WESTFIELD – The License Commission routinely conducts informational hearings to determine if a licensed establishment violated the state law or commission policies to ensure the good order and public safety.
Last night the commission requested three licensees to discuss situations documented in Westfield Police Department reports involving intoxicated subjects and disturbances. What is unusual is that last night the commissioners commended the licensees for the action taken by management and staff to deal with those situations.
Bill Boisseau, the owner of the 7B’s pub on Southampton Road, appeared before the board to explain an incident in which a patron, asked to leave the establishment, pulled a fire alarm near the exit. That incident was recorded on a new security video system.
Officers responding found an intoxicated subject sitting in a car waiting for someone to come to take him home. Officers transported the subject. A second subject was located sleeping in a vehicle at a nearby commercial garage.
The Commission commended Boisseau for taking the initiative and making the investment to have the security system installed at his business.
Lori Lucia, the owner of Shenanigan’s at 150 Elm Street, appeared to discuss action taken following a disturbance in the Franklin Street municipal parking lot, located behind the bar. The police reported gathering of 30 to 40 young adults shortly after the bars closed.
Lucia said that she hired additional staff, “doormen to ensure that patrons leave quietly.”
The commission commended Lucia because “the action taken by you is what we would have recommended,” Chairman Christopher Mowatt said.
Commissioner Edward Diaz said that the parking lot is used by patrons of several liquor serving establishments, all of which close at about the same time.
“I don’t want to throw everything onto you,” Diaz said. “There are several establishments in that area and nearby housing occupied by college students. That whole parking lot is an issue, so the police are patrolling it often. There is no way to pinpoint where that that crowd came from.”
Melissa LaPointe, the owner of the Maple Leaf on Arnold Street appeared before the commission to discuss the third incident, a fight in which patron punched another patron and quickly left the establishment. Both patrons are Southwick residents.
Staff immediately reported the incident to police and provided a description of the black GMC pick-up truck which was located within several minutes on School Street by responding officers. A Southwick man was charged with assault and trespassed from the bar.
“This discussion is to find out how you are doing with the patron increase since the closing of Tommy D’s,” Mowatt said. “Thanks for coming in to give us an update. You have done a good job with how quickly you notified the police.”
