Chelsea licensing panel approves entertainment license for Torito Restaurant amid neighbor noise concerns

Torito Restaurant and Lounge won approval from the City of Chelsea Licensing Commission on July 14 for an amusement and entertainment license to allow televisions, amplified and background live music at its 73 Winnissimus Street location.

The approval followed a public hearing in which the applicant, represented at the meeting by an authorized representative, and the property’s condo association described efforts to limit noise and work with neighbors. The condo association’s treasurer, William Kaufman, said the association signed an agreement with the applicant that spells out quiet hours and noise controls.

Commissioners said they were sympathetic to the applicant’s plan but voiced clear reservations about late-night live music in a residential area. Chief Houghton of the Chelsea Police Department told the commission he was “definitely concerned about the live music and soccer matches,” and reminded the licensee that police and licensing staff will monitor the location for compliance.

Most discussion centered on noise mitigation and operational details. The applicant said televisions and ambient music would be the main form of entertainment and that the business would not be a nightclub: “We’re not looking for, you know, dancing or a club or or concerts of any way,” the applicant said on the record. Commissioners asked how many televisions would be installed; the applicant estimated “somewhere between 8 and 10,” with about four upstairs and four downstairs, and described the downstairs area as an enclosed lounge.

Several neighbors and the condo association sought to preserve quiet hours for residents above the restaurant. Kaufman said the association’s agreement calls for quiet hours starting at 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and said the association will enforce the agreement in good faith. Chief Houghton noted the building’s posted occupancy load of 178 people and said the department will “definitely monitor” the venue for complaints and compliance with video retention and retrieval requirements.

After the hearing, a motion to approve the entertainment license passed on a voice vote. Commissioners said they expect Torito to follow the city’s licensing rules and warned that entertainment privileges can be rescinded if neighbors lodge substantiated complaints. Naomi Lebron, the licensing clerk, confirmed that the licensee must also complete any remaining state approvals before opening.

The commission’s action included no special conditions beyond existing local licensing rules; commissioners said they would revisit conditions or revoke privileges if traffic, noise or public-safety concerns arise.

The licensee said it expects to open within about a week after receiving outstanding state approvals. The commission and police department reiterated that they would enforce noise and video-retention requirements and urged the licensee to call police for incidents rather than attempting to handle disturbances internally.

The commission did not adopt new rules at the hearing but flagged the matter for monitoring and possible future review if complaints are filed.