[{"_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",6185361,"mediaKeyId","5082419-33ade7c52f1f400daadc7a1f2e3d8a75","parentId",5082419,"title","Commission accepts law department memo on underage presence in licensed establishments; commissioners debate approach","audioSeconds",213,"startMs",1000000,"endMs",1213000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5082419-33ade7c52f1f400daadc7a1f2e3d8a75&start=1000&end=1213","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5082419-33ade7c52f1f400daadc7a1f2e3d8a75/thumbnail_1000000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6185361/Lowell-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Commission-accepts-law-department-memo-on-underage-presence-in-licensed-establishments-commissioners-debate-approach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185361-fce9e9a0bab25386405d2fcd5f1fe282/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141998&Signature=EaJvL~QSzDuBPHLjtTmrCVtwjW1ckWMNdWXKCva1dchZgOrcAbCOwc2eA92IrzsfnOmu-f7axOwiafsE~e2jpnDXrCDDy~SYehNZKHiRYAivAGj9BrjP2UqJ1wDf8N24P0F4-lOU0Rh5UmhRQK~m7MUXEEn4I-uH119nD-2OIso6cGrTyrpyQwXQpo6SPWCv~TqAoE-IgssKPs8Erv1mC0qYl1hFlu54v6VoR0tojeljybDx~uC9u6LMXf4NM33FavNrjULQtNIJc1ofpW-vnpJru636CDgQrnxQYaDKnGnBzQGlxuSY9obTnavWHQniHBUAeoi4oIeERqqjCRLNtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lowell City, MA","date","2025-06-26T21:55:45Z","article","The Lowell Licensing Commission on June 26 received an update from the City of Lowell law department about concerns the commission raised regarding minors and adults under the legal drinking age being present in establishments licensed to serve alcohol. The commission voted to accept and place the law department submission on file.

\"I want to thank you for what you've provided to us thus far,\" said one commissioner after the law department presentation. Attorney Wood of the city law department provided the written submission referenced by commissioners; the memo was accepted by motion and second and placed on file.

Commissioners discussed whether the city should be concerned about establishments that operate more like bars than restaurants and whether local rules should attempt to operationalize a food-to-alcohol ratio for licensed venues. \"I'm resistant to the idea of having bars ... I don't think we want to attract that kind of activity to Lowell,\" said Commissioner Churchill, who described past problems at a downtown venue and said the commission should consider the city's character. Another commissioner said the relationship between alcohol sales and food service \"would need a little further investigation and exploration,\" noting the difficulty of setting an operational ratio.

The commission did not adopt new rules at the meeting; it accepted the law department submission for further consideration and signaled continued interest from the city council in the issue. Commissioners asked for additional legal advice and for staff to return with policy options that would clarify enforcement and any regulatory limits the commission could impose.

The transcript records the broad issues discussed but does not include a citation to a specific state statute or ordinance; the law department memo was the document accepted by the commission and will be the basis for further legal and policy work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lowell License Commission - June 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Lowell Licensing Commission heard an update from the City of Lowell law department about concerns over minors and underage adults in establishments that serve alcohol, accepted the submission and discussed possible policy questions such as the role of bars versus restaurants and how to measure food-to-alcohol activity.","taxTitle","Lowell City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",4223,"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},6185366,"Commission approves one-day alcohol licenses, common-victualler permits for local businesses and events",443,573000,1016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5082419-33ade7c52f1f400daadc7a1f2e3d8a75&start=573&end=1016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5082419-33ade7c52f1f400daadc7a1f2e3d8a75/thumbnail_573000.jpg","/articles/6185366/Lowell-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Commission-approves-one-day-alcohol-licenses-common-victualler-permits-for-local-businesses-and-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185366-aa52d69c5e36b5dfe23f8bb1b03924b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141998&Signature=O~gb1yt~AGqmieF5bVxSbxmgSC0NS86LYLEam5cr3nFjDNpZ14eZTmpojNzljuY0ZTZbXjrUxI18~P5OfPCTjTG-EZNJkbdk4ylCDyr3fupkl8Xo0P8IfBvFIN6Aa0XyZxAG7T9hkaRHjybjfFd3KQHz3PyAWTy3vkj9PqnenFeb3MNX1-CmowXMC4Oo~kDB10MJ~qmIS25Dsi7RE~Qkb3CyIJBfgpkRQrZ3GXi5WbPFKfWoAlW7PQbXCrMdxHGOyupE4nGLaulALPVillJ8TvgsJ~XsFV~im-CZR~wjhrvu5C9emt00qsn8OvQJtIzUSFD1tqTM8pWKup9X3WoOOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lowell Licensing Commission on June 26 approved a series of one-day alcohol licenses, a seasonal amplified-permit for a downtown bar, and common-victualler licenses for two food businesses.

The panel ratified three one-day wine-sale licenses for Arts League of Lowell receptions, approved a seasonal amplified-permit and live/recorded music through Nov. 1 for the Sweet Bar at 500 Pawtucket Street, and granted a one-day license to Aramark to serve beer and wine at the city's July 4 fireworks at LeLacheur Park. The Arts League events include a June 21 ratification and two upcoming receptions on July 19 and Aug. 9.

The commission also approved applications from Rancho Tipico, Inc. for a common victualler license at 11 Salem Street and El Tipico Bakery, Inc. for a common victualler license at 474 Merrimack Street. Gary De Los Santos told the commission that 11 Salem Street will operate as a Spanish restaurant and 474 Merrimack Street will be a bakery. Steve Severson's applications for three one-day wine licenses at Arts League events were approved by voice vote; he listed dates and times for receptions.

Robert Doris, representing Aramark at the Salinger Center, confirmed the company will manage alcohol service for the July 4 fireworks. Hannah Lutz, owner of the Sweet Bar, appeared to confirm seasonal amplified music and said the business is open at 500 Pawtucket Street.

Most approvals were made by motion and carried by voice vote with no roll-call tallies recorded in the meeting transcript. Applicants and licensees should follow up with licensing staff for any outstanding compliance items or event-specific operational details.","The Lowell Licensing Commission approved several one-day alcohol permits, a seasonal amplified-permit for a downtown bar, and new common victualler licenses for local restaurants and a bakery.",{"_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},6185371,"Licensing panel approves Lowell Folk Festival permits, alcohol licenses for late July event",290,278000,568000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5082419-33ade7c52f1f400daadc7a1f2e3d8a75&start=278&end=568","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5082419-33ade7c52f1f400daadc7a1f2e3d8a75/thumbnail_278000.jpg","/articles/6185371/Lowell-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Licensing-panel-approves-Lowell-Folk-Festival-permits-alcohol-licenses-for-late-July-event","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185371-fae0e83ead5b9d88e8ea6a59a7298aa6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141998&Signature=Pdz49Dob43Rf-VU-xsZ~kF6TFvs7XEq213kdD8OfqRwZDiJfzGqW~JevHwe2aO-RFvNuICPkhDXdxnPy5ijLRduEUU2N8~kl8z9cIM-UZzZbfdsrjp~ARVl4xupOhwse9aS0j1jbjno0i8-d5HysUbthi3yL0jybrLdIT4BCypTLF3fOhtPao-cb8w22DDBUBxZbcUBuIkXi23yC3BnD-7Dr8kfq41akl-4sZaWiwjqXq0TVYsVewewMPVm0kF22M9y-~lRzR4cKqY2JsoPVBgiRRvc0~I1Vezb1tsDIfI1YSo41YFbOhAdDQG7~p6-6WQwBIfYUuzpB2dQtGTxYxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lowell Licensing Commission on June 26 approved special-event permits for amplified outdoor entertainment and one-day alcohol licenses for the Lowell Folk Festival, scheduled for late July 2025.

The permits cover a sound check on July 24 and festival performances July 25–27, 2025, at Boarding House Park, Saint Anne's Churchyard, JFK Plaza, Arcand Drive and Market Street. The commission approved the applications by voice vote after brief questions about hours. \"People have really been coming out of the woodworks,\" said Lee Velizis, executive director of the Lowell Festival Foundation, describing donor interest in the festival this year. \"We are hoping that that love continues to pour out.\" Corey Belanger, a festival organizer, urged residents to attend: \"We urge you all to come down and participate,\" he said.

Commissioners asked about evening sound cutoffs. Velizis said the schedule varies by stage: performances at Boarding House Park and the dance stage will run until about 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Saturday-night sets on Market Street and at Saint Anne's will end around 8:15–8:30 p.m., and Sunday programming is scheduled to conclude around 6:00 p.m. The commission approved the permits on motions that were seconded and carried by voice vote.

The approvals include the festival's request for amplified outdoor entertainment at multiple public locations and authorization for vendors to hold and dispense alcohol under eight one-day licenses previously discussed by the commission. The foundation did not provide a detailed funding breakdown at the meeting but Velizis said the group remains \"far away from meeting our goals for 2025.\" She said new, larger donors will be announced in a press release in the coming weeks.

The commission did not attach conditions to the permits at the meeting. Organizers and residents seeking more detail on vendor locations, staged sound maps or vendor alcohol setups would need to follow up with licensing staff and festival organizers before the event.

The Folk Festival is one of the city's larger summer events and uses multiple public spaces; the licensing approvals clear the way for the foundation to finalize operational planning and vendor arrangements ahead of the late-July dates.","The Lowell Licensing Commission approved special-event permits for amplified outdoor entertainment and one-day alcohol licenses for the 2025 Lowell Folk Festival, confirming dates, locations and evening sound cutoffs.","actionData","errors"]

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Commission accepts law department memo on underage presence in licensed establishments; commissioners debate approach

Commission approves one-day alcohol licenses, common-victualler permits for local businesses and events

Licensing panel approves Lowell Folk Festival permits, alcohol licenses for late July event