Board tables 135 Restaurant & Lounge transfer after paperwork inconsistencies; applicants told to return Feb. 10

The Board of License Commissioners voted on Jan. 28, 2025, to table the transfer application for 135 Restaurant & Lounge, at 672 Waverley Street, to the Feb. 10 meeting after staff and commissioners identified inconsistent and incomplete paperwork. The motion to table carried 3–2.

Attorney Dan Saltzman (of counsel) and representatives for the applicants described an eight-month training overlap between the current manager and the purchasers and said most staff would stay in place. Applicants and counsel said the proposed managers had hospitality experience in Florida and elsewhere and had completed TIP training. Property owner Phil Ottigliani spoke in support of the applicants, saying they had attended a city seminar and tried to follow the town's procedures.

Commissioners said the application packet showed different names in the manager and assistant-manager fields and lacked clear background information and supporting query forms in places. Commissioner McCullough said the board routinely denies transfers when managers lack demonstrated alcohol-service experience and noted that the board was entitled to confirm residency and background checks for managers on the license application. The chair observed the error and said the board could not, in good conscience, vote until the manager paperwork was corrected.

The board gave applicants until Feb. 10 to resubmit a cohesive packet including corrected manager/assistant-manager identification, CORI/COI queries as required, and any other supporting documents; licensing staff will not issue licenses until the corrected paperwork and departmental approvals are on file.