Board conditionally approves Easy Street restaurant’s seasonal liquor license and limits on outdoor music

The Select Board on March 10 voted to approve a seasonal common-victualler liquor license and a non-live entertainment license for ACK Fusion Inc., doing business as Easy Street restaurant, contingent on pending approvals from other town boards.

Amy, licensing staff, opened the public hearing for Milan Basnet, the applicant and proposed manager, and noted the application seeks a seasonal liquor license and a background (non-live) entertainment permit for the premises at 31 Easy Street. Amy said the planning board would review a change of use later that day and that the licensing office can make approval conditional on outstanding health, building and planning approvals.

Select Board members raised specific concerns before voting: Select Board member Matt said the planning board may need to address a proposed increase in seating and potential loading-zone conflicts that could affect traffic and deliveries; he said the board should not be seen as preempting planning-board decisions. Select Board member Malcolm asked the board to require Board of Health inspection and building-code compliance because codes and regulations have changed since the location last served as a restaurant.

Milan Basnet told the board the last restaurant operation at the address dated to roughly 2014 and said he would comply with health and building requirements. Amy said the state’s change to allow qualified aliens to serve as liquor-license managers (under immigration law) made the applicant eligible.

After discussion Select Board member Matt moved to approve the liquor license contingent on the approvals required from other boards and compliance with health and building-code conditions; Select Board member Dawn seconded the motion. By roll call the motion carried with ayes from Matt, Dawn, Tom, Malcolm and the chair.

On the accompanying non-live entertainment license, Amy said the applicant seeks background streaming music and plans a small patio adjacent to the building. The board discussed hours and neighborhood impacts; Milan said any outdoor music would be minimal and intended to respect nearby residences. The board approved the entertainment license with two conditions: exterior background music must end by 10 p.m., and any exterior speakers must be oriented away from abutting residential properties (speakers should face inward toward the building and patio). The motion passed by unanimous roll call.

The board made clear both approvals are conditional: if the planning board denies an element of the application and the applicant opts to proceed under what is allowed by right, the applicant must return to the Select Board for any material change to the approved license conditions.