Hull Board of Selectmen
Minutes
July 31, 2001
The Hull board of Selectmen meeting was called to order at 7:35pm on Tuesday evening, July 31, 2001 at the Hull Municipal Building, 253 Atlantic Avenue, Hull, Massachusetts.
Present: Timothy MacKenzie, Chairman; Joshua Cutler, Vice Chairman; Thomas Burns, Clerk; John Reilly and Regina Burke, Members. Also present were Philip Lemnois, Town Manager, James Lampke, Town Counsel, and Jay Szklut, Community Development Director.
Minutes
The Board held the minutes of February 20, 2001 until next week.
MOVED-Cutler: To approve the minutes of February 13, 2001 as written.
SECOND-MacKenzie
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
7:45pm - Public Hearing - re: Bridgeman Enterprises, Inc. All Alcoholic License
Prior to the start of the hearing Cutler recused himself because he is an abutter, and left his seat as a board member.
MacKenzie read a statement (on file) notifying the applicants that he is headmaster of the Charter School, diagonally opposite the site, but, that unless the applicant raised an objection he felt he can be fair and impartial and would participate. No objection was offered by the applicant.
Police Chief Donald Brooker presented a written disclosure (on file) from which he read publicly that he is an abutter, and Trustee of the Condo Association and requires a vote from the Board to participate.
MOVED-Burke: That the financial interest of Chief Brooker involved is not so substantial as to be deemed likely to affect the integrity of the service that the Town expects from him in this matter.
SECOND-MacKenzie
VOTE: FOUR in Favor; one abstention (Cutler)
The Chairman opened the public hearing on an All Alcoholic License, Common Victulars and Entertainment Licenses to Bridgeman Enterprises, Inc. dba Bridgeman's Restaurant, Joseph P. Laspada, Mgr. At 145 Nantasket Ave. He swore in the witnesses.
Continued
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Selectmen Minutes, 7/31/01
Page 2 of 4
Joseph and Susan Laspada told the board they have the property under an agreement and have formed an LLC, and are obtaining a mortgage from the Hingham Institute of Savings, which requires a pledge of the license. The restaurant will serve moderately priced food but will be upscale. LaSpada said that he has operated two corporate restaurants - one at the Taunton Raynham Race Track and the Top of the Hub in Boston.
He told the members there are no major renovations planned except to the exterior, rearranging seating areas and reducing the size of the bars. Their intent, he said is to use the outside patio during good weather and that no live entertainment is planned, only background music.
Since no floor plans had been submitted with the application Reilly told the applicants that one needs to be presented. He mentioned three other issues: 1) sewerage and condition of grease traps; 2) controlling the noise from the second floor; 3) how parking on side streets will be controlled.
Police Chief Donald Brooker spoke about his past experience with former operations at this site and said the location has been a trouble-spot from 1996, and that ultimately the license had been revoked in 1999.
Chief Brooker reported that the background checks indicate all are suitable persons.
The members spoke of their reluctance to license the outdoor patio at this time and preferred the operation establish a record of good management first.
Several neighbors spoke to offer their concerns in regard to noise from the establishment. No one objected to the issuance of the licenses as long as the noise was under control.
It was suggested that the hearing be continued until next week and that the applicant have answered to some of the questions by that time.
The Board recessed at 9”:00pm and reopened at 9:11pm.
The applicant was requested to provide a schematic of 1st and 2nd floors, location of dumpsters, agree to no outside sound speakers, provide a letter from Ed Petrilak of the Sewer Department that the building has a dedicated sewer line and ample, working grease trap, that the hours of operation are to be 11:00am to 1:00am; entertainment will be prerecorded music on an approved speaker system, and that the patio licenses are to addressed at a later time.
MOVED-MacKenzie: To continue the hearing to August 7, 2001
SECOND-Burke
VOTE: Four in Favor
Selectmen Minutes, 7/31/01
Page 3 of 4
8:15pm - Police Chief Donald Brooker - re: Sergeant Promotional List
Police Chief Donald Brooker told the Selectmen that Officer Robert C. Sawtelle, Jr. was the only name on the Certified Civil Service List for promotion to Sergeant, and he respectfully requested Sawtelle's appointment to the position.
The Chief praised the applicant, then introduced Sawtelle and the four Sergeants present to comment on his qualifications: Joseph Lucas; Robert Tompkins; Gregory Shea, and Richard Billings, all of whom spoke of Sawtelle
Following a brief dialogue between the Selectmen and Sawtelle a motion was made.
MOVED-Reilly: To appoint Officer Robert C. Sawtelle, Jr. as Permanent Full-time Police
Sergeant effective August 1, 2001.
SECOND-Cutler
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
CORRESPONDENCE
UNANIMOUSLY voted on a motion by Reilly, seconded by Burns to enforce the one-hour parking between L & M Streets on Nantasket Avenue from June 15th through September 15th, only, in response to a letter from Marge Caputo to her concern of the recently imposed one-hour parking limit's negative impact on the Nantasket Preschool.
NOTED a letter of complaint from Cynthia Lihatsh of l55 George Washington Boulevard in regard to traffic on the dump access road and requesting four way stop signs. The Police Chief commented that the road is a private way and stop signs are not suitable, but he suggested, brush might be cut along the sides of the road.
NOTED a letter from Health Agent Kevin O'Brien with an update of beach water testing, which were very satisfactory.
A discussion was held on updating the application for licenses.
MOVED-Reilly: To adopt as a policy and procedure a rule that the applicant shall attach a floor plan for applications for common victualers, entertainment,
all alcoholic licenses; and add ample space to supply the opening date; and
to leave enough blank space on the entertainment license application for
listing pre-recorded music.
SECOND-Cutler
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
Selectmen Minutes, 7/31/01
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MOVED-MacKenzie: To go into executive session to discuss the sale, lease, value or disposition of real property.
SECOND-Burke
ROLL CAL VOTES: Aye, Reilly; Aye, Burns; Aye, MacKenzie; Aye, Cutler; Aye, Burke.
The Board moved into executive session at 10:00pm and thereafter adjourned.
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