Saugus charter board to revise license proposal

SAUGUS – Next to conflict of interest issues and residency requirements, one of the hottest debates among those watching the Charter Commission’s progress has been whether the town should have an appointed licensing board instead of the current version run by the Board of Selectmen.Initially the commission drafted a proposal that called for an appointed committee, albeit one that was appointed by board members. And after a lengthy debate, however, a compromise was reached.Commission Chairman Peter Manoogian said the board voted 8-1 last Thursday to revamp the licensing portion of the proposal. The new version would have the Police Chief and the Fire Chief as standing members and three residents appointed by the Board of Selectmen to serve as the Licensing Board.However, under the new draft section, the Board of Selectmen could appoint three of its own members if it chooses to do so. The one caveat Manoogian pointed out is that if a board member has any ties financial or otherwise to a liquor license they would not be allowed to sit on the board. That means if the ruling were alive today, Selectmen Chairman Donald Wong, as license holder for Kowloon Restaurant, would not be allowed to serve on the Licensing Board.Selectman Michael Kelleher, who led the debate opposing an appointed board, said he was happy with the compromise.”It’s better than what it was,” he said.Kelleher opposed an appointed committee because he said he feels that elected officials have far more accountability than appointed members would. He has long argued that residents should be allowed to in essence choose the board at the voting booth.Manoogian and others, however, felt an appointed committee would be less political.Speaking for Police Chief Domenic DiMella who was out of town Wednesday, Lt. Leonard Campanello said the department would certainly entertain any proposal the Charter Commission puts forward. Fire Chief James Blanchard was a little more skeptical, however.Blanchard said serving on the committee could be good for him because it would allow him to hold businesses’ feet to the fire in regards to following procedure, but he questioned what he could bring to the table.”I’m not sure how I would help out,” he said, adding that he is not up on every liquor rule or regulation.Manoogian said he liked the idea of having the public safety chiefs on board and that Quincy had handled its committee as such since 1949.”They have the Building Inspector, Health Agent and Town Counsel as the other three members as well but they’re a larger communities with more liquor licenses,” he added.The ultimate decision will be up to the voters, however, when the entire charter proposal goes to a vote in November.