One of the meeting’s most discussions centered on an incident involving Facility Concession Services LLC, doing business as Spectrum, located on Guest Street in Brighton. The venue faced scrutiny after a large crowd gathered outside during a street concert on August 24, 2025, which was considered a violation of general law chapter 138 section 64. Sergeant Jeff McGan from the Boston Police Department reported arriving at the venue around 12:30 a.m., where he found over a thousand concert-goers occupying the street and sidewalks of Guest Street. This situation created a dangerous scenario for emergency vehicles and transit buses, prompting police intervention for crowd control and additional officer requests. Despite the size of the crowd, it was described as peaceful, and the venue staff cooperated with police efforts to disperse the gathering.

Attorney Kristen Scanland, representing the licensee, clarified that Sergeant McGan had not been specifically called to manage the crowd but was present for a different reason. The event was a post-carnival party celebrating Haitian music and culture, attended by city officials, including Mayor Michelle Wu. The board expressed concerns about the actions of the venue staff, particularly regarding the performance of a local marching band outside the venue. It was noted that the band had been instructed not to perform outside, but they continued to play for approximately five minutes after leaving the stage. Security had to make a judgment call on managing the situation, which highlighted a lack of clear contractual agreements prohibiting the band from performing outside.

The board inquired about a dispersal plan that the venue had not submitted as previously requested. The venue’s representatives acknowledged the oversight and committed to providing the plan. They also explained that while they had worked with the artist before, the arrangements for this specific event were not adequately communicated, which led to the unforeseen situation with the band.

In another discussion, the board examined an incident at a bar known as Medio, where a patron was assaulted with a glass bottle. Attorney Tyler Hensler and manager Louie Maldonado represented the establishment. Officer Galdo Barez read the police report detailing the incident on August 15, 2025, around 1:58 a.m. The report described officers responding to a fight at the venue, finding a male victim with a severe head injury. The suspect resisted arrest and exhibited aggressive behavior. Hensler defended the actions of the staff, asserting that they appropriately contacted the police following the incident, and the suspect’s violent reaction was unexpected.

The board also addressed concerns at Estella, an establishment cited for operating after posted hours. Officers responded to a disturbance call and found the venue allegedly allowing patrons inside after the designated closing time. The assistant manager denied the claims, but officers noticed a crowd leaving from the basement, obscured by a curtain, and observed tables with small, clear cups scattered throughout the area. Previous incidents at Estella, including a call about an individual with a firearm, added to the board’s concerns about the venue’s compliance with licensing regulations.

Further, the board discussed an incident involving Newa Liquors, Inc., also known as Walsh Wine and Spirits, where alcohol was sold to a minor. The manager admitted to making an error in judgment regarding the identification presented by the underage patron, Elizabeth Denalova, who attempted to use an expired New York driver’s license. The board emphasized the need for stricter verification measures, especially given the store’s proximity to college campuses, to prevent similar violations.