Fall River Licensing Board approves multiple one-day alcohol permits, two business license updates and a liquor-license transfer

The Fall River Licensing Board on Feb. 19 approved several one-day alcohol permits for local churches and civic associations, granted common victualler licensing actions for two businesses and approved transfer of an all-alcohol license for a County Street restaurant to a buyer represented by counsel.

The board—Commissioner Melanie Cordero and Commissioner Mike Perera were present; Chairman Greg Brilliant was absent—began the meeting with a reading of the Open Meeting Law and a reference to the city charter’s public-comment policy. "Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting," Commissioner Melanie Cordero said at the start of the session.

The most prominent agenda items were multiple one-day alcohol permits for neighborhood parishes and civic groups. The board approved one-day permits for Espirito Santo Church at 311 Alden Street for May 30, May 31 and June 1, 2025; Holy Name School at 850 Pierce Street for March 1, 2025; Santo Cristo Parish at 240 Columbia Street for dates in late June 2025; Saint John’s Holy Ghost Association at 1975 Pleasant Street for June 13–15, 2025; and a Lebanese dinner hosted at Saint Teresa Maronite Catholic Church at 300 Northeastern Avenue. Applicants described the events as annual parish feasts or fundraisers and said they would serve beer and wine at most events; Saint Teresa’s event was described as serving alcohol and running into the evening.

Andrew Raposo, who identified himself as principal at Espirito Santo Church, described his event as an "annual parish feast." Megan Dos Santos said Holy Name School’s event is a winter fundraiser and "a pub night" that would run roughly 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eric Rodriguez and Leonardo Diago described their respective parish feasts and affirmed awareness of neighborhood noise concerns. Board members repeatedly reminded applicants to respect neighborhood noise limits and to use proper constables and police details where required.

The board also approved licensing actions for businesses. The common victualler license for 340 Mariano Bishop Boulevard was updated so the existing operation can operate under the trade name New York Bagel with the same hours and food service, the applicant said. Nathan Silva said Christopher’s will operate a cafeteria in the lower level of 99 South Main Street, with seating for about 100 and weekday hours reported as roughly 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Attorney Mark L. Lehi, representing SWEJI 2 INC, asked the board to approve transfer of an all-alcohol common victualler license for 915 County Street to his client. Lehi said his client's acquisition of the building and business remains subject to estate and closing steps but that the parties sought board approval to enable a prompt reopening once the sale closes. He said operating hours were expected to remain roughly 11:30 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, and the police had provided a favorable report. The board approved the transfer; counsel said the new operator intends to retain or replace kitchen staff and, if hours or other operational details change, they will return to the board for further approval.

Plainly recorded motions to approve each permit and license were made and seconded during the meeting; commissioners voiced no opposition and the chair declared the motions passed. Where times and dates were stated on the record, they are noted above; in one instance the motion language in the record was garbled and the board approved the permit as presented (that item’s precise date and motion text were recorded in the minutes as stated at the meeting).

The board also acknowledged receipt of an employee handbook and approved routine administrative minutes for November, December and January before adjourning.

Votes at a glance

- Grant one-day alcohol permit — Espirito Santo Church, 311 Alden St. (May 30, May 31, June 1, 2025). Outcome: approved. Motion made by Commissioner Mike Perera; seconded by Commissioner Melanie Cordero. - Grant one-day alcohol permit — Holy Name School, 850 Pierce St. (March 1, 2025). Outcome: approved. Motion made by Commissioner Mike Perera; seconded by Commissioner Melanie Cordero. - Grant one-day alcohol permit — Santo Cristo Parish, 240 Columbia St. (late June 2025 dates stated on record). Outcome: approved. Motion made by Commissioner Mike Perera; seconded by Commissioner Melanie Cordero. - Grant one-day alcohol permit — Saint John’s Holy Ghost Association, 1975 Pleasant St. (June 13–15, 2025). Outcome: approved. Motion made by Commissioner Mike Perera; seconded by Commissioner Melanie Cordero. - Grant one-day alcohol permit — Saint Teresa Maronite Catholic Church, 300 Northeastern Ave. (Lebanese dinner; date as recorded in minutes). Outcome: approved. Motion made by Commissioner Mike Perera; seconded by Commissioner Melanie Cordero. - Approve common victualler license name change/renewal — 340 Mariano Bishop Blvd. (New York Bagel). Outcome: approved. Motion made by Commissioner Mike Perera; seconded by Commissioner Melanie Cordero. - Approve common victualler license — Christopher’s, 99 South Main St. (lower-level cafeteria). Outcome: approved. Motion made by Commissioner Mike Perera; seconded by Commissioner Melanie Cordero. - Transfer all-alcohol common victualler license — 915 County St. (to SWEJI 2 INC; buyer represented by Mark L. Lehi). Outcome: approved. Motion made by Commissioner Mike Perera; seconded by Commissioner Melanie Cordero. Police report: favorable (on record). - Approve and sign meeting minutes — November, December and January. Outcome: approved. Motion made by Commissioner Mike Perera; seconded by Commissioner Melanie Cordero.

The board recorded no roll-call vote tallies by individual name other than the oral affirmations on the record; motions were passed with no opposition voiced during the meeting.

The board adjourned after finishing administrative business. Applicants and counsel were told to return to the board if future operational details (for example, hours or a DBA) change or if license-holder names change before closing.