MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS
OF CECIL COUNTY

The Board of License Commissioners of Cecil County met in a regular session at the County Administrative Building, Conference Room, 200 Chesapeake Boulevard, Elk Room, Elkton, MD on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 9:00 A.M.

PRESENT:             Tim Snelling, Chairman

William Gerweck, Commissioner

Carrie L. Taylor, Commissioner

                                H. Norman Wilson, Jr., Esquire

                                Earl R. Bradford, Chief Alcohol Beverage Inspector
                                Robin Coyle, Administrative Assistant

Chairman Snelling welcomed new member, Carrie Taylor to the Board.

Update - B-142 - Paul Trapani, The Boat Warehouse, Inc., T/A Sunset Cafe, 111 River Road, Chesapeake City, MD 21915

Paul Trapani appeared before the Board; he stated he thought what he needed was Health Department approval and after speaking with Chief Bradford found that Permits & Inspections is requiring them to have an Occupancy Permit.  Mr. Trapani stated he informed P&I that they have an Occupancy Permit and P&I clarified they need a change of use.  He stated he submitted the plans with the fee on July 26, P&I said it should only take a few weeks to get the Change of Use back to him.  Commissioner Gerweck made a motion to grant a 60-day extension, Commissioner Taylor seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the 60-day extension.

Special License - Cecil County Food & Wine Festival – Application received from Thomas P. Knight, D'Lorenzo Pizza & Grill, T/A Cecil County Food & Wine Festival, @ Marina Park, South Main Street, Port Deposit, MD 21904. 

Thomas Knight appeared before the Board with Deidre Garoutte, Event Coordinator, Sam Dixon, Event Coordinator and Beth Knight.  Mr. Knight stated they are organizing the Cecil County Food & Wine Festival in Port Deposit; the event is scheduled for September 10, 2011, they will have about 15 MD wineries, wine tasting, wine to purchase, on the Northern part of the park there will be music all day.  Commissioner Taylor asked if it was controlled to a particular area; Chairman Snelling asked if it would be fenced in; Mrs. Knight stated it will be, they will be using temporary fencing, they will have one entrance into the park where they will be ID; Commissioner Taylor asked if they would be stamped or braceleted; Mr. Dixon stated they will get a yellow bracelet.  Mr. Knight stated it is, he had a drawing and went over the drawing and explained where everything would be.  He stated there is no fee for the event; it is $20 for a glass to try the wine and a separate fee for the ticket price to see George Jones.  Mr. Gerweck made a motion to approve; Commissioner Taylor seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the license.  Commissioner Taylor wished the group good luck with the event.

  Public Comments William Herold, Susky River Grille, 600 Rowland Drive, Port Deposit, MD 21904 – stated he is representing Susky River Grille and no other organization – he stated he has some concern with the "B" license which was issued to Bees Nest Express in 2004 and subsequent decision for on-premises sales and consumption.  He stated he understand that a "B" license allows this, but there is also stipulations that go with that, because of the lack of a true restaurant, it's created the ability for unfair competition, he is able to price his items substantially less than others.  He asked the Board to require all "B" licensees convert to a restaurant or the Board revert the Bees Nest license back to an "A" license.  He also asked that the Board require that someone on the license live in the area. Mr. Wilson asked Chief Bradford to explain the background on this license which was grandfathered in; Chief Bradford explained that on April 17, 1995 the Board at that time allowed all "D" licenses to become a "B" or "A" license; on February 15, 2001 the Board allowed all "A" licenses to become "B" licenses so they could have wine tastings on site; he stated in 2007 the Board has been issuing licenses in their proper classes.  Mr. Gerweck stated the licenses are issued for the metes and bounds of the premises and the Board did not expand the usage of this license; Mr. Herold stated he understand this; however, he feels that the license is being misapplied.  Chief Bradford stated the Board will look into the applicants to ensure there is a Cecil County resident on the license. Commissioner Gerweck made a motion to go into Closed Session; Commissioner Taylor seconded that motion and the Board voted unanimously to go into Closed Session.   BY:                                                                                                                                 Tim Snelling, Chairperson   ATTEST:                                                                                                                                 Robin S. Coy