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, February 29, 2012 at 9:15 A.M.

PRESENT:        William Gerweck, Commissioner

Carrie L. Taylor, Commissioner

                        H. Norman Wilson, Jr., Esquire

                        Earl R. Bradford, Chief Alcohol Beverage Inspector

Chairman Tim Snelling was excused; Commissioner Gerweck was Acting Chairman, he announced that Chairman Snelling was unable to attend and if there was anyone who wished to have a full Board they would need to reschedule. 

CHANGE OF MODE OF OPERATION – FD3Donald S. Hicks, President; E. Rosemary Culley, Secretary; Norman E. Marquess, Treasurer; William M. Singerly, Steam Fire Engine and Hook & Ladder Company #1 of Elkton, Cecil County, T/A Singerly Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 444, 300 Newark Avenue, Elkton, MD 21921

No one was present - reschedule

NEW LICENSE APPLICATIONApplication received from Kevin Morgan; Frank Broomall; John Giordano; Stripers, LLC, T/A Schaefer's Restaurant; 208 Bank Street, Chesapeake City, MD 21915 for issuance of a new Class BLX Beer, Wine & Liquor Alcoholic Beverage License.

Kevin Morgan, Frank Broomall and John Giordano appeared before the Board; the applicants were duly sworn by the Clerk.  Mr. Wilson read the public notice which appeared on dates of February 15 and 22, 2012.  The applicants and several members of the audience were duly sworn by the Clerk.  The fully executed application packet with proper fees included: Zoning Certificate signed by Bill Miners, Chairman P&Z, Town of Chesapeake City; signatures of 10 registered voters and property owners in District 2-1; Alcohol Awareness Training; Certification Form stating the nature of the business will be Restaurant with Alcohol Sales; Validation for Sunday Sales requesting on and off-premise sales; Worker's Compensation to be submitted at a later date.  Mr. Wilson asked each applicant if the information submitted on the application is true today as when they signed it January 31, 2012, each applicant stated yes.  Commissioner Gerweck asked when they planned on opening; Mr. Broomall stated the middle of May, they will open the restaurant first and then work on the banquet hall.  Mr. Wilson asked about the $600,000 needed for a BLX license; this information was submitted with the application.  Mr. Wilson asked if they will have more than 100 seats; Mr. Giordano stated they will have 119 in the restaurant and 225 in the banquet hall.  With no further questions, Commissioner Taylor made a motion to approve the BLX license with the condition they submit a copy of the Occupancy Permit; Commissioner Gerweck seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the application.

MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT – B-121James William Kuhn and Elizabeth Rose Kuhn; Bainbridge Grill, Inc. T/A Bainbridge Grill, 1195 Tome Highway, Port Deposit, Maryland 21904

James and Elizabeth Kuhn appeared before the Board to present a management agreement with Richard Baruschka.  Mr. Baruschka stated they have had a German restaurant in Aberdeen; they have given that license up and plan to open at the Bainbridge Grill location next week.  Commissioner Gerweck asked Mr. Kuhn if he was aware he was still ultimately responsible for the license if Mr. Baruschka commits any violations; Mr. Kuhn stated he understood that the management agreement cleared him of any violation; Mr. Wilson stated Mr. Kuhn is the licensee and is ultimately responsible for the license.  Ms. Coyle reminded them they will need to renew the license in March.  With no further discussion, Commissioner Taylor made a motion to approve the management agreement conditioned upon submitting any permits they may need prior to opening; Commissioner Gerweck seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the management agreement.

UPDATE – GRANTED EXTENSION THROUGH RENEWAL

Pamela Geracimos, Member; P&D Investments, LLC; T/A Village Beer, Wine & Spirits, Alexandra's Village, 701 Pulaski Highway, Elkton, Maryland 21921 - A-35
Ms. Coyle explained she has spoken with Morgan from Mr. Geracimos' office; his mother-in-law is undergoing some medical procedures and he was unable to attend the hearing, however he is still interested in keeping the license another year.  The Board would like to discuss this with Mr. Geracimos and he will need to appear at the March 2012 meeting.

Thomas Dye, T/A Pizza Hut, Maple Heights Drive, Rising Sun, MD 21911 – B-133

Thomas Dye appeared before the Board; he stated the Town of Rising Sun has awarded their sewer plant contract and the projected opening for that is May 2014; he understands they may be able to release some hookups prior to that time.  He continued he is no longer in communication with Pizza Hut, however he would like to keep the license and is hopeful communication may be able to open again in the future with Pizza Hut.  With no further discussion, Commissioner Taylor made a motion to approve the extension through renewal 2013; Commissioner Gerweck seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the extension through renewal 2013.

UPDATE – FIRE – December 2010 – Hardship Extension through June 2012Nancy Clark, Owner; James R. Ford, Manager; Rendezvous Brothers Restaurant  LLC, T/A Rendezvous Inn, 362 Front Street, Perryville, MD 21903

CHANGE OF OFFICERSKonstantinos Tzitzifas; Sharon Krummel; PGG, LLC; T/A The Club at Patriots Glen, 300 Patriots Way, Elkton, MD - GC-3

"Gus" Tzitzifas appeared before the Board with Sharon Krummel, his new manager.  Ms. Krummel stated she is a lifelong resident of Cecil County; she oversees the golf course and the tavern.  The Board asked what the hours at the bar is; Ms. Krummel stated they close at 9:30 PM unless customers warrant staying open.  They do rent the room to groups, including the University of Delaware students.  Commissioner Gerweck reminded them the primary use of the license is a golf course, or a 19^th hole, it is not to be used for a night club.  Commissioner Taylor stated she is concerned about carding and reminded them to card everyone.  With no further discussion, Commissioner Taylor made a motion to approve the change of officers; Commissioner Gerweck seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the change of officers.

UPDATE – Catered Event Use – B-93Dorothy Walker; Owner, DWPC, LLC, Wesley Walker, Operating Manager; T/A Pub On Main, 126 E. Main Street, Elkton, MD 21921 Lease Management Agreement

No one was present – no catering event permits will be approved until someone appears to discuss this matter.

Public Comments

Fred Mc Donald appeared before the Board with concerns regarding Bittersweet Golf Club.  He stated he lives the closest to Bittersweet.  He stated he doesn't understand how if the Board ordered the activity to stop, how it continues.  Commissioner Gerweck asked how often this occurs; Mr. McDonald stated every weekend, though it used to be every Friday and Saturday night, recently it has decreased to one of those nights.  He stated neighbors have told him from two streets away they are hearing the noise.  Commissioner Taylor asked how long he has lived in the neighborhood; Mr. McDonald stated 22 years and this is the first time they have had any issue.  He stated he and his neighbors understand they hold events there such as weddings, etc, but this is beyond that.  He stated he and a group of neighbors will be present at the violation hearing and they are prepared to submit in writing a petition against the renewal of the license.

General Business

·                    Approve Minutes

·                    Catering Events

There was a lengthy discussion regarding catered events

·                    Specials

Old Business

New Business

With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned.

BY:

William Gerweck, Acting Chairman

ATTEST:

Robin S. Coyle, Administrative Assistant