The most significant item on the agenda was the request from the Liberal Club regarding the Holy Ghost Feast of Trinidad, scheduled for August 30th, 31st, and September 1st, 2024. Kevin Palmer represented the club, seeking to extend the hours of operation from the usual 8:00 PM closing time to midnight on September 1st, 2024. Palmer clarified that the outside liquor permit hours would be 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM on August 30th, 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM on August 31st, and 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM on September 1st. He noted that the previous year, the feast lasted until 11:00 PM, but the bar closed at 8:00 PM, causing a disconnect in expectations. After a discussion about operational hours and the need for police detail, the board voted unanimously to grant the one-day permit and extend the hours for the Liberal Club.

In another significant decision, the board addressed an application for a Class II license for Yan Co Automotive on Broadway. Brandon Johnson and Angelo Johnson represented the business. They confirmed the location of the establishment, noting it has seen various call-outs in past years. The proposed hours of operation were stated as Monday through Friday, from 9 AM to 5 PM, with weekends off. An exchange occurred regarding the history of the lot and the number of vehicles that had previously been present there. Members of the board expressed concerns about the density of vehicles on the lot, questioning whether it could become cluttered if the full capacity was utilized.

The applicants initially maintained they would keep the number of vehicles to 40 but later requested to increase that number to 55. The board deliberated on the appropriateness of the request, contemplating the potential impact on the area. A board member suggested that the number of cars allowed should not exceed 50 to prevent overcrowding, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a clean and organized appearance. The applicants agreed to the stipulation of a maximum of 50 vehicles for sale on the lot. Following this agreement, the board moved to a vote, and the motion to grant the Class II license with the specified vehicle limit was passed.

The board also considered a permit application from Troy City Brewery for a food truck festival on August 29, 2024. Michael Ferreira stated this was an additional event added to previous permits, with liquor service hours set from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The board remarked on the brewery’s history of compliance and lack of issues with prior permits, leading to a quick motion to grant the permit.

Christopher Martin of Can Heat sought a one-day pouring permit for an event at the City Pier on August 24, 2024. The hours were adjusted from the application’s original hours of 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, now set for 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM. After confirming that the applicant was familiar with the necessary regulations, the motion to grant the permit was made and approved without opposition.

Shannon Reposo from Primo Hospitality Solutions requested a one-day liquor permit for August 29, 2024. The proposed hours were clarified to be from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, consistent with the Troy City Brewery’s event. The board expressed no concerns, leading to another unanimous motion to grant the permit.

The discussion then shifted to a new business application from Ninestar International for a common victualer’s license on Martine Street. Linda T. Coen introduced herself and explained that the business was just starting up, with a proposed capacity of 20 patrons. The hours of operation were stated as Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The board confirmed there were no objections from the police department regarding the application. The motion to grant the license was made and seconded without further debate.

The final item of the meeting involved a discussion about Kebab and Curry on Bedford Street. Rashid Azim confirmed that the restaurant had been open for about eight months, despite some confusion regarding its operational status. He outlined the proposed hours of operation as 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, closed on Mondays. The board noted that police approval was already in place for this application. Following the standard procedure and without any objections, the motion was made to grant the necessary license.

The board also reviewed the status of the pocket license for Bethany’s Event Center. It was noted that the center had recently engaged an attorney, Frank, who submitted a request to table the matter. This prompted a discussion on the legalities surrounding the license, with a board member indicating that the license had not been utilized for years, which raised concerns. The board acknowledged that it is against the law to hold on to a license without proper use, and a letter had been sent to the owners to clarify the requirements they must meet. The board expressed a desire to see the license put to use, referencing the scarcity of available licenses in the area. A motion was made to table the discussion until the next meeting, which was seconded and passed unanimously.