Residents’ Association Opposes New Full Liquor License

The NEWRA monthly meeting was well attended.

The NEWRA monthly meeting was well attended.

Three voting items were scheduled on the North End/Waterfront Residents’ Association monthly meeting held at the Nazzaro Community Center last Thursday, attended by over one hundred people.

Just before the meeting started NEWRA President Jim Salini handed out roses for Valentine Day to all the female members.

In addition members of RUFF handed out special cookies to everyone in attendance.

Before the three agenda items were discussed guest speakers District A-1 Commanding Officer Captain Thomas Lee and Sergeant Tom Lema discussed the new nuisance ordinance and other disorderly activities plaguing the community.

Boston Police Area A-1 Captain Thomas Lee was invited to the NEWRA meeting to explain and answer questions regarding the City’s New Nuisance Control Ordinance filed by Boston City Councilor Sal LaMattina.

Those breaking the law will be issued warnings and/or fines ranging from $100 to $300. In some cases court action could be taken.

Loud apartment and roof top parties have affected the quality of life issues in the neighborhood as well as disorderly situations stemming from people leaving lounges, restaurants and bars during early morning hours.

Lee noted that the more community groups support liquor licenses, additional seating capacity and change of hours of operation in the community the worse the quality of life in the neighborhood will get.

Salini made note that NEWRA’s nomination to serve on the Greenway Conservancy Board of Directors was confirmed by the Conservancy.

Unlike the North End/Waterfront Neighborhood Council, NEWRA voted 8-21 against a request by local resident and business owner Gerry Riccio for a new full liquor license for Gennaro’s Restaurant located at 5 North Square a stone’s throw away from Paul Revere’s House.

The eatery currently has a beer, wine and cordials license and seats 103 patrons. The restaurant has a seven day closing hour of 1am. No interior or exterior changes were proposed. The restaurant also includes six seats at a first floor bar. Local Attorney Daniel Toscano represented Riccio at the public hearing.

The Association also took a vote (7-22) to oppose a request by Frances Lauria to change the legal occupancy at 420 Commercial Street from a gas station, parking lot and offices to offices, parking lot, Segway Rentals and retail of Segway accessories.

Boston Gliders operated season tours from this location until the property owners were cited for illegal use based on a new city ordinance that was passed after the location was being used to rent Segways.

The company tour route, both 1 hour and 2 hour sessions, will only travel on one North End/Waterfront street, that being Commercial Street according to local Attorney Daniel Toscano who represented the Lauria family.

However, residents claimed that Segways travel on many local streets and even pass through local parks.

It appeared that NEWRA members were not opposed to the landlord leasing the property but clearly expressed their anti-Segway point of view based on past experiences.

A request by Alvaro Sandoval the owner of a Mexican Restaurant at 1-3 Lewis Street (formerly Nick’s Tavern) for a takeout license was approved by the Association by a vote of 23-6. The eatery will have 22 seats and will be open 7 days a week from 11am to 10pm. The owner has not applied for any type of liquor license but assured the Association he would return to the group if he does so.

The next NEWRA monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, March 14 at 7pm in the Nazzaro Community Center.

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