Select Board reprimands Rally Point, imposes three-day alcohol suspension after March parking-lot altercation

The Foxborough Select Board voted May 27 to issue a letter of reprimand and a three-day suspension of alcohol service for the Rally Point (doing business as Valley Point) after police presented video evidence of an altercation that followed a night out in March.

Chief Mike Grace told the board that surveillance footage showed several confrontations in the parking lot and three potential licensing violations: failing to notify police or emergency medical services for an injured patron, allowing patrons to leave the premises carrying alcoholic beverages, and staff failing to take required steps to assist an injured person. "The three violations are clear and, in my opinion, undeniable," Chief Grace said as he described video stills and interior footage collected during the investigation.

Attorney Daniel Rich, representing owners Omari and Tina Walker, told the board the owners would not contest the licensing allegations and described steps already taken: hiring a security guard for weekend nights, installing exterior cameras, retraining staff and drafting written policies to ensure staff call 911 when injuries occur. "We take this seriously," Tina Walker said, noting the owners watched video of the incident and have retrained staff and added security.

Board members said the disciplinary choice had to balance that the incident produced a severe injury with the narrower question before them: whether the license-holder violated local rules. Several members said a simple letter of reprimand would be insufficient because staff did not call for trained first responders. "If their staff doesn't know that, shame on the establishment," one member said, urging a suspension to underscore public-safety responsibilities.

After discussion of options available under the town’s licensing regulations — for a first offense a letter of reprimand and/or suspension of up to three days and optional hour restrictions — the board moved and approved a letter of reprimand and a three-day suspension of alcohol service. The suspension must include at least one Friday or Saturday; the owners will submit preferred suspension dates to the town manager after the 10-day state appeal window expires.

The board and police emphasized that the criminal investigation remains separate. Chief Grace noted the department’s obligation to preserve evidence and said that, while the staff had no apparent prior knowledge that an altercation would move outside, the rules create duties for staff once they become aware of a disturbance. The board instructed staff to document the reprimand and suspension in the licensing file and to accept the owners’ proposed scheduling for the suspension after the appeal period.

The Select Board’s action does not resolve any pending criminal matters; the board’s determination was limited to the licensing violations and the sanction spelled out above. The board also reminded license-holders that failure to comply with conditions could prompt further administrative action or referral to the state licensing authority.