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 Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 9:15 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

Mr. Wilson announced the Board received notice earlier in the week from Michael Smiegel, the attorney for Bittersweet Golf Course, stating the hearing will need to be rescheduled according to CJP 6-402 et. seq. as he is currently serving in the Maryland General Assembly and will be unavailable until after April 23, 2012.  Mr. Fred McDonald spoke on behalf of the residents of the Brantwood community stating how upset they are that once again the licensees have put the hearing off, disregarding the Board.  He stated they have a petition with over 100 signatures regarding the noise, as well as a petition requesting the Board not renew the license.  The Bittersweet violation hearings will be rescheduled for April 25, 2012.

9:15 AM

NEW LICENSE APPLICATIONApplication received from Alka Arora, Managing Member; Lora Lee Davis, Resident Agent; Riddhi Siddhi, LLC, T/A Park Liquors, 68 Heather Lane, Suite 40, Perryville Outlets Mall, Perryville, MD 21903 for issuance of a new Class "A" Beer, Wine & Liquor Alcoholic Beverage License

Alka Arora appeared before the Board with attorney Robert Jones; Mr. Wilson announced Lora Lee Davis is ill; she is in the hallway, if needed.  The applicant was duly sworn by the Clerk.  Mr. Wilson read the public notice which appeared on dates of Friday, March 16, 2012 and Friday, March 23, 2012.  The applicant was duly sworn by the Clerk.  The fully executed application packet with proper fees included: Zoning Certificate signed by Denise Breder, Town Administrator, Town of Perryville; signatures of 10 registered voters and property owners in District 7-2; Alcohol Awareness Training; Certification Form stating the nature of the business will be package store; Validation for Sunday Sales requesting 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 February 24, 2012, the applicant stated yes.  Mr. Jones asked Ms. Arora how long she has lived in the United States; Ms. Arora stated 12 years.  Mr. Jones stated they hope to begin receiving orders within the next two weeks.  Carol, the manager from Perryville Outlets spoke in support of the license being issued.  With no further questions or comments, Commissioner Taylor made a motion to approve the issuance of the license; Commissioner Gerweck seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the application.

NEW LICENSE APPLICATIONApplication received from Guiseppe Dimeo, Member; Bella Pizza, LLC, T/A Bella Pizza, 4 West Cecil Avenue, North East, MD 21901 for a new Class "B" Beer, Wine & Liquor Alcoholic Beverage License

Guiseppe Dimeo appeared before the Board with attorney, Karl Fockler.  The applicant was duly sworn by the Clerk.  Mr. Wilson read the public notice which appeared on dates of Friday, March 16, 2012 and Friday, March 23, 2012.  The applicant was duly sworn by the Clerk.  The fully executed application packet with proper fees included: Zoning Certificate restricting the license to on-premise sales only signed by Betsy Vennell, Director of Planning, Town of North East; signatures of 10 registered voters and property owners in District 5-4; Alcohol Awareness Training; Certification Form stating the nature of the business will be package store; Validation for Sunday Sales requesting 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 he signed it January 9, 2012, the applicant stated yes.  Mr. Fockler asked Mr. Dimeo how long he has been in the United States; Mr. Dimeo stated since 1996 and a citizen since October 26, 2011.  Mr. Fockler asked how many seats he had in the restaurant; Mr. Dimeo stated 10 tables with four seats each.  With no further questions or comments, Commissioner Gerweck made a motion to approve the license subject to the Town of North East's restriction; Commissioner Taylor seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the application.

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

Thomas Clark appeared before the Board; he requested an extension beyond the June date that was previously granted.  He explained he has received several quotes to either rebuild the area that was burnt or tear down the remaining building and rebuild; he has not as of this time decided which way he will go.  The Board discussed that Article 2B states specifically what they can grant in the case of a fire and they have granted 18 months accordingly.  Mr. Clark then asked if he should renew the license through June and if the Board would prorate the license fee accordingly.  Chairman Snelling stated the Board is unable to do that and they cannot 'shelf' licenses, especially in areas where there are no licenses available and the decision as to whether he should renew would be his; the Board did discuss a BLX license with him.  Mr. Clark decided he will not renew the license and if there are no licenses available when he is ready, he will apply for a BLX license. 

CHANGE OF OFFICERSRequest fromBayard House Restaurant, LLC, T/A Bayard House, 11 Bohemia Avenue, Chesapeake City, MD 21915 to add Wernfried Wiesnegger to the Class "B" Beer, Wine & Liquor Alcoholic Beverage License

Attorney Robert Jones appeared before the Board; Ms. Coyle stated we have received Jennifer Wiesnegger's signature on the Change of Officers form.  Commissioner Gerweck made a motion to approve the Change of Officers and add Mr. Wiesnegger to the license; Commissioner Taylor seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the Change of Officers.

UPDATE – GRANTED EXTENSION THROUGH RENEWALPamela Geracimos, Member; P&D Investments, LLC; T/A Village Beer, Wine & Spirits, Alexandra's Village, 701 Pulaski Highway, Elkton, Maryland 21921

No one appeared.

CHANGE OF MODE OF OPERATIONDonald 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

Donald Hicks appeared before the Board; he stated the fire company has been undergoing renovations with the addition of new engine bay and stated the old engine bay will be demolished and a small banquet area will be built, however the old banquet room will not change.  Mr. Hicks requested permission to add the new addition to their license.  Chairman Snelling thanked Mr. Hicks for his service to the community.  Commissioner Taylor made a motion to approve the addition; Commissioner Gerweck seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the application.

SPECIAL WINE FESTIVAL LICENSEApplication received from Thomas P. Knight, Licensee; Jonathan A. Quiros; Brigida Quiros; Lease Managers; T/A D'Lorenzo Pizza and Grill, 15 South Main Street, Port Deposit, MD 21904 for a Special Wine Festival License, Marina Park, Port Deposit, MD 21904

Thomas Knight appeared before the Board along with several members of the Chamber of Commerce.  He stated they learned many lessons from the event last year and this year's focus will be on MD wine.  Each of the Chamber members spoke in support of the wine festival and stated they are looking forward to it.  Mr. Wilson stated the Board has received several letters of support, including a letter from Town of Port Deposit mayor, Wayne Tome, Sr.  Kevin Atticks, MD Wine Association appeared; he stated he is not here in opposition of the event, he stated he is unsure of the application process, it is not as clear as in other counties.  He understands the law as the Board may only approve one event in the county.  There was a discussion about the writing of the law, of which he had a hand in writing.  Commissioner Taylor made a motion to approve the Wine Festival license for the event on September 8, 2012 in Port Deposit; Commissioner Gerweck seconded that motion and the Board then voted unanimously to approve the application.

VIOLATIONConstance M. Pawley, Member; 1190 Augustine Herman LC, Licensee; Francis P. Connors, Robert J. Ewing, CEO, Liberty Management, Lease Managers; T/A Bittersweet Golf Club @ Brantwood, 1190 Augustine Herman Highway, Elkton, MD 21921 - POSTPONED

Public Comments

Bill Conowitz - lives 500 yards away, he definitely can hear the music – he asked what responsibility the Board members have for driving under the influence?

Eileen Viars – she lives at 484 Elk Forest Road and can definitely hear the music from her home

Michael – does music and understands music – Chesapeake Inn took control of their music and does a great job controlling the volume – they can do the same

General Business

·                     Approve Minutes – January & February

The minutes for January and February were approved.

·                     Catering Events

·                     Specials

Old Business

New Business

·                     Catered Event license

·                     Lease Management Agreement – JR's Discount Liquors with Danielle Contreras – Commissioner Gerweck made a motion to approve – Commissioner Taylor seconded – the Board voted unanimously to approve

·                      

BY:

Tim Snelling, Chairman

ATTEST:

Robin S. Coyle, Administrative Assistant