Town council delays decision on two liquor‑store applications after lengthy public hearing

Scituate Town Council members heard more than two hours of testimony on competing applications for an open class A retail liquor license and voted to continue both public hearings to March 13, 2025.

At an expanded public‑hearing segment, the council considered an application by Nicholas Izzie for premises described as General Country Liquors at 8 Hope Furnace Road and an application by Steven Kitson for premises described as Chopmist Hill Liquors at 1199 Chopmist Hill Road. Both applicants made presentations, answered questions from the council and from the building inspector, and faced objections and procedural challenges raised by the other applicant and by council members.

Attorney Seth A. Perlmutter, representing Nicholas Izzie, described the history of Mr. Izzie’s property and business, including a 2016 fire and subsequent rebuilding efforts, and said the applicant intends to operate a permanent larger store once construction is complete. Perlmutter said Mr. Izzie expects to open the larger store by mid‑summer and asked the council to preserve the license while he completes the build‑out.

Town building inspector Mike Diario testified that the smaller unit at 8 Hope Furnace currently requires a change of occupancy classification from “business” to “mercantile” under the Rhode Island State Building Code and that an architect’s plans, a building permit and a final inspection would be required before a certificate of occupancy (CO) could be issued. He said plumbing, electrical and mechanical inspections already occurred and “none were found” to have glaring issues, but a building permit and plan review were still needed.

Attorney Timothy Payne represented Steven Kitson and told the council Mr. Kitson has a lease and financing in place for a 1,300‑square‑foot unit at 1199 Chopmist Hill Road and could open a store there within months if approved. Payne also told the council that state law (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 3) limits what new class A licensees may sell when a town’s population exceeds 10,000; he urged the council to consider whether combined liquor‑and‑grocery sales proposed for one applicant remain lawful.

Council members asked detailed questions about timelines, certificates of occupancy, floor plans and corporate filings. Perlmutter and Mr. Izzie acknowledged delays tied to insurance settlements, a divorce stay and weather, and said they were working to secure materials and a final CO. Mr. Kitson and his counsel presented floor plans and described past remodel experience and financing.

After discussion the council voted on a motion to grant the license to Mr. Kitson for 1199 Chopmist Hill; that motion failed on a roll call (defeated 4–3). Following further procedural votes the council rescinded the denial, then voted to continue the public hearings for both applicants to the council’s next meeting on March 13, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the high‑school auditorium so members can review statutory language and additional documentation.

Why it matters: The council is deciding which applicant will receive a scarce class A retail liquor license that has been open for years. The choice affects local retail options in Hope and North Scituate, has legal constraints under state liquor statutes and could be the subject of an administrative appeal.

What’s next: Both applicants may submit additional documents (floor plans, building permits, COs, corporate filings). The council asked for clarity on whether a new license would permit combined grocery and liquor sales under current state law.

Votes at a glance - Motion to grant the license to Steven J. Kitson for 1199 Chopmist Hill Road — motion defeated on roll call (4–3). The transcript records a roll‑call vote and states the motion was defeated 4–3. (See provenance.) - Subsequent motion to continue the public hearings for both applicants to March 13, 2025, 7 p.m., Scituate High School Auditorium — motion passed.

Speakers included in coverage: Nicholas Izzie (applicant); Seth Adam Perlmutter (attorney for Izzie); Steven J. Kitson (applicant); Timothy Payne (attorney for Kitson); Mike Diario (building inspector); Charles A. Collins Jr. (Council president); several council members and members of the public (identified in transcript).