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2002-11-07Beverly License Board Regular Meeting November 7, 2002 BEVERLY LICENSE BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 7, 2002 The regular meeting of the Beverly License Board was held on Thursday evening, November 7, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber. All members were present: Richard S. Kelley, Chairman, George Heller and Ronald Ranta, Esquire. Lt. Roccio of the Beverly Police Department was also present Crystal Atherton, Clerk, took the Minutes of the meeting. Chairman Kelley called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. First Agenda item: Status of The New Commodore Restaurant License? 1. Thomas Alexander, Attorney for Not Your Average Joe’s, appeared on behalf of his client to explain to the License Board the status of the license at the location at 45 Enon Street. The License transfer to Not Your Average Joe’s has not yet been approved by the ABCC. Alexander explained that the removal of hazardous waste from the old Commodore site was taking longer than anticipated. This has slowed down their planned opening. They expect to be in the building in January and be able to open by late March or early April. Chair Kelley expressed concern that licensees are expected to have their license in use for the public and cannot hold onto licenses indefinitely. Alexander stated that his client has entered into a Lease of the property and expects to open at that location as quickly as possible. Board will monitor this matter. 2. The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED: to approve the Minutes of October 10, 2002. 3. Madison Grill, 208 Rantoul Street, Beverly, MA 01915/ Police Complaints relative to the Licensee. Beverly License Board Regular Meeting November 7, 2002 Attorney Jack Altshuler appeared for his client, the Madison Grill. Also appearing before the Board on behalf of Madison Grill was the Manager, Neil Howard. There have been numerous police reports relative to complaints of the activity taking place at Madison Grill during the past several months. Attorney Altshuler stated that the Madison Grill had initially intended to be primarily a restaurant but with the downturn of the economy and the impact of 9/11 that it has been necessary for his client to find new avenues of revenue. This they have done by introducing entertainment, which has brought in a different crowd of people. Altshuler stated that his client had recently hired five new security guards to take care of the problems that have arisen and to weed out the troublemakers that have been causing these incidents. According to Altshuler there has been no complaints since they hired these people. Lt. Roccio of the Police Department agreed that the complaints have been down in the past couple of months since the security people have been put in place, however, he also opined as to whether that may have more to do with the weather than the actions taken by the license holder. Altshuler said that many of the complaints are for incidents that have taken place outside the establishment, on the sidewalk or in automobiles. He contends that his client cannot be held responsible for actions of people outside of the building however, Altshuler said he and his client were very much aware of the responsibility that goes with holding a liquor license in the City and expect that there will be no more problems. Bill Gates, the Manager of the Franco-American Club and a former police officer complained to the Board that Madison Grill customers use their parking lot and several vehicles are being towed weekly. Also, that there has been damage to vehicles (broken glass in windshields) in this parking lot from bottles thrown from the deck of the Madison Grill. Altshuler stated that the deck was only being used in the summer months and that right now the customers only go out on the deck for air or for a smoke, and that his client has hired security guards and is trying to bring back the restaurant business. Chair Kelly warned Madison Grill’s manager and his attorney that the Board takes these police reports very seriously and that it appears from these reports that the business is attracting a crowd that does not seem to care about the ramifications of their acts. The Chair warned that these people do not care about your license. Gates states that he is very concerned with the vandalism, which was taking, place in the parking lot, especially Thursday nights, which he said, was the worst. Mr. Ranta suggested that the Board monitor this situation and have a review in four months. “At this time, I would not recommend suspension as the problems are not entirely their fault (Madison Grills)”. The employees need to communicate with the Manager so that he can address all complaints. There should be no liquor allowed Beverly License Board Regular Meeting November 7, 2002 outside on the deck at all. This will alleviate the problem of glass containers being thrown into the parking lot. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED: that a review of this entire matter concerning police complaints of the activity at Madison Grill will be scheduled for a four-month review at the February 2003 meeting and that Madison Grill will allow no liquor on the deck during this period. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED: to grant a one-day liquor license to Cape Ann Waldorf School to be exercised at the Annual Fund Dance at the Hastings House from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on November 9, 2002. The next monthly meeting of the Board will be held on December 18, 2002 beginning at 2:15 p.m. at which time all Beverly License holders will be able to pick up their 2003 Licenses Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously, VOTED: to adjourn . Respectfully submitted, Crystal Atherton, Clerk