SAUGUS — The Board of Selectmen held a large number of public hearings Tuesday night, including one for the 10th anniversary party for Sen Nails on Saturday.
Owner Vu Dao approached the Board for a Special One Day Wine and Malt Liquor License; however, there were quite a few concerns from Board members.
“Our police chief was a little concerned,” Chair Debra Panetta said. “He did ask if there was going to be a TIPS-certified (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) bartender that will be serving drinks.”
Dao said no crazy drinks will be served, and he plans on limiting everyone to one drink.
“First, congratulations on your 10 years. As one member of the Board, I cannot support the license. The chief actually is not in favor of the application just because of the risks and responsibilities associated with not having someone TIPS-certified,” Board member Jeffery Cicolini said.
One of the issues would be not having someone trained to spot an underage drinker.
“We have had some issues, not with your establishment, with nail salons and other salons serving alcohol to patrons. So, I, for one… I just want you to understand it’s got nothing to do with you or your business, but I read the… rationale from the police department. Because they don’t support it, I cannot support the application,” he said.
Selectman Frank Federico asked if the date could be changed for the celebration.
Dao responded that catering has been booked, and it has already been advertised.
Vice Chair Anthony Cogliano asked if Dao would be opposed to hiring a TIPS-certified bartender.
“If the Board decided that, I might look for something like that. A bartender to do that,” Dao said.
Cogliano said there are several companies who have portable bar businesses in Saugus that will do these events.
Panetta explained that TIPS is an alcohol awareness training.
“The program teaches the staff how to responsibly serve alcohol. So, there was an instance, not with your business, but with another nail salon who was serving White Claws. In fact, they were advertising that they were serving that. And we got many, many phone calls. The police went down and had to tell them that they could not do that,” Panetta said.
She continued that people can be very sensitive to alcohol being served at any establishment without a license.
“As a business owner, you should also know… God forbid someone leaves your establishment after drinking at your establishment, if they get into an accident, your insurance company won’t protect you because you don’t have coverage for liquor consumption on your premises,” Cicolini said.
Town Manager Scott Crabtree noted that part of the Board’s responsibility along with the police chief and public safety personnel, is to ensure the safety of the public.
“When restaurants or alcohol establishments come in, there’s people that are experienced. They have to have certain qualifications to be able to run that type of establishment and have experience with liquor licenses,” Crabtree said.
Federico said that, with how it stands now, he wouldn’t feel comfortable granting the license, but with the condition of a TIPS-certified bartender and a one-day binder on his insurance policy, Dao can then decide if he wants to go forward with it.
Cicolini agreed that with a TIPS-certified bartender, an insurance policy binder, and if they were able to ensure they did not exceed their occupancy limit at any one time throughout the day, he would support it.
Crabtree added working with the police chief to that list.
Dao said he was willing to do it. He continued that if he needs to, he will postpone and make it mocktails only.
With the conditions of a TIPS-certified bartender, storage of malt and wine beverages for one day, which must comply with 204 CMR special license CO4-7, acquiring a one-day insurance policy, working with the police, and making sure the occupancy limit is not exceeded, the Board voted unanimously in favor of the license.
