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Date: 4/20/2023
EAST LONGMEADOW — A liquor license hearing became the topic of much discussion at the April 11 East Longmeadow Town Council meeting.
Richard Freccero and Robert Granger, two of the three owners of 3 Guys Catering, requested a liquor license to operate at Saint Luke’s Greek Orthodox Church, 400 Prospect St. Freccero said the business had signed a contract with the church to be the managing partner for its hall. He emphasized that the hall is not a restaurant or a tavern and would only operate for private events. All state and municipal paperwork had been completed and the business had met with the building inspector and fire chief regarding operation at that address, Freccero said. Granger said that the church came to 3 Guys Catering because the hall is underused, and the church is in need of financial help.
Freccero said the business expects to have between 50 and 100 events throughout the year. A permanent license was being sought because some events, such as funerals, are short notice, he said.
Freccero worked to convince the Town Council that the company was interested in being a good partner for the town. He said the catering business began in 2014 at the East Longmeadow Knights of Columbus before moving to the Country Club of Wilbraham. Freccero said the business had served 242 complementary meals per week to East Longmeadow seniors during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. He also noted that the business funds scholarships for East Longmeadow High School students.
Councilor Marilyn Richards noted that one-day liquor licenses are available for up to 30 events per year. She said a permanent all-alcohol license would allow the hall at St. Luke’s to become a banquet hall in a residential zone. Despite being a church, “it’s a business,” Richards said. She argued that the council would not allow any other banquet hall business to operate in a residential zone. Despite assurances to the contrary from the business owners, Richards said the hall could potentially operate daily. She also said a business certificate would be required for this operation.
“Is this the best use for our all-alcohol licenses?” Richards asked the other councilors. She posed a hypothetical in which a restaurant might open in town and an all-alcohol license may not be available because 3 Guys Catering had been given one. The state allows municipalities to issue a limited number of alcohol licenses depending on population size.
“I think we have shown our commitment to the community,” Freccero said. He noted that letters had been sent to abutters and no one had come to the meeting to speak against their management of the hall. Granger noted the owners were amenable to restrictions being put on the alcohol license if it would ease councilors’ concerns.
Councilor Connor O’Shea said he was in favor of businesses coming to the community and there is nothing that stops the church from having events at the hall as it stands, so the zoning issue does not concern him. “Overall, I think it’s a good idea,” he said.
Councilor Matthew Boucher opined, “I think we’re looking at individuals who have proven they’re going to be responsible stakeholders. I support bringing business back to town.”
Council President Ralph Page pointed out that being located at the church does not mean that the church is operating the business. “Businesses in residential zones are tricky and it’s usually not allowed,” he said.
Granger reiterated that the church had requested 3 Guys Catering “generate more revenue for the hall” and that the business was not “taking over” the venue.
Richards said that she was “not insensitive” to the financial plight of the church. She also said she appreciated that the business is community minded. “I support the work you’ve done, it’s just where you want to do it.”
Councilor Michael Kane said he had heard no opposition from neighbors and noted he lives near the site. The work done by 3 Guys Catering in the past has been “superior,” he said. He added that he was in favor of issuing the license and that there were procedures in place to rectify any issues.
Freccero suggested a 100-day probation period.
Page asked Director of Planning and Community Development Bailey Mitchell if the AA residential zone would allow such a business, or if any events would have to be church-based functions.
“I don’t see how the use could be permitted in the zone under our current bylaws,” Mitchell said.
While he noted there are some restrictions on zoning at churches, without further investigation he did not believe it would be allowed.
Page requested that the building commissioner submit comments on the matter to the council. In the meantime, he said one-day liquor licenses were available.
The public hearing was continued to the May 9 Town Council meeting.
Finance and budget
Town Manager Mary McNally spoke about the municipal budget. She said the budgets for the Police, Fire and Town Manager departments are higher this year than in past years because additional staff have been added to the rolls. She specifically cited the addition of a police lieutenant position, a police sergeant, a deputy fire chief and a deputy town manager.
McNally described the budget as “closed fist.” She said, “There is no fat in it.” The only new position is a shared nurse for the Council on Aging and Health Department. McNally said this was needed because basic nursing services “were always provided here in the past” and it is hard to make an appointment with a primary care physician right now, without a long wait.
There will be an estimated $450,000 in new growth, though it may be as high as $500,000, McNally said. She noted revenue is “speculative” until firm numbers are received from the state.
The budget will now go to the Finance Oversight Committee for review.
In other financial matters, $39,064 was transferred from the storm water enterprise fund to offset a shortfall for Massachusetts Department of Transportation engineering services.
Reduce tax burden
During the public comment period, School Committee Chair Gregory Thompson told the council that the district is expecting about $675,000 more in Chapter 70 state aid than it had first estimated. The School Committee asked for a reduction of the Chapter 70 amount from the budget, should Gov. Maura Healey’s proposed budget be in line with the final version created by legislators. Thompson said the committee would rather decrease the tax burden on residents now, as it will be asking them to fund a new high school in November. The next public forum on that project is scheduled for May 18 at the Pleasant View Senior Center.
Bylaw tabled
The council reviewed the Planning Board’s recommendation on changes to the site plan review bylaw, proposed by Mitchell. The Planning Board recommended against the changes in their current draft form. Page said each bylaw must have a single focus, but as written, it tackles multiple topics including parking and site plan review waivers.
O’Shea noted that while the topic is complicated, the processes do need to be streamlined.
Page noted that if the council were to vote it down the bylaw changes could not be brought back before the body for two years. He said he would rather see the document adjusted and resubmitted.
Richards agreed and said “some additional work” was needed to clarify the bylaw before it could be adopted. She suggested Mitchell craft it with the Planning Board, but Mitchell explained the board did not have time to work on it as their plates were already full, one of the reasons he drafted the bylaw changes in the first place.
Page, who has previously served on the Planning Board, volunteered to work on the document with Mitchell.
Other topics
The first three town offices have been moved to 382 N Main St., McNally said. Transferring Human Resources, Accounting and the Assessor’s Office was an “enormous undertaking,” she said.
The town’s application to become a Green Community was submitted to the state. “We believe it will be favorable,” McNally said of whether the state will award East Longmeadow the Green Communities designation, which would make the town eligible for grant funding. She noted that becoming a green community was a priority when the town’s Master Plan was created in 2021.
East Longmeadow Police Chief Mark Williams and Fire Chief Paul Morrissette were chosen to “train the trainees” as part of the state’s local emergency preparedness program. McNally said Massachusetts is the first state to have a three-year active shooter program, which she called, “necessary training these days.” All police and fire personnel will be trained in the procedures.
Council on Aging Director Erin Koebler obtained a Compact Communities grant to support the Senior Center’s dementia-friendly community program. The funding will be used to create a baseline study of the community’s needs and next steps. The town also received a $20,000 FEMA grant with a $2,000 match required from the town. That funding is earmarked to update the town’s 2016 hazard mitigation plan.