Committee Report - L&P - 5-31-18 — File 206075

Licenses and Permits Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 6/10/2018 May 31, 2018 REPORT OF THE LICENSES AND PERMITS COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Mary Jo Rossetti Chair Present Wilfred N. Mbah Vice Chair Absent Jefferson Thomas ("J.T.") Scott Ward Two Alderman Present The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 5:00 PM by Chairman Rossetti and adjourned at 6:00 PM. Approval of the April 17, 2018 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED PUBLIC HEARING - Item 205545 205545: New Extended Operating Hours License, Venus Pizza and Grill, 1293 Broadway, remaining open nightly to 2:30AM for delivery service only. The applicant/owner appeared before the committee. There were 6 residents from the community also in attendance. Those choosing to speak on this agenda item, were given three minutes. Alderman Ballantyne met with the applicant and they have not been able to work out anything in terms of working with the community. The last time this applicant came before the committee on February 21st, there were a number of complaints from the community. At that meeting, there were several community members opposed to the extended hours. The applicant stated they wanted to work with the community to resolve any issues. To date, there have not been any meetings with the community. At tonight’s meeting, residents complained about rodent problems, constant smoking on the premises and noises coming from the restaurant’s side door. There was also a complaint about a truck that comes in to scrape up the grease from the restaurant, does not use the commercial side and it is very noisy. Residents complained about people coming to the restaurant to pick up pizza who sometimes block neighbors’ driveways, as does the restaurant’s delivery person. The owner of the building was also present at tonight’s meeting and spoke about the exhaust fumes blowing outside. He does not want to set a precedent in the area for other businesses to open extended hours and believes that 11 p.m. is a good time for restaurants in residential neighborhoods to close.

Licenses and Permits Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 6/10/2018 Chairman Rossetti heard from the ward alderman who said that she stands with the neighbors. The ward alderman had tried to arrange a meeting with the business owner and neighbors. Chairman Rossetti stated that she (Chairman Rossetti) had investigated other businesses in the Teele Square area and their times of closing. The applicant brought in one complaint from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health dated 4/30/18, which noted that the inspector spoke with the owner who believed the complaint was from a person abutting his restaurant. The report stated there was no violation observed. Chairman Rossetti was not in favor of extending the restaurant’s hours and suggested the applicant apply again next year. Alderman Scott expressed his desire to visit the location as well as hear directly from Alderman Ballantyne. It was explained that if a motion should receive a tie vote, the issue is considered as ‘not approved’, however a committee only recommends action to the Board of Aldermen, who then accepts or overturns that recommendation. The committee agreed to keep this item in committee to hear from the ward alderman who was not able to attend tonight’s meeting. There may be another meeting in July. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE PUBLIC HEARING - Item 205858 205858: New Mobile Food Vendor, the Chef Grill, operating on Grand Union Blvd Sun- Wed 11AM-5PM, Thu-Sat 11AM-8PM. The applicant, who formerly resided in Somerville, appeared before the committee and said that she believes that having the food truck at Assembly Row is ideal. The menu will include American, Spanish, Arabic sandwiches and salads. No other residents from the community appeared to speak. RESULT: APPROVED 205717: That the Chief Fire Engineer inform the Committee on Licenses and Permits how the Fire Prevention Bureau reviews applications and issues licenses for the storage of flammables. Chairman Rossetti asked the Chief Fire Engineer to attend a future meeting, given that tonight’s meeting would be short due to another meeting starting at 7 p.m. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 205740: Public Event License, Boston Meditation Training Seminar, Statue Park, Jun 3,10,17, 12:30-5PM. The owner of the business appeared before the committee. This event was supposed to happen last year but did not get approved in a timely manner, according to the City Clerk. The business is non-profit and the event would be free to the public. There were discussions about how many days to offer this event and that the hours would be from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.in Statue Park. Two dates were approved by the committee: June 17th and July 8th for this event.

Licenses and Permits Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 6/10/2018 RESULT: APPROVED 205969: Public Event License, BRAIN Arts Organization New England Underground Music Festival, ArtFarm, Jun 16, 12Noon-1AM. The applicants attended the meeting and noted that the organization’s treasurer is a Somerville resident. This event has been held for a few years and showcases music from New England. This business is non-profit and is suggesting a $10.00 per person donation to help cover the band and portable bathrooms. Alderman Scott spoke to residents in the Brick Bottom area who had no objection to this event. This item was conditionally approved as long as proof of liability insurance is given to the City Clerk. RESULT: APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS Handout: • Complaint Follow-up (with 205545)