[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6611705,"mediaKeyId","2893088-9772916feecc808e4dfd7311548f834f","parentId",2893088,"title","Cranston licensing committee delays liquor, entertainment decisions for Ralph Square business after residents object","audioSeconds",2476,"startMs",1949000,"endMs",4425000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2893088-9772916feecc808e4dfd7311548f834f&start=1949&end=4425","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2893088-9772916feecc808e4dfd7311548f834f/thumbnail_1949000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6611705/Cranston-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Cranston-licensing-committee-delays-liquor-entertainment-decisions-for-Ralph-Square-business-after-residents-object","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611705-a1cf713b3f79c45642838ce4271856b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174044&Signature=dbRvKiVzSUntk~TuZkDKRZF2SMGD5GfWrdU65UCLE37bmj1InTXVTOgY4q4IIqqxGS6Wedhhy~L-WRY419ll3bocre6Bw6yr2G-IERT4Cxwzrdxx2mzzKNrOgdttS-xVeLTdySR57haBufSc0q2K8K9FHpwMkLXbd9DmojspTMXO4XC06bWPOmi3fzlzHIjah14FkJTFTofRRdRMuVDJF4-cdHSc0iyZHEdFCoIr-Al0ZMHngebaU0UtUtvsZDPrTJzH2g~BkpUoDEYASo2QJ09oyHjihVoXxST-tyYYFT6P~Bo2zhb4C7Z7HZA~nekmJlM2YINzwObT0yVLPxlwCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author"," City of Cranston","date","2025-04-08T00:22:30.537Z","article","The Cranston services and licensing committee on April 7 continued consideration of applications for an entertainment permit and a class B liquor license linked to a business at the Ralph Square area after multiple neighbors described persistent late-night noise, traffic safety risks and sanitation problems around the property.

Residents including Ethan Hartley of Lexington Avenue and Rebecca Hartley told the committee the business’s operation has produced late-night music, parking and trash problems that have persisted under the current ownership. “To grant a liquor and an entertainment license you’d have to clear a huge burden of responsibility,” Ethan Hartley said, urging the committee to withhold approval until the business demonstrated it would operate responsibly.

The committee was also addressed by several nearby homeowners who described live music running into the early morning, cars speeding near children, and incidents they said occurred in the business’s back parking area. “This is where residents have chosen to make their homes and to start families,” Vanessa Runlett said. “By passing this, you’re going to be driving away actual Cranston residents.”

Applicants said they are under a purchase-and-sale agreement and a lease and that they intend to take ownership in mid-April. The prospective operators said they own and operate other restaurants and asked for time to prove they would improve the property, comply with inspections and address neighborhood concerns. The applicants acknowledged they were not yet the licensed owner and that outstanding issues remain, including a missing fire-safety inspection and health and occupancy clearances.

Solicitor advice and council members’ questions focused on three specific procedural and legal issues: (1) the property has been operating without a current fire-safety inspection, (2) the applicants were not yet in full possession of the business, and (3) a potential proximity issue involving a place of worship on or near the site that could bar issuance of a liquor license if the church or school is within 200 feet of the premises under state law. The city solicitor said the church question required additional verification before a final licensing decision.

Council members and the solicitor urged the applicants to obtain the required inspections and to meet with neighbors to try to resolve outstanding complaints. Council members repeatedly said they were sympathetic to small-business applicants but would expect strict compliance with public-safety and licensing rules before a liquor license would be approved.

The committee voted to continue three license items tied to the location — the indoor entertainment license, a new class BV liquor license application, and a class BV transfer/variant — to the next monthly meeting, giving applicants and staff time to secure a fire inspection, provide Department of Health and certificate-of-occupancy clearances, and present documented evidence of ownership or lease status and any lien discharges. The committee also asked the fire marshal and city staff to follow up and to report at the next hearing.

The licensing committee’s action preserved the applicants’ ability to return for consideration but left the licenses unresolved pending the evidence and neighbor outreach the committee requested.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to continue indoor entertainment license for the Ralph Square property: continued (roll call recorded as: Councilwoman Graziano — yes; Councilman Andujar — yes; Councilman Ritz — yes; Councilman Traficante — yes; Council Vice President Wall — yes; Councilwoman Haroyan — yes; Council President Reno — yes). Outcome: continued to next meeting.
- Motion to continue new class BV liquor license application for the same property: continued (same roll-call recorded). Outcome: continued to next meeting.
- Motion to continue class BV transfer/related license requests for the same property: continued (same roll-call recorded). Outcome: continued to next meeting.

Why it matters: liquor and entertainment permits directly affect neighborhood character, public safety and enforcement workload. Committee members said they want to see required inspections and evidence of responsible management before authorizing late-night music or alcohol sales.

What’s next: applicants were told to secure fire, health and occupancy clearances, resolve outstanding liens or bills if any, and to meet with neighbors; the licensing committee will revisit the items at its next scheduled meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 7, 2025, Claims, Safety Services & Licenses Committee and Finance Committee Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","The Cranston services and licensing committee on April 7 continued consideration of applications for an entertainment permit and a class B liquor license linked to a business at the Ralph Square area after multiple neighbors described persistent late-night noise, traffic safety risks and sanitation problems around the property.","taxTitle","Cranston City, Providence County, Rhode Island","taxId",4549,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6611696,"Finance committee ratifies labor contracts, confirms DPW director in package vote",374,5174000,5548000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2893088-9772916feecc808e4dfd7311548f834f&start=5174&end=5548","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2893088-9772916feecc808e4dfd7311548f834f/thumbnail_5174000.jpg","/articles/6611696/Cranston-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Finance-committee-ratifies-labor-contracts-confirms-DPW-director-in-package-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611696-c252d3aa68274756870a6bfec8c4c4c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174044&Signature=WKztzu2Z7zKSXWqhr5OszhZn1IjBuriag9cB16j3MfuuAXIH2zKlQYQF~YI6AjZBYnnEvsoRZYESc4oQqgRgllPXMA3dNO6f7ZKJdnGojL0xF4IYL6lH~9V3OyiBvCuZJ09rdj3E0S~ydBOKEVzslIceKWmDz9u-wZeb5WmiTO3KpVcx5aAHrikonCa7hov-O1DImyCbRx0OlWGNUvZiYlYlid5Iy~oZkNw4ECitmZ2qR27jip-y8-jrv73sZM4HRyH1zOzNb46rRHUrer9k8fkav7Rz2P0FOKpYVYkCicgRI31eyEDQ-~RdgRZzCLJ~e8-xEZDiWFOEvLVWX~vOvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cranston’s finance committee on April 7 approved union contracts that cover municipal employees and gave the mayor’s nominee for public works director the committee’s assent, moving both labor agreements and the appointment to the full council for final action.

Union contracts: The committee approved ordinances ratifying two collective bargaining agreements. Ordinance 32-501 ratified the agreement with Teamsters Local 251 covering municipal employees for the period July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027. Ordinance 32-502 (numbering in the packet) ratified the Laborers Local 1322 contract for the same period. Public commenters representing labor — including Arthur Jordan, business manager of the Rhode Island Laborers District Council and a longtime Cranston resident, and Gary Da Silva of Teamsters Local 251 — urged the committee to approve the contracts, saying both sides negotiated in good faith.

The committee voted on the ordinances by roll call; both ratifications passed on recorded votes.

DPW appointment: The committee also considered Mayor Hopkins’ nomination of Frank Correo to serve as director of the Department of Public Works. Administration staff described Correo’s decades-long engineering career at the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and his recent temporary service with Cranston’s public works department. The mayor’s office said Correo agreed to forego roughly $27,000 of city-paid medical and dental benefits in exchange for a portion of the proposed compensation, and that FY2026 budget planning includes a $172,000 line for the position.

Correo addressed the committee, detailed his years overseeing major state projects and said he planned to prioritize operations, safety and responsiveness. Council members asked procedural questions about funding and whether a chief-engineer slot would still be filled; administration representatives said funds exist in the current departmental budget and that the chief engineer position remains a planned hire. Multiple council members praised Correo’s qualifications and recommended moving the nomination forward.

The committee voted to approve the mayor’s appointment by roll call during the meeting. The items — the two contract ratifications and the appointment — will appear on the council calendar for final action.

Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 32-501 (Teamsters Local 251 collective-bargaining agreement, 07/01/2024–06/30/2027): approved by roll call.
- Ordinance 32-502 (Laborers Local 1322 collective-bargaining agreement, 07/01/2024–06/30/2027): approved by roll call.
- Advice and consent to Mayor Hopkins’ appointment of Frank Correo as public works director: approved by roll call; committee members noted budget provisions and asked administration to confirm salary schedule mechanics before final council vote.

Why it matters: The contracts set pay, terms and staffing conditions for significant swaths of Cranston’s municipal workforce. The confirmed DPW director will oversee highways, refuse, fleet and stormwater services in the city’s largest operational department, affecting service delivery across neighborhoods.

What’s next: The ratification ordinances and the appointment move to the full City Council for final action; administration staff said they will confirm precise budget coding and timing in advance of the council vote.","Cranston’s finance committee on April 7 ratified collective bargaining agreements with Teamsters Local 251 and Laborers Local 1322 and gave advice and consent to Mayor Hopkins’ appointment of Frank Correo as director of public works; members emphasized need for continuity, verified funding and asked for procedural follow-ups.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6611700,"Licensing committee approves multiple business licenses, sets conditions and continuances",3280,2492000,5772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2893088-9772916feecc808e4dfd7311548f834f&start=2492&end=5772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2893088-9772916feecc808e4dfd7311548f834f/thumbnail_2492000.jpg","/articles/6611700/Cranston-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Licensing-committee-approves-multiple-business-licenses-sets-conditions-and-continuances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611700-c47b24b68036153d5ea5d7f14683f4d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174044&Signature=eDJV77S5ivo6w-eWRuy8-xd33fTJuzy57MPz80X~lkSqRzp26LsSwcnsWhg5khI8xozskyq~rQs8jcYBy62zYKyw7wHh2DHiYHS9FgzFP15ztoy1F-7ykL6c9wm4TT~L6nZ0E301e2WqNt8MT~uF81k2eQjd2uJKks6qGvDSV4DoV7CJGgSv7hJrLqJsClUShuo2CAWRaqfbwBoKVTmzHyL-tYagbGRq4~b5O9c4-S4SM~A~TtJGdesIdCBrIwbpjWB34NTBxc~Cqgx1NvgKpPXiCjSdkzDJ6NwsDSX2ku8QJReXMrObyRO4cvfEmu-dXq~UkzPRzyscPRDlpuTGKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cranston services and licensing committee on April 7 approved a batch of holiday and food-service licenses, and postponed or approved others with conditions, requiring applicants to provide health, occupancy and tax clearances before final license issuance.

The committee approved additional business hours for Abby Honeydew Donuts (opening hours adjusted to 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily) after applicant Lexi Spencer said the shop planned to move to the stated schedule. The committee also handled multiple applications and renewals: transfers and new class B requests, mobile food establishment renewals and a block of small-package holiday sales licenses that the solicitor said could be taken together. Where required clearances were missing, the committee either continued the application for one month or approved licenses subject to receipt of the Rhode Island Department of Health inspection or Division of Taxation good-standing letters.

Notable items and outcomes included:
- A transfer for Touch Lounge (961 Dyer Avenue) was permitted to proceed subject to full discharge of an alleged outstanding bill of $328.05; the committee allowed a conditional approval with instruction that evidence of payment be filed with the clerk’s office before the license takes effect. Applicants said they had escrowed funds at purchase to cover potential outstanding bills.
- Molino’s LLC (889 Dyer Avenue) was approved for a new class B license subject to receiving the Division of Taxation’s letter of good standing; the committee recorded a motion to approve contingent on that letter and on the city receiving any required clearances.
- Several new and renewal licenses were bundled and approved as a block where they involved packaged goods rather than prepared food; the committee took smaller items (mobile vendors, holiday sales) as a block vote.
- Multiple pending applications (including Atwood Greenhouse and several new food-service businesses such as Bubba Cafe and Artestian Bites) were continued to allow applicants time to secure Department of Health approvals, certificates of occupancy or other outstanding items. Director-level staff committed to conducting site visits where compliance questions arose.

The committee’s approach combined conditional approvals when missing items were likely to be supplied promptly (for example, applicants scheduled for next-week DOH inspections) and continuances when more complex zoning, fire-safety or tax issues required follow-up.

Votes at a glance (selected)
- Abby Honeydew Donuts, additional hours: approved (unanimous roll call recorded).
- Touch Lounge transfer (961 Dyer Avenue): motion to approve subject to discharge of outstanding lien — approved (roll call recorded); license effective on proof of discharge.
- Molino’s LLC new class B: approved subject to Division of Taxation letter of good standing — approved (roll call recorded).
- Phoenix Restaurant & Lounge (961 Dyer Avenue) indoor entertainment (Fri–Sat 10 p.m.–1 a.m.): approved (ward council member indicated support; roll call recorded).
- Bubba Cafe (743 Reservoir Avenue): continued to next month for state health and certificate-of-occupancy items.
- Artesian Bites and multiple new cafés: continued to next meeting to allow DOH inspections and CO process to complete.

Committee members and staff repeatedly encouraged applicants to complete required municipal inspections (fire marshal, building department) and state health approvals prior to opening or before license issuance. In cases where outstanding payments or liens were reported by objectors or by counsel, the committee used conditional approvals or continuances to ensure the issues were resolved before licenses became effective.

Why it matters: The committee’s decisions both approve new small businesses and establish enforceable conditions that protect public health and neighborhood quality of life. The mix of conditional approvals and continuances reflects the committee’s emphasis on documentation from city and state agencies before final licensing is granted.","Cranston’s services and licensing committee approved several license requests and continued others subject to tax, health and fire clearances; approvals included extended hours for Abby Honeydew Donuts and several pending restaurant/food-service licenses subject to Department of Health or Division of Taxation documentation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cranston licensing committee delays liquor, entertainment decisions for Ralph Square business after residents object

Finance committee ratifies labor contracts, confirms DPW director in package vote

Licensing committee approves multiple business licenses, sets conditions and continuances