Taunton license board approves Holy Ghost special permit and several license changes

The City of Taunton Board of License Commissioners on April 9 approved a special-event permit for the Holy Ghost Society and several routine license changes, including a new doing-business-as name for a restaurant, a change of manager at a social club, and revised business hours for a second eatery.

The approvals matter because the special permit allows an event with on-site alcohol service and live music for several days, and the other votes update who is responsible for licensed premises and the official operating hours printed on licenses.

Paul Albernaz, identified at the hearing as "the president of the Holy Ghost Society at TON Sports," told the board the event is cultural and community-focused and occurs annually during the weeks following Easter. Albernaz said the group expects up to 350 attendees as a conservative estimate and described operations: a band on Friday and Saturday, music from about 4 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m. on one day, use of wristbands for access control, and parking managed in an opened soccer-field area. "It's cultural. We, we've been having it for the last few years there. It's basically, a way to give back to the community," Albernaz said.

The board noted that alcohol for the Holy Ghost event will…