, we'd like to table this so that we can come back with uh you know, a plan to address those issues for the board to consider.

Get open. Get open. Meet the neighbors.

You know, they'll see you're a good businessman, not getting any problems, and I think you'd be okay.

When do you suggest they come back?

Well, he said, you think you're going to be ready next month or two months? I'd like to be say hold it. Hold it for two. I think at least two and then let us know. If he's not open, call Carrie and we'll we'll bump it another month for you.

That would be great.

Okay.

You're my best friend.

We talk all the time.

That would be great. Thank you.

Okay. I I'll entertain a motion at the table.

A motion.

I will second that motion. All those in favor? All those opposed.

Good luck. Okay.

Taste the paradise. It was already done.

Now we have a class two uh Melo's Collision and Custom LLC at 96 Alden Street. Christopher Melo.

Can you please state your name for the record?

My name is Christopher Melo. I live on 317 Hancock Street in Tivetan. The business resides at 96 Alton Street in Fall River.

What's at the business now, Mr. Melo? Is it is it a collision center now? Yeah, I used to was uh previously Maderas Auto Body in Sales on Alden Street and uh I just purchased it five months ago and um he used to have uh the class 2 as well.

So I you know I figured I'd try to transfer it over to try to uh yeah try to make some extra revenue for the shop.

I thought so so obviously this is not not so much a transfer of it like because we don't deal with the auto body, right? That's city council.

Okay. He's already got that squared away. I assume that's all squared away. Okay. And and how many cars are you looking for, Mr.

Melo?

Uh, probably two to three.

Do you know how many cars was the prior license by any chance?

I would assume it would be it was more than that. He would buy and sell more than I intend to, but why don't you ask for a number that makes sense according to the lot size so you don't jip yourself with if you want to have five and you only said three.

Yeah. Right. I mean, yeah. Based on the lot size, I'd feel comfortable like five to seven.

So, you want to say seven? Always go the higher.

Seven's good.

Okay. Looks like he's this the little draft. He's got parking. I assume there's parking behind the It says a locked gate. I assume that's where you put the cars that you're working on over there.

Yeah, it's the So, the the lot is L-shaped. So, the shop is on the the long way and then the back lot and the back gate is just all parking, but it has its own separate entrance off of Flint Street with a gated lot.

Okay. And where are you going to put where are you going to show the cars for sale? Flint Street.

No, it would be on Alden Street.

Okay.

Right in that small parking area. That parking area would only fit like two or three cars, but I have that whole I have the whole lot in the back that could I could I know. So, you have enough cars. Do you work You have enough room for the cars you're working on, right?

Correct.

And you want to put there's enough room for how many in the front that you're going to show?

I could show like three at a time.

Okay. And you want to have a couple extras somewhere in the back? somewhere in the back if they're not worked if they're not ready yet or if they're going to be worked on, waiting on parts, stuff like that.

All right. So, these are cars that you're bringing in that are wrecked, so to speak, or salvage titles.

Yeah. Find cars that are decent deals and, you know, paint them in shop and then just sell them to, you know, the community and whoever needs them.

All right.

Well, I I mean, and and and what Kerry said is accurate. You always want to ask for what you can, but I think I'm gonna I'm going to be more apt to say five because you say you can fit three, right?

And then you can have two extras in the back. And if and if down the line, Mr.

Mel, if it comes back that you need more room or you come up with more room in the front, come back and see us. Okay, sounds good.

Um but I I I I'm going to I'll entertain a motion to grant the um the class 2 license for five vehicles at this time um at for Melo's Collision and Custom LLC, 96 Alden Street.

A motion made his hours.

Oh, apologize. What are going to be your hours for the sales?

Uh the sales would be uh 8 to 4:30 Monday through Friday.

No Saturdays?

No. The shop itself is open on Saturdays, but I don't plan on selling on Saturdays.

But why don't you just just in case somebody Yeah, we can match the hours later.

What's What's the opposite of the shop?

7:30 to 5:30 and uh Saturday is 7:30 to 1.

Okay. So, we we'll we'll mirror we'll mirror those hours. 7 7:30 to 5:30 Monday through Friday and 7:30 to 1 on Saturday.

Yes, sir.

All right.

Sounds good to me. All right. Need another motion to do that?

Yeah, just motion to incorporate everything we just discussed.

Yeah, I'll make a motion to incorporate those hours and your in the five uh five vehicles for now. Okay.

No objection from the from the chief of police. So, everything looks to be in order. Um I'll second that motion.

Questions on the motion?

All those in favor? All those opposed?

Motion granted. Mr. Mel, good luck. Did your dad do this for a living?

My dad? No.

Oh, okay.

No, unfortunately. No. I used to go.

He's just super He's just supervisors.

Okay.

That's what dads are for.

Thank you guys.

Um, now what do we got to do? Sign and prove the minutes.

This guy's coming back in. Come on.

I'm sorry, guys. Just one more time.

I have a She help me with this, but I think she Okay.

I I know exactly what you're saying. I can't do anything until Monday.

Yeah, I know what you're talking about.

Yes.

Okay.

I'll take care of it. I'll call you tomorrow morning when I get in.

Thank you. You're welcome.

I mean, if somebody wants to come here Friday night at Friday at 6:00, I'll do it.

No, I'm holding I can't do it. What do you say?

You already signed these. Uh, entertain a motion to adjurnn. Motion second. All those in favor, all those opposed.

All good.