Restaurant operator told fire code may require hood vent through transom, delaying opening

Tiffany, a representative of the planned "Breakfast at Tiffany's" café, told the Berlin Historic District Commission that the town's fire marshal reviewed the proposed hood placement and indicated the planned rear vent location would "not match the code" because three gas and three electric meters cluster at the rear entry. Tiffany said the fire marshal suggested routing a vent through the transom glass on Jefferson Street as the only feasible exterior outlet.

"He couldn't write it. All he did was send us the code and say it's not going to match the code," Tiffany said, describing the fire marshal's guidance. She told commissioners the project is months behind schedule and the business is now in its sixth month paying rent on a location that cannot open without the hood and related permits: "we're into month six paying rent on a location we're unable to bring any income," she said.

Commissioners said the item was not on the night's agenda and that the commission could not take formal action without being properly noticed. They asked Tiffany to provide dimensions and renderings of the proposed hood and vent, and recommended she submit those materials so the matter can appear on the April agenda. A contractor who attended the meeting offered technical details about typical vent dimensions and said low-profile units can meet clearance requirements.

Outcome: The commission did not vote on the hood location; commissioners asked the operator to provide drawings and exact dimensions and encouraged her to return on the April agenda with documentation so the commission can consider a formal approval.