Saugus board continues liquor license hearing

SAUGUS – The long saga of the Pamela Avedisian liquor license took another turn at Tuesday night?s Board of Selectmen meeting.After Avedisian and her representatives were, again, no-shows for a 7 p.m. show cause hearing, selectman Scott Crabtree read a letter from Avedisian?s attorney, Steven Miller, who withdrew his counsel.?This letter shall provide notice that I am withdrawing as counsel for Ms. Avedisian in the matter currently pending before the Board of Selectmen,” said the letter. “I do not feel I am able to represent Ms. Avedisian properly and she is entitled to fully-committed representation.”Avedisian purchased property at 60 Salem Turnpike more than two years ago with the intent of opening a function hall and restaurant, but a series of fires and environmental issues put those plans on hold. The Board of Selectmen are in the process of holding a show cause hearing to revoke the liquor license for non-use. But, at a hearing in June, some discrepancies arose as to who is the actual owner of the property.The hearing has been continued several times since, as the Board sought bank records from Avedisian.Selectman Scott Crabtree said he has seen similar tactics with previous show cause hearings.?This board is pretty attuned to this strategy of not producing information ?” said Crabtree. “Endless continuations, changing attorneys, producing purchase and sales agreements at the 11th hour, we?ve been through this.”On Wednesday, Selectman Michael Serino said despite the drawn-out hearings, the board wants to be completely confident before it votes to cancel the license.?Ultimately, with any liquor issue that comes before you, you have to give them due process and you can?t make a quick snap judgment,” said Serino. “You always have to think of the appeal. It?s nothing unusual.”The Board ultimately voted 3-0 to continue the hearing to Nov. 3.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected]. You can follow him on Twitter @MattTempesta.