Saugus selectmen make strides against Tabu

SAUGUS – The Board of Selectmen said it made significant progress on the show cause hearing for Tabu Ultra Lounge and Nightclub but it didn’t make it public.The board met Tuesday to continue the show cause hearing brought against the Route 1 north nightclub as a result of a number of violent incidents that have taken place, for the most part in the club’s parking lot over the last year. At stake for the club is its liquor license and the ability to remain open until 2 a.m.After calling the meeting into session Ira Zaleznik, special counsel for the town, recommended the board go into executive session so he could bring it up to date on litigation discussions.The board voted 4-0 to head into the closed door session with Chairman Donald Wong, who holds a liquor license of his own, sitting out and Selectman Stephen Horlick sitting in.The selectmen last met on Feb. 17 where about 90 minutes into the hearing the board voted 3-1 to go into an executive session that time with Horlick opting out. Horlick said at the time that he opposed holding the executive session therefore he wouldn’t attend it.This time, however, he sided with his colleagues. After spending another 90 minutes behind closed doors the board emerged only to call it a night.Selectman Michael Kelleher said only that the legal counsel for both sides had made significant progress and he made a motion to continue the hearing until Tuesday, March 10.When the board met in executive session last month it was to discuss whether any of Tabu’s argument had any legal weight. Board members declined to comment on exactly what was discussed during Tuesday’s private session.Ironically Tuesday’s hearing came on the heels of yet another incident at the club. Officers were called to the club early Monday morning to respond to a fight in the parking lot. According to police reports several parties at the club stated they were assaulted by possible club employees. There were also claims that a vehicle was damaged during the fight.Officers advised the parties to file a complaint with the Lynn District Court.This is the second time a hearing for the troubled club was preceded by a weekend incident.