A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing a new alcohol license application for Maxa Point, a recently opened restaurant on Pleasant Street. Despite the restaurant’s owner, Point, requesting the license due to customer demand, board members expressed concerns about safety and compliance issues. A recent alarm response at the restaurant raised questions about crowd control and the use of the basement for patrons. Point maintained that the crowd gathered outside during the incident was unrelated to his establishment and insisted that only he and his wife were inside at the time. Given these unresolved issues, the board decided to table the application pending further investigation. They plan to involve the fire department and building inspector to ensure all safety concerns are adequately addressed before making a final decision.

Another notable discussion focused on Blue Woman Hospitality’s request for an alcohol license for The Counting House, an upscale restaurant and craft cocktail lounge on Pleasant Street. This establishment aims to contribute to the area’s growth, especially with Northeastern University establishing a nursing school nearby. The board reviewed the proposal, which included a plans for both indoor and outdoor seating and a Liquor Locker program for members. Despite some concerns about seating capacity and occupancy limits, the board approved the application, emphasizing the need for strong management oversight to ensure compliance with liquor laws and patron safety.

The board also addressed management changes at the Santo Cristo Club, where Michael Souza was appointed as the new manager. The board required Souza to commit to being present for at least 25 hours a week to ensure the club operated within liquor license guidelines. Souza assured the board of his readiness to meet and exceed these expectations, stating his willingness to increase his presence at the club. This stipulation aims to ensure consistent management and adherence to regulations.

In a separate matter, the Royal Family Restaurant’s use of a pocket license was scrutinized. The board stressed the importance of using liquor licenses and expressed a firm stance against holding licenses without active business operations. Eduardo Farias, the restaurant’s owner, acknowledged the challenges he faced post-pandemic but sought to retain the license for potential rental opportunities. The board clarified the possibility of transferring the license to new tenants but emphasized the urgency of taking action to utilize it.

The meeting also featured routine approvals of one-day permits for various local church events. Espirito Santo Church and St. Michael’s Church both received approvals for their upcoming events without objections from the board. Additionally, the Boys and Girls Club’s request for a permit for their annual gala was similarly approved.

Finally, the board addressed a letter from the King Philip Yacht Club regarding a temporary transfer of their license due to the retirement of the current bar manager. The board acknowledged the letter but decided against formally approving a temporary manager.