Council approves slate of business and entertainment licenses, waives fee for church event

The Lincoln Town Council’s Board of Licenses approved a broad package of liquor, victualing, entertainment and gaming licenses at its Nov. 18 meeting and voted to add and approve a special-event liquor license for Saint Basil’s Church for the Saint Barbara feast on Dec. 7, including a waiver of the application fee.

Councilors handled the licensing business largely by motion and voice vote. Councilor (S5) summarized the routine conditions for many approvals, saying, “as long as we have the tip certification, permit to make sales at retail, certificate of good standing, certificate of insurance, town taxes, and fire department approval.” Those conditions were repeatedly used to qualify approvals for restaurants, bars, clubs and other venues.

The board read and approved renewals and new licenses across multiple classes: Class A and B liquor licenses, victualing (food-service) licenses, 24-hour and dance licenses, entertainment and gaming licenses, jukebox and pool-table permits, and special entertainment approvals for venues including local restaurants, country clubs and arcades. Several approvals were explicitly recorded as “pending” until applicants submit health permits, tip-training certificates or insurance documentation.

Council members also addressed a potential conflict-of-interest question related to two local social clubs that include council members among their memberships. A council speaker (S3) noted that “the Rhode Island Ethics Commission recognizes the rule of necessity,” saying members may participate when failure to do so would leave no quorum and when benefits are not pecuniary beyond the class of license.

The licensing block concluded with a formal statement that the business for the Board of License Commissioners was complete; individual approvals will be finalized when the offices providing permits and certificates report that conditions have been met.