Saugus selectmen force Tabu to go dark for 3 nights

SAUGUS – The lights will be dimmed for three nights but only in one portion of Tabu Ultra Lounge and Nightclub after it agreed to a three-day suspension effectively ending its show cause hearing.The club has been in the midst of a show cause hearing that officially started last fall. It was brought due to a growing number of violent acts that have taken place largely in the parking lot of the club.Attorney Frank Russell, representing Tabu, along with the Board of Selectmen and Police Chief Domenic DiMella spent two nights behind closed doors in executive session hashing out the deal that would brought a close to the hearings.In a letter of agreement to the town’s attorney Ira Zalenik, Russell spelled out the terms of the agreement, which Selectmen Stephen Castinetti, who sat as chairman, read aloud.According to the letter, Tabu’s alcohol and entertainment licenses will be suspended on March 12, 19 and 27th but only in the nightclub section of the building. The restaurant/lounge portion of the club will be allowed to remain open to sell food, serve alcoholic drinks, play music and the television until 1 a.m.Club officials also agreed to beef up security and stagger closing times in an effort to quell the violence that has been breaking out mostly around closing time.Castinetti said additional lighting would be installed in the parking lot and on the roof of the building and the club will close its doors to new admissions at 1 a.m. That means anyone not already in the building won’t be allowed in.In addition, those in the building will have to remain in the room they are in come 1 a.m. According to the settlement, patrons in the restaurant/lounge area will not be allowed into the club area after 1 a.m. and security is to be stationed between the two rooms to enforce the new rule.The restaurant/lounge patrons will also be asked to leave the premises beginning at 1:30 a.m. with an aim at having them out of the building by 1:45 a.m. when club patrons will be asked to leave.”It is hoped that staggering the closing time will allow for (Tabu) to remove one-third of the patrons prior to the nightclub letting out,” Russell wrote.Tabu officials have also promised to consult with professional security consultants and implement new measures deemed necessary or appropriate to upgrade and improve security on a regular basis.The agreement also disposes of all incidents that were subject in the show cause hearing but it doesn’t preclude the board from further hearings if need be.Selectman Peter Rossetti called the agreement a step in the right direction.”It’s progressive discipline, which is what the ABCC (Alcohol Beverage Control Commission) is looking for,” he said. “I trust this will be the last time we have to deal with these issues.”Selectman Michael Kelleher said he is sure some residents will complain that the club wasn’t shut down permanently but he pointed out, the business owners do have rights under the law.”This is progressive discipline, they do have a three-day suspension and also a security plan that makes good common sense,” he said. “I do support this.”His colleagues agreed supporting the agreement 4-0 with Chairman Donald Wong, whose family holds a liquor license, sitting out the hearing.