Select Board keeps Gia’s restaurant license hearing open, asks for building owner to appear

The Select Board reopened a licensing hearing July 28 concerning Gia’s Restaurant (doing business at 785 Quaker Highway) to consider revocation, suspension or modification of its common victualler and alcohol licenses after a building inspection found roof work completed without proper commercial permits.

Board members said the primary compliance problem rests with the building owner, not the tenant. Members discussed options including a stop‑work order, suspension of the license until permits are in place, or revocation if the owner fails to secure proper documentation.

Planning and building staff said the owner had not filed for the correct permit; the contractor who applied was not the building owner and a residential permit had been submitted and rejected. The building commissioner asked for an affidavit from a licensed engineer certifying the roof was done correctly if the owner cannot produce inspection evidence.

Selectman McMillan suggested reaching the building owner and applying ongoing administrative measures to compel compliance; Selectman Wise favored an extension to allow the owner to respond if the owner is willing to work with the town. The board voted to continue the hearing to the August meeting and requested the building owner or a legal representative appear or provide written engineer certification before the next hearing.

Next step: the Select Board will revisit the license status at the continued hearing; the town’s options range from no action to license revocation depending on the owner’s response and submitted documentation.