Left In Lowell

The License Commission

by Mimi at 12:08 pm.

In our discussions of the power of the City regulatory boards, we usually focus on the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals, the action and decisions of the other Boards and Commissions are not as publicized and discussed as they should be.

This morning, the local radio station, WCPA, led its newscast with a report on the City of Lowell License Commission meeting held yesterday at City Hall. Their meetings usually do not make headlines. It got my attention. Today’s Sun reports the same item that ‘CAP did, that the “License commissioners yesterday imposed a three-day liquor license suspension on the Blue Shamrock for five alleged violations, including one stemming from a Lowell police internal affairs investigation in which the downtown bar was accused of serving patrons alcohol after 2 a.m.” Both the Sun and CPA indicated that some of those drinking after hours were off-duty cops.

Frankly, if these cops are just coming off duty, where are they supposed to go to relax and enjoy themselves? As with most 2nd shift workers, by the time they get out of work, the establishments are closed. But the discussion regarding Massachusetts’ Blue Laws will wait for another day. As for the back story on the license suspension, I will defer to those who know more than me on this issue.

Back to the Lowell License Commission. The three-member board of two lawyers (one of which is an former City Council member) and a funeral home operator. As with all Massachusetts’ cities and towns, the License Commission is the authority for alcoholic beverages, public amusement and second hand motor vehicles.

Their agenda is detailed and extensive. Unfortunately, their minutes are not available on the City web site. The Executive Secretaries or Staff assigned to these various Boards and Commissions need to issue minutes in a standard format so that the IT Department at City Hall can post them. I know they are working toward that goal.

The fees that accompany the various licenses are not only a Libertarian nightmare but also arbitrary. For example, if you are staging a boxing match, the fee is $50.00 for the entire event but if you are staging a wrestling match, the fee is $100 for each wrestler. The annual liquor license for a hotel costs $3,500 but the owner of your corner tavern pays $1,500.

Of course there is the $50 the application and the $175 for advertisement in the local newspaper. Instead of generating revenue for the local newspapers, Massachusetts cities and towns should smarten up and set up a web site for all these official advertisements.

The License Commission’s next meeting is Thursday, May 18th from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at City Hall.

[Filed under Local politics] [link]

7 Responses to “The License Commission”

Mike Says:
May 6th, 2006 at 7:15 pm
“Both the Sun and CPA indicated that some of those drinking after hours were off-duty cops.

Frankly, if these cops are just coming off duty, where are they supposed to go to relax and enjoy themselves?”

Why would you excuse cops for blatently breaking a law that they are supposed to be enforcing?
Mimi Says:
May 6th, 2006 at 8:14 pm
Mike:

I do not agree with the law, that is why.
K-R-S Says:
May 6th, 2006 at 8:14 pm
Mimi, I don’t agree with the statement,

“Both the Sun and CPA indicated that some of those drinking after hours were off-duty cops.
Frankly, if these cops are just coming off duty, where are they supposed to go to relax and enjoy themselves?”

The law mandates that bars close at a certain time. Cops should not be exempt or above the law.
The practice of serving patrons or cops after hours is not uncommon by any stretch.
Nick (the owner) just happened to get caught, after an internal investigation following an officers’ involvement in
a domestic dispute.
Quite frankly, the three day suspension is a joke..three days of his own choosing (Sundays).
This punishment is merely a slap on the wrist!
More of an issue at the Blue Shamrock is the underage drinking and the fights (that require police intervention) that occur outside
of the establishment on busy nights. Furthermore, The BL. Shamrock comes out unscathed because of his close ties to Pangy.
Mike Says:
May 6th, 2006 at 8:58 pm
If I don’t agree with speeding laws is it okay if I drive up and down your street doing 95 mph? Gotta get my stress out somehow you know.
Mimi Says:
May 7th, 2006 at 5:54 pm
Kristin and Mike:

I am not encouraging people to break the law. I just think the Blue Laws need to reviewed and changed.

I think the cops will get their public and private “punishment.’ As for the Blue Shamrock, the focus should be on the License Commission; not only their actions towards this establishment but towards others as well.
Jim Says:
May 8th, 2006 at 9:44 am
I love the Blue Shamrock!
dan m Says:
May 8th, 2006 at 11:37 am
Just a note.. the Blue Shamrock Pays out of its own money, the money for private duty cops to be there. It only costs the tax payers money when huge fights break out, and as far as I am concerned, thats what the cops are there for, better them keeping the peace than sleeping in their car behind a store.

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May 5, 2006

The License Commission

7 Responses to “The License Commission”

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