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Burrillville council approves most annual licenses, denies two amid outstanding requirements and police concerns
Summary
The council approved annual renewals for dozens of victualing, alcoholic beverage and entertainment licenses on Nov. 18, 2024, but removed and then denied Balefire LLC (Veil Fire) and Mapleville Farm after missing documentation and police concerns about site operations.
At its Nov. 18 special meeting the Burrillville Town Council approved the bulk of annual renewals for victualing, alcoholic beverage, entertainment, pool-table and related licenses for the 2024–25 license year, but removed two applicants from approval and ultimately denied their renewal applications.
Council members listed more than 20 establishments for license renewals, including Bravo Brewing Company, Pasco Cafe (Eldridge Tavern LLC), George’s Pizza, Waterfall Cafe and others; the renewals were granted provided outstanding stipulations (such as Division of Taxation good-standing certificates, liquor-liability insurance and police approvals) were submitted to the town clerk. Speaker 1 read the list of applicants and noted that complete application files are available in the town clerk’s office.
Two applicants drew separate scrutiny. Eldridge Tavern (doing business as Pasco Cafe) was noted as still pending a Division of Taxation good-standing certificate; James Davidge (Fritz’s Cafe) was missing liquor-liability insurance but had police approval and BCI results reported. Council approved renewals subject to those items being provided.
The council removed Balefire LLC (referred to in the record as ‘veil fire’ / ‘Balefire’) and Mapleville Farm from the lump approval and took each up separately. Law enforcement flagged multiple on-site problems at Balefire, including missing insurance, absent police approvals and fire-marshal issues; the police representative said there had been “a number of back and forths in the community with the owner…people who use the facility, the neighbors,” and recommended addressing the particulars before issuing a license going forward. The council voted to deny Balefire’s license renewal.
Council members also discussed Mapleville Farm (also referred to in parts of the record as Maple Grove/Mapleville): the applicant had not provided requested documents and failed to appear at a prior meeting to discuss objections; the council moved to deny that license as well.
Several council members emphasized their responsibility to protect the public and employees at licensed establishments. The denials and conditional approvals were taken by voice vote; the meeting record shows motions to deny were made, seconded, and the council responded Aye.
