Meetings ▸ Minutes
Licenses and Permits Committee — Minutes, Mar 27, 2024
City of Somerville, Massachusetts
City Council Licenses and Permits
Committee
Meeting Minutes
6:00 PM
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
This meeting was held via Zoom, was called to order by Chair Burnley at 6:02pm and adjourned at
6:20pm with a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilors Ewen-Campen, Councilor Mbah, Chair Burnley),
none opposed, and none absent.
Others present: Trish Farnsworth – Attorney for AMF Bowling Centers, Natasha Frazier – Assistant
Clerk of Committees, Michael Potere – Licensing Operations Manager.
Roll Call
City Councilor At Large Willie Burnley Jr., City Councilor
At Large Wilfred N. Mbah and Ward Three City Councilor
Ben Ewen-Campen
Present:
1.
Approval of the Minutes of the Licenses and Permits Committee Meeting of
February 14, 2024.
Committee
Minutes
(ID # 24-0184)
ACCEPTED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At
Large Mbah and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen
AYE:
2.
New Billiards and Bowling License, Lucky Strike, 325 Revolution Drive,
for 5 billiard tables and 8 bowling lanes.
License
(ID # 24-0156)
Trish Farnsworth, attorney representing Lucky Strike, is seeking to transfer
licenses to AMF Bowling Centers, or apply for new licenses that are not
transferable. She stated that licenses for these locations were purchased in one
transaction as part of fourteen Lucky Strike Centers. Councilor Mbah stated this is
a routine matter and he is willing to support the license transfer. Councilor
Ewen-Campen also expressed his support. Chair Burnley asked if AMF Bowling
owns other locations in Somerville and if there is a history of AMF Bowling in the
Somerville community. Ms. Farnsworth stated AMF Bowling does not have other
locations in Somerville, but there have been other locations in Massachusetts for a
number of years. Chair Burnley stated that he was curious if the City is welcoming
a new partner in the community, or if someone is returning from a long time away
and inquired as to how AMF Bowling will be as a neighbor. Ms. Farnsworth stated
that AMF Bowling Centers is respectful of laws and dedicated to the community,
and has 345 centers in 36 States. Chair Burnley asked Mr. Potere if Lucky Strike
was planning to apply for several licenses regarding arcade related electronics, and
Mr. Potere confirmed that license was previously approved in February, and stated
that they are squared away for food, alcohol, sales, and auto entertainment devices.
Chair Burnley stated that he sees no issue with these license transfers.
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Licenses and Permits Committee
Meeting Minutes
March 27, 2024
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At
Large Mbah and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen
AYE:
3.
New Extended Operating Hours License, Lucky Strike, 325 Revolution
Drive, opening Monday-Sunday until 2am for in-store service only.
License
(ID # 24-0157)
Agenda item 3, ID #24-0157 was taken up with agenda item 2, ID #24-0156.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At
Large Mbah and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen
AYE:
4.
New Used Car Dealer Class 2 License, Ravelo's Auto Sales, 61 Washington
St, for 0 vehicles inside and 1 vehicles outside, Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm, Sat:
8am-2pm, Sun: closed.
License
(ID # 24-0267)
Mr. Potere stated that this is an existing car garage that does repairs and they are
seeking to add used car sales for one car only. He researched if there are tickets or
complaints and he found none relevant to this application. Mr. Potere did not
personally reach out to this applicant to remind applicant of the meeting tonight.
Councilor Ewen-Campen requires applicants to appear if there are issues with any
application, but given there is a history of no issues and this is for one spot,
Councilor Ewen-Campen favored of approval even with applicant absent per what
Mr. Potere said. Councilor Mbah stated that applicants may not understand the
process and prefers to support them rather than make it more complicated for them.
Chair Burnley noted that there is a process in which applicants made aware via
mail and phone calls generally, and that Mr. Potere stated he did not personally
reach out to this applicant. Chair Burnley suggested applicants also check the
Somerville Times. Chair Burnley noted that there are four spots available and the
applicant is only asking for one spot and would be curious why that is, but is happy
to accept a motion for recommendation of approval.
RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED
RESULT:
City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., City Councilor At
Large Mbah and Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen
AYE:
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