Saugus board finally pulls Route 107 liquor license

SAUGUS – The Saugus Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 Monday night to revoke the liquor license belonging to Pamela Avedisian, owner of the property at 60 Salem Turnpike (Route 107).The vote came after several continuations of a show cause hearing looking into possible undisclosed ownership issues. Avedisian or her representatives have failed to show up for the last three meetings, and Monday’s hearing was the final straw for the board.”It’s quite clear to me that Mrs. Avedisian doesn’t have any interest in this hearing,” said selectman Michael Serino.Avedisian purchased the property more than two years ago with the intent of opening a function hall and restaurant. However, several fires and environmental issues put those plans on hold.The Board of Selectmen already revoked the liquor license for non-use, and Avedisian is in the process of appealing that decision to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. Monday’s hearing was part of an investigation into undisclosed ownership.Lt. Det. Ronald Giorgetti testified before the board, and said he sent two notices of demand for documents pertaining to legal and financial records for the property, one on Aug. 30 and another on Oct. 5.Giorgetti said the documents he received were “incomplete” and said he did not hear back from Avedisian or her representatives nor did he receive any further documents.One of the records Giorgetti requested was proof that Avedisian reimbursed her business partner, Gary Decicco, for two checks in his name that were paid to the town for liquor license fees.”I would think that it would be in the license-holder’s interest to provide these document,” said Giorgetti. “I would think by withholding these records there is an effort to hinder this investigation.”At a previous meeting, it was also discovered that there were four additional owners listed for the property, with Avedisian claiming a 79 percent stake.”Based on Lt. Giorgetti’s testimony ? and the documents presented ? we can infer that there was a co-mingling of funds and interest in the license ?” said selectman Scott Crabtree. “They’ve been given adequate notice and opportunity to show up here to show their side of the story. But there is evidence that there is undisclosed interest in the license.”At the start of the meeting, the board presented Chairman Donald Wong with an honorary gavel for his four years served on the board. Wong will be stepping down from his seat.”It was my pleasure to work with all the selectmen on both terms,” said Wong. “It was a pleasure serving here in Saugus. It was great.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected]. You can follow him on Twitter @MattTempesta.