Board of License Commissioners Sep 3, 2026

Um, good evening. Welcome to the Board of License Commissioners September 3rd, 2026 5:30 p.m. meeting virtual only. Um, pursuant to chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting will be conducted via remote means. Members of the public who wish to access the meeting remotely may do so by a Zoom or by telephone. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. With that done, we'll do a roll call of attendance. Um, George? >> Here. >> And Kurt? >> Here. >> And I am here. Uh, we are missing Helly and Amanda, but we do have a quorum, so we can proceed with the meeting. After the call to order, the next order of business is public comment. This is public comment unrelated to anything on the agenda. If you have such comment, um, please raise your hand by pressing the raise hand button at the bottom of your screen. Is there anyone here for public comment? Do you see anyone, Steve? No. >> Seeing nobody. >> Okay. Nobody. Okay, in that case, we can move on to agenda item three, licenses. Um, A, special short-term liquor license applications, SST-25-26-55, John Page, Amherst Bid Wine and Malt, to 9:00 in Realign Park on North Pleasant Street. Is John here? He must be. >> John is not able to attend today, but we do have, um, Bruce Mac Amis who will be the manager of the event, who is, uh, able to speak. >> Great. >> Hi, well, welcome, Bruce. >> Hi. >> Hey, Bruce. >> Hi, everybody. >> Um, so this is a new thing for the block party? >> Yeah, it I guess it is. The truth is I'm a little under brief today. I thought that John was going to be here. But I you know, I'm certainly prepared to to speak to what we've done um you know, many times you know, a number of times in the past and that we would you know, plan to to to repeat if if we were to get the permit for this event. >> Okay. Um So um What I have a question. I guess um about the about the heading and Steve maybe you can also answer this. So it says primary location 122 North Pleasant Street. And then owner Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield. >> So that um >> Does the the the church own that Does the diocese own that that part? >> No, so that's actually been that's actually been corrected. That was an that's from an earlier revision. But that that is um it's now 220 North Pleasant Street. And in both of those cases it's just a reflection that our system doesn't really encompass the public way very well. >> Oh, okay. Got you. >> it'll be in the public way in front of 220 North Pleasant Street. >> 220 North Okay, great. And so the annual block party and so you're going to fence off this part of realignment park. And um There's a description. There's a little beer and wine garden. So is this going to be sort of like the one that they have off the common occasionally? >> Uh Um I I guess I'm not if if that's to me this is Bruce here. Um I'm not I'm not familiar with that with the event you're referring to. But But as you say would have a fenced-off area um as as shown on the map, you know, that and we're we're checking IDs upon entry and and have wristbands wristbands for people who with with with positive ID. And then you know, our staff is all TIPS certified um you know, and so it's it's >> [clears throat] >> it's a sort of thing that we have a fair amount of experience with at this point. >> Right. And so just because it's um like a different event from the stuff that happens on the common um so the perimeter of this thing and there going to be like it says 7 to 10,000 people maybe wandering up and down the street that and it says that you are going to practice perimeter control. How are you going to do that? >> Um that so I guess um I guess that the um um I mean I think that the short answer is that we have to have you know, we will need I didn't realize the perimeter frankly was was quite as large as it's depicted on this map here. As I said, I'm sort of a a last minute drafty here to to represent and I thought that John was going to be present. So anyhow, I mean I think we we clearly need volunteers you know, to um be given the size of this area, we'll need some some extra bodies to to keep an eye on the you know, on the perimeter and make sure that we are are maintaining control. I mean as I said though, we do have a a backup in the sense that everybody who you know, that we will be using wristbands for people to obtain obtain alcohol. >> Okay. >> According to what's written here, it says that there will be fencing. It will be clearly marked with fencing and signage. >> Okay. >> Then the management according to the management plan. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, no, for sure. There's there's Yeah, there will be there will be a fence, you know, a sort of a fenced area. >> Okay. All right. Um great. Uh any other questions from the board? >> So it looks like this thing is at the way at the end of the sort of this outdoor celebration. >> Mhm. >> Uh is that right? Am I getting that right? So where that white truck used I guess that's last year's picture or the year before. I guess all that will be that will be gone. I'm assuming. Um >> Yeah. >> Yeah, I I mean I I I think that that that truck just happens to be you know, to be there in that picture from last year. But yeah, it's clearly at the you know, at that far end of of North Pleasant Street. Um you know, sort of opposite um opposite oh gosh. Um >> [laughter] >> I was just thinking about the the restaurant across >> I thought it was protocol. >> Protocol, exactly. Yeah, thank you. I had a mental block there for a second. But uh Yeah. >> Okay. >> So it's it's like it's by the cow statue. Yes? That statue that Yeah. >> That's the alignment park there. >> Okay. >> The little little piece of the park, not the not the whole Kendrick Park. >> Correct. >> Right. >> Is this part of the park? >> Is this part of Kendrick Park? >> No, it's it's it's like across If you keep scrolling down, just a little There we go. >> Oh, yeah, yeah. Okay. >> go. >> Yeah, it's at the end there, and there's a street that runs in between the two of them. >> Got it. Got it. Okay. >> And it's at the other end of the street from where the stage is, right? >> Right. >> Right, right, right. Okay. >> At the other end. Okay. >> So, the reason that I'm asking is because that would be the direction that the college kids come from. Um I presume, right? If they're coming from UMass. Um and I'm not really sure how many college kids actually participate in this, but Yeah, I think you know, the the the uh the guard lines the guidelines that you have in place, you know, with the fencing and the wristbands and stuff would be uh particularly important um I would think in that position where it's located. >> Mhm. >> Well, the fact that there'll be uh police officers in the vicinity, too, >> Yeah. >> would be good a disincentive for any underage person. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah, I'm cool. >> Yeah, but I you know, I'd be happy As I said, our staff is is TIPS certified and and experienced at this sort of thing. I do think that, you know, as I said, um the perimeter is maybe a little bit um a little bit larger than, you know, than I had anticipated, in which case you know, I think we could um probably work with the bid to uh uh you know, help identify some potential volunteers or some way of having a few extra bodies to um make sure that we're monitoring that perimeter. You know, like when we have when we did the wine festival uh this year, our our Italian wine festival, you know, that was under a tent, and it was a a relatively um it was a relatively tight perimeter that we could um you know that there weren't many access points uh in there without with the flaps on the tent down. So, it was easy to keep an eye on it. >> Yeah. >> So, you know, I'm I'm willing you know, I'm I totally understand that um that this has a little bit um this is a little bit tougher to control, but I'm I'm willing to you know, we're certainly willing to work with the bid to identify um you know, as I said some ways to get extra bodies on site that would be able to help us keep an eye on the perimeter. >> Okay. Fantastic. Great. Any other questions? Um Steve, is there anything else outstanding on this one or any particular way we should word the motion? >> I believe we are still waiting for um payment on this. Let me just double-check if that's come in since I last checked. No, that has been paid. So, that is we have everything we need. >> Okay. >> Great. Um so, there's nothing outstanding um that you'll talk to the bid about a few extra people to monitor the perimeter. Um in that case, is there a motion to approve What is this SST -26-55? Oh, was that George? >> So moved. >> So, okay. Thank you, George, for the motion and the second, Kurt? >> Sure. >> Thank you. And if there's no further discussion, we'll take a vote. Uh George? >> I. >> Kurt? >> Yes, I. >> And I vote I. That is three to zero with two absent and the license has been approved. Thanks so much, Bruce, for coming in. >> Okay. Thanks very much, everybody. Have a good evening. >> Have a good day. >> All right. Thanks, everybody. >> Okay. So, now we go on to the food truck hours. Um Chilango's Tacos. >> Yeah, actually there's more than just an ask for hours. there's also an ask about locations. >> Yeah, there were two things on that letter. Yes. Here from the taco place or no? >> I don't know if anybody is here for that. Okay, we do have somebody. >> Okay. >> And yes, Kurt, yeah, there are some other requests besides the hours. There is a procedure that um custom location request needs to go through that has not been completed yet. So, um that would be outside of um the scope of this approval, but the hours location could be considered. >> So, the hours, what do they currently have? 1:00? Oh, hi. Is that >> Hi. >> Hi, how are you? Um >> Good, how are you? >> so much so for coming. And um so you what do you currently have on your license? Are you 1:00 in the morning or >> Uh no, we're just uh 10:00 to 8:00 p.m. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, okay, but Steve, we have been having them open as late as Is it 3:00 you wanted? >> Yes, 3:00 a.m. >> Is that We have We've been doing that with the other food trucks, Steve? >> Um I I will review quickly and see. I know that there was some There have been one for 3:00 at at one point. >> Right. >> been definitely some for 2:00 in recent times. >> Right. Yeah, if 2:00 is the max, that's fine, too. Just a little later, just when the college students are back. >> Right. >> We understand. >> Yeah, no, I totally get it. What time I thought that it was 2:00. >> That's what I'm thinking, but >> Yeah. >> I should double-check on that. >> I don't believe there's any official limit on what the board could give. It's just um just a question of what the board wants to. >> Okay. >> Yeah, all all all our regs say is that if it's outside of 8:00 to 8:00 that it It special approval on a per location basis. >> Okay. Yeah, so we Yeah, we were just asking if it could be that a little bit later and then if we could be where the halal cart is, but once he leaves if we can move over there. Like in front of St. Bridget's Parish. >> Oh, okay. So Okay, so you want to go I thought it were moving in front of the Um and that that spot is already approved, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, but there there is a catch though, Marian. Um I I don't know how to pronounce your first name. I apologize. >> My first name? >> Yeah. >> Sitlalli. >> Sitlalli. I just I just want to mispronounce. >> It's okay. >> Now so Sitlalli here is asking about being in the parking space not on the sidewalk in front of St. Bridget's. Am I correct about that, Sitlalli? >> No, I'm asking about being on the sidewalk. >> Oh, okay. >> Okay, cuz in the letter the first location so for the extended hours you want to be on the sidewalk in front of St. Bridget's. >> Yeah, the other one is the one that Steve said that needed a longer approval. >> Right. That's the one I'm going to still say. All right, okay. >> Yeah. >> That's a different process as far as Yeah. So but as far as being and that's where that halal guy goes. >> Yeah, we would just move over there once he leaves cuz we don't want to >> Yeah, I think that's fine. I mean as far as I Yeah, that's fine cuz it's already an approved site and I think the later hours are also fine. Um >> So where are you again before the halal cart moves? >> Um right now we're on North Pleasant I think it is like south of Spring Street right where the town common is. >> Oh, yeah, yeah. Okay. Yeah, over there. >> Yeah, that's where we park right now. >> Right, but late at night you'd want to be >> Okay. >> closer to >> Yeah, more Yeah, to the bars and stuff. >> Yeah. >> And what time does the halal cart close down? >> He usually when we've driven by, he's out of there by like 5:00, 5:30. >> Mhm. >> Oh, 5:30 in the evening. >> Yeah. >> Oh, okay. >> He's He's >> Cuz I know there's one that hangs out There's one that hangs out at the common uh on some evenings and he's he's usually there like when I come out of you know, when I come out of um you know, listening to jazz at the Drake you know, he's doing business at, you know, 9:00, 9:30 at night. Uh >> I believe I I believe the one um you're referring to by the Unitarian Church, he I think he usually leaves about 7:00. >> Okay. >> And and and you're And not you, George. Not Not you, George. The one the advocate was referring to. Yeah, you're right about the other one. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay, so So, the location is fine. Um Mary and I think from our our regs, if it's outside of 8:00 to 8:00 per location, we're supposed to approve it. So, that sounds like we ought to do a quick vote. Yes? >> Right. We need to do a vote on that. >> I would um I would recommend three motions. Um the first would be to Right now, the board last approved this application as an on-street vehicle. I would recommend a motion to just reclassify it as an on-street and on-sidewalk vehicle. And then um the board could take motions to extend the hours in um either that Unitarian Church spot um or the um common spot or both. >> Okay. All right. So, the first motion is to designate this as an both an on-street and on-sidewalk lunch cart. Is there a motion to do that? >> it. >> Thank you, Kurt. Is there a second? >> Second. >> And we'll take a vote. Uh Kurt? >> Yes. >> George? >> Yes. >> I vote yes. That is three to zero with one absent. You now have the designation to be both on sidewalk and on street. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah, you're welcome. Um the next one was to um Oh my gosh, what was the second one? >> Hours. >> The hours. To extend the >> Yeah. >> extend the hours for both locations. I thought we had three motions, Steve. >> He was thinking one motion each for each location, I think. >> Oh, okay. >> You could do that, too. You could do it as one motion. >> We could We could do both. >> Okay. So, we can we do Is there a motion to extend the hours? And what are those hours going to be? Is it three Is everyone okay with 3:00 as asked? Or would you prefer 2:00, which I think is what we the others have Some of the others have. Um >> You know, it doesn't matter to me. I'm not sure they would do much business after 2:00 a.m., but you know, I don't hang out downtown at that late at night, so I don't know. >> Yeah. So, Kurt, any ideas? >> Um what time do our bars close? >> 1:00. >> 1:00. That's right. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, I I Yeah, I I I kind of was with George that that even if we approve three, there's probably not going to be that many people at 2:30. >> But give them a time to break it to break it down, right? >> Yeah. Yeah, so I I I I don't think probably >> Who knows? It doesn't Either way. >> All right. Well, how about we just go with three? >> Okay. >> Um so, we can approve the location in front of the Unitarian Church and um North Pleasant Street at Spring Street. Is that where your other location is? >> Yeah. >> All right. Is there a motion to approve both of those locations for this lunch cart until 3:00 a.m.? >> So moved. >> Thank you, George. And a second, thank you, Kurt. We'll take a vote. Uh Kurt? >> Yes. >> George? >> Yes. >> And I vote yes. That is three to zero with one absent. And you've been approved for those two locations with the extended hours and to do on-sidewalk business. And then you have to go through them make an official application to extend into that loc- that new location in front of Dulceria. And that's you can talk to Steve about the process for that. >> Okay, thank you guys so much. >> You're welcome. Thanks so much for coming in. >> Thank you. Bye. Have a good night. >> Have a good fall. Bye-bye. >> Okay. So Great. Well, that's good. Um next up discussing topics, hearing procedures. And uh I think we covered the hearing procedures and um adopted different language for them. Correct, Steve? Do we need to vote on these right now or >> That's correct. No motions necessary. Um I will provide the the final edited draft at our next meeting. >> Right, fantastic. Thank you. Um upcoming meetings and agendas. So today is the third and we are on So I could possibly zoom another zoom meeting on the 17th as per our schedule. Um is there anything coming up like any big licenses coming up, Steve? >> Not to my knowledge, no. >> Okay. >> Um so our our next meeting's in person? >> Well, originally it was this was supposed to be in person and then the next one was already scheduled for zoom. So everyone has it on their schedule for zoom. Yes, Kurt. >> Just an observation. The 17th happens to be when the block party with 7 to 10,000 people's happening. So I'd either suggest we do Zoom or we switch it to a different night. >> Okay. It was originally Zoom, so why don't we keep it Zoom? And then next our October meeting which is what the first will be in person. >> Okay. >> Is that okay or did you want to move it to another night? >> Kind of was planning going to the block party, but I guess I can still do that. We'll probably have a fairly short >> the right. Hopefully the agenda won't be too big. We can just bolt out of here afterwards. >> Yeah. Okay. We'll keep it short and sweet, I promise. >> And then October 1st, that's going to be in person. >> In person. >> I got to put that down. I don't have that on my schedule. >> And then the 15th would be the next Zoom one as per our regular schedule now. >> When's the next one after the 1st? >> The 15th. >> Uh the 15th. >> Okay. I got lots of stuff going on in the fall. Just making sure I'm not having schedule problems. >> I won't I won't be here for the 15th. I'll be flying out of town. >> Will you be here on the 22nd? >> Yes. >> Okay, well because we have the luxury of one to five Thursdays. >> Yeah, so I would I would be here. I I return on the 19th, so I would definitely be here the 22nd. >> Okay. Kurt, are you here on the 22nd? >> Wait a second. Oh, yeah, the 22nd is a Thursday. No, I will not be here on the 22nd. >> Okay. >> At least for the time being, Mary, and I'm spending our opposite Thursdays with the ZBA, so I will likely not be available on the 22nd, although I don't think there's anything Pardon me, scheduled for that third Thursday or that fifth Thursday on the 29th. >> 29th. Okay. Well, let's make it we'll meet on the the Zoom meeting on the 1st unless there's nothing going on, in which case we'll either move it or not have it. And then we'll have um a Zoom meeting on the 29th. >> Okay. >> So, that gives us a lot of time for people to And then we start moving into renewal season. >> So, just to clarify, so Zoom on 9/17 in person or Zoom on October 1st? >> In person. >> Okay. And Zoom on the not the 15th, but maybe the 30th or 29th? >> 29th. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Okay. >> All right. So, the first is a town hall. >> Yes. >> Great. >> Okay. And um So, that solves that for upcoming meetings. Um all right, approval of minutes. Has everyone had a chance to Everyone want to take a minute to look at the minutes? >> Yeah, can somebody post them? Steve? Oh, good. Okay, great. >> Oh, there they are. All right. Call to order, presence of a quorum. Oh, what happened? >> Is it still visible? >> Yeah, I can see it. >> Yeah. >> What's the name of this new place again? >> Um Little Patronis. >> Okay. Neapolitan pizza and Italian-American classics, okay. What happened to the Public House? >> Um >> They closed out too much fanfare. >> Yeah, that's yeah. Okay. >> Yeah, there was an issue with them. Very experienced ownership group. Yeah. Definitely. Okay. Little Patronis, John Page. >> Capturing who moved and and so forth, which is good. >> All right, it looks good to me. >> Okay, I wasn't there, so I'll take your word for it. >> Kurt, not a funny All right. Is there a motion to approve the um Thank you, Kurt, and a second. Thank you, George. Um all in favor. George. >> Yes. >> I. >> Yes. >> Yes. And I vote yes, that is three to zero with two absent, and the minutes are approved. Thank you so much, Steve, for sending those. Um all right, where are we at? Topics not anticipated by the chair 48 hours in advance of this meeting. I don't have any topics. Does anyone else have any topics? Steve? >> I did I did learn that um Garcia's has closed permanently. >> Yeah, I heard that also. That was Was that in the paper or something? >> Yeah, it was in the Daily Hampshire Gazette today. >> Oh, really? Okay. Oh, that's no good. Okay. >> Yeah. >> That's too bad. They were a good restaurant. >> Yeah, I wonder what happened. >> I don't know. Restaurant business is tough. >> It really is tough. Yeah. Especially, you know, when the students leave town, I don't they may not be able to generate enough of a margin during the summer to keep open, you know. >> Yeah. Yeah, it's hard. Especially with um Yeah. Something that's not >> There used to be quite a bit of competition for that that type of food. >> Yeah, for Mexican food, yes. Especially with the food trucks, right? I mean >> There's food trucks, there's restaurants, there's there's restaurants in South Amherst, in North Amherst. >> Yeah. But, we're speculating, so, you know. >> Yeah, who knows? >> Well, that's too bad. I hope they get a new tenant. And um I'm sure we'll hear about that, too. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Oh, by the way, the um R&P Liquors is now open. >> Oh, good. Okay. >> Just opened the other day. >> Great. >> I haven't been in yet, but I'm going to check it out tomorrow, I think. I'll let you know. >> Yeah, report back. >> I'll report back. >> Excellent. Thank you. Um okay, if there are no other topics, is there a motion to adjourn? >> Sure. I'll I'll motion to adjourn. >> Thank you, Kurt. And a second? >> Second. >> Thanks, George. Uh we'll take a vote. Uh Kurt? >> Yes. >> Uh George? >> I. >> And I vote yes. That is three to zero with two absent, and we're adjourned at 5:58 p.m. Thanks. >> All right. Thanks, everybody. >> See you Friday. >> Thanks, everybody. Thanks, Steve. We'll see you at the next one. >> See you on the 17th. >> Thank you all very much. >> All right. Thank you, Steve. We'll see you right for the block party. Have a good long weekend. >> See you guys. >> Goodbye.