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Local Licensing Authority
Minutes
April 15, 2009
Members present: William Cavanaugh, Doug Walter, John Murray
Others Present: Richard Furlong, Colleen O’Connor, Beth Van Ness, David Bonney, Alice Briggs, Kristen and Mark Sottile, Michael Falk, Bruce Garlow, Geri Walter, Madeleine Swindlehurst, Mark White, Donna and Sean Mulholland, Robert Gorden, Barbara Roberts, Estella Conner, Tony Blair, Michael Parisi, Kathy and Skip Saville, Ann Spadafora, Donald and Charlene Murray, George Fuller, Al Lussier, Steve and Geri Galliher, Ken Ferris, Matthew Napier, Charles Francis, John and Shirley Vachula, Luke Bates and others
7:30 PM The Selectmen, acting as the local licensing authority, opened the public hearing on application of KMS, Inc. d/b/a Becket Country Store for an all alcoholic package store license at the establishment located at 609 Main Street. Bill advised that there will be another public hearing after this one for another applicant that is applying for the same all alcoholic package store license. After both hearings, the decision will be made as to who will get the license. Colleen asked if the local licensing authority can vote to approve the license to a business that is not currently open. Donald Murray feels that the license should go to a business that is already opened. Ann Spadafora asked if the town loses this license if no one has used it in a while. Richard advised that the town
gets a certain amount of licenses that is based on population. Briefly discussed liens on the Becket General Store property. Al Lussier advised that it is in his agreement that the liens would be paid at the sale of this property. Steve Galliher advised that Al Lussier applied before for this license but through no fault of his own, the store was unable to open. He feels that Al has given so much to try to get this store opened and that this should be taken into consideration. Kenneth Ferris, attorney for KMS, Inc., advised that the sale of the store hinges on the liquor license approval. 7:55 PM Doug motioned to close the public hearing on application of KMS, Inc. for an all alcoholic package store license, John seconded. All in favor.
7:55 PM The Selectmen, acting as the local licensing authority, opened the public hearing on application of Phat Al’s, Inc. d/b/a Becket General Store for an all alcoholic package store license at the establishment located at 30 Washington Street. Al Lussier gave a run down on what has happened in the last year and a half since he decided to try to open the Becket General Store. He explained why he thought the town needed the store to open. A few people gave reasons that they thought were important for the Becket General Store to open. North Becket Village needs the store especially if the town loses power for a substantial amount of time since there is a generator and gasoline that is available. Beth VanNess feels that people are confused about the liquor license. The store can
still open without the all alcoholic package store license. Kristen Sottile, owner of KMS, Inc., advised that she still plans on opening the store regardless of which license she gets. 8:15 PM The public hearing closed.
Bill asked what the recommendations are of the licensing authority. Doug spoke and feels that the all alcoholic licenses should be at both ends of the town which was the case when the Becket General Store was open. Doug asked Al Lussier if there was any reason to believe that the store would not be able to open in the very near future. Al advised that everything is going forward and the steps are being done that need to be done. Doug feels that the license should go to the North Becket Village. John would like the license to go to the store that is already open. Bill feels that it should go to the Becket General Store because they made a commitment a year ago and Al is still committed to opening the store. Doug motioned that the all alcoholic package store license be issued to
Phat Al’s, Inc. d/b/a Becket General Store, Bill seconded. John voted against this. The motion passed.
8:20 PM Doug motioned to adjourn the public hearing and return to the Selectmen’s meeting, John seconded. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted, _______________________________
Nina Weiler, Secretary William F. Cavanaugh, Chairman
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