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Essex North Shore school granted one-day beer-and-wine license for Larkin Gala
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Summary
The board approved a one-day beer-and-wine license for Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School's Larkin Gala on Sept. 27, after staff and board members discussed capacity, service area and a prior complaint reported to DCAM.
Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School received approval from the board on Sept. 25 for a one-day beer-and-wine license for its Larkin Gala set for Sept. 27, 2025. The event will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with guests departing by 10 p.m., and Vinwood Caterers will provide alcohol service.
The license matter was handled at the Daniel J. Toomey Hearing Room, where school Superintendent Director Heidi Riccio told the board the gala will have roughly 85 to 110 guests and a cocktail-style layout with a mix of high-top tables and four 60-inch round tables seating 10 each. “We are really only going to serve approximately between 85 to 110 guests,” Riccio said.
Board members were given a parking plan and an event log that Riccio said she drafted to record any phone calls or concerns. Riccio said previous live events at the Larkin had no complaints and that students help staff and clean up after events. Stacy Johnson, director of catering sales for Vinwood Caterers, said the company holds a caterer’s 12C license that allows service at private, invitation-only events and that staff misunderstood this gala as invite-only until late in planning. “We found out I found out last, like, late in the game that it was, open to the public,” Johnson said.
The board asked several clarifying questions during the discussion. Gardner (board member) asked whether alcohol service included the patio or grounds and requested the clerk prepare a formal delineation of the service area for future events. “Is it within the walls? Does it include the patio? Does it include the grounds? And I think those are important aspects of a liquor service,” Gardner said. Gardner asked the clerk, through the town manager, to prepare recommended language identifying the service area for liquor consumption when the applicant returns with future requests.
Board member Dan disclosed he is vice president of the Danvers Historical Society and noted a recent complaint had been reported to the Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM). Riccio acknowledged she had heard of a complaint and said DCAM had been made aware of the school’s plans. “We did check with DCAM,” Riccio said, and added that the school committee had approved the Larkin use and alcohol service with Vinwood as the 12C operator.
Mike (board member) asked whether a police detail would be required; Riccio said a police detail was not required. Riccio also clarified that the LLC the school had formed earlier this year to pursue a full liquor license has been disbanded and that the school district is the applicant for the one-day license.
Following questions, a motion to approve the one-day beer-and-wine license was made and seconded. The board approved the license by voice vote; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally.
The board’s direction for staff to provide clearer written guidance on permitted service areas is expected to shape how future license requests for on-campus venues are handled. The school is scheduled to report back to the board in a future meeting on how the Larkin has operated and any challenges encountered.
