Council continues two liquor-license hearings amid disputed police-detail payments

The North Providence Town Council on June 3 continued two separate hearings over unpaid police-detail fees for liquor-licensed establishments — 7 8 7 Restaurant and Lounge and Elite Lounge and Bistro — and set conditions operators must meet before the August meeting.

The council record shows the summonses were issued because the operators had failed to make payments the town said were required under their licenses for police details. At the June meeting a town police lieutenant and representatives for both establishments spoke to the council.

For 7 8 7 Restaurant and Lounge, the council continued the matter to its August meeting and allowed the establishment to remain open provided the operator delivers proof of payment to the town clerk by the next day. Councilman Martone, who made the motion, said a conditional suspension would be enacted if proof was not provided: “If you're lying, I would ask that our Clerk, issue a cease and desist, to prevent operations until our August meeting,” he said. Lieutenant Kevin Gindon told the council his records show payment activity inconsistent with what the operator reported.

The council recorded a balance of $61,252 for the account during the discussion; an operator at the hearing said she had been making $2,500 monthly payments to the police department but the police records showed only one such payment and estimated recurring detail costs at about $2,000 per month.

For Elite Lounge and Bistro, council members also continued the hearing to August on the condition that the operator make two payments before that meeting and meet with the police department to agree on a payment plan. In discussion council members suggested a payment schedule (two suggested payments of $500, in July and August, were discussed) and urged the operator to contact police immediately to resolve accounting and communication gaps. The council stated it generally prefers to work with businesses when operators show good-faith efforts to resolve outstanding balances.

Actions and next steps

- 7 8 7 Restaurant and Lounge: Continued to the August meeting; operator must present proof of payment to the town clerk by the next day or face a conditional cease-and-desist before August (motion carried).

- Elite Lounge and Bistro: Continued to the August meeting with condition to make payments in July and August and to meet with police to establish an agreed payment plan (motion carried).

The town clerk was asked to confirm receipt and routing of payments, and the police department agreed to research where payments were posted in municipal accounting records. Council members said the matter will return in August for review of proof of payments and any additional action.

Speakers quoted in this article are those who appeared on the record at the June 3 meeting; the clerk and police department are expected to reconcile accounting records as follow-up.