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Taunton license board approves Holy Ghost special permit and several license changes
Summary
The City of Taunton Board of License Commissioners on April 9 approved a three-day special permit for the Holy Ghost Society and signed off on a series of administrative license changes including a DBA update, a change of manager, officer updates, and revised hours for a restaurant.
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 be stored on-site in a locked Budweiser trailer and that staff and volunteers will use wristbands to control service. The motion approving the special permit specified the event dates and times as June 20, 6 p.m. to midnight; June 21, 6 p.m. to midnight; and June 22, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The board also approved an administrative change for a restaurant listed in the record as Mekas LLC (transcript also referenced the name as "Democas LLC"). The applicant will change the DBA from "Mediterranean Grill" to "Mediterranean Bar and Grill." The board voted to approve the amendment to the business-entity information without additional conditions.
Robert Watts appeared to represent the Italian Naturalization Club on Whale Street and applied to change the club's manager. The board said the application came back for reconsideration after communication from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC). Watts confirmed prior background checks; the board approved the change of manager and a related filing updating officers and directors.
Aerie Restaurant and Catering sought and received permanent modified hours effective April 20. The board recorded the updated schedule as: Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Monday, closed; Tuesday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. The board confirmed the license will be reissued to show the new hours.
The meeting record also included a citywide communication read into the record from Mayor Shauna O'Connell, dated March 12, 2025, calling for decorum and civility at public meetings. The letter urged board and commission members to avoid personal attacks or inaccurate information and to keep remarks within the scope of their roles. "Conducting meetings in a fair, professional manner engenders trust in city government and demonstrates our commitment to the highest standards of behavior," the mayor wrote.
Votes at a glance: the board recorded unanimous affirmative votes from the two commissioners present for each action listed below. Where the transcript did not name a mover or seconder, the motion text and times are recorded as presented in the hearing record.
- Special permit for Holy Ghost Society (dates/times: June 20, 6 p.m.–12 a.m.; June 21, 6 p.m.–12 a.m.; June 22, 2 p.m.–9 p.m.) — Motion to approve recorded and adopted; alcohol to be stored in a locked Budweiser trailer on site; wristbands and designated parking to be used; outcome: approved.
- Mekas LLC (transcript also referenced as "Democas LLC") DBA change from "Mediterranean Grill" to "Mediterranean Bar and Grill" — Motion to approve amendment to business-entity information; outcome: approved.
- Change of manager for the Italian Naturalization Club (Whale Street) — Application returned for reconsideration after ABCC communication; applicant Robert Watts confirmed prior background checks; motion to approve change of manager and related change of officers/directors; outcome: approved.
- Aerie Restaurant and Catering — Permanent change of business hours effective April 20 to the schedule read into the record; motion to approve and to issue an updated license with the new hours; outcome: approved.
Clerk and staff said compliance checks are planned for the season and that outstanding notices for common victualler (common VIC) issues will receive a second notice. The board adjourned after approving the items on its agenda.
The board did not attach new conditions beyond those noted in the record (locked alcohol storage on site for the special permit and wristband controls). Where applicants were not named at the microphone, the record lists the application details but does not identify an individual representative; that absence is noted in the board minutes and here as "not specified."
