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| By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD Neighbors abutting the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7352 in Forest Park won't hear the parties conducted at the post's pavilion after 9 p.m. Post officials agreed to add a stipulation on the post's liquor license requiring them to move any party inside the facility if it lasts until 9 p.m. at last week's meeting of the Board of License Commissioners. The post had asked the Forest Park Civic Association to support an extension of the area in which the post can serve alcohol, but was denied. Brian Sears, the president of the civic association, told the board that while the post was a good neighbor, it was built on a lot zoned for residences and is now surrounded by homes. Builder Leslie Clement, who is constructing some of the new homes in the immediate area of the post, also asked the post's request be denied. When the suggestion was made to amend the post's license so that outdoor parties could not go past 9 p.m., Barbara Rose, the manager of the post, readily agreed. She said that she screens the parties carefully and doesn't rent out the facility to any gathering of unsupervised teenagers. Commissioner Robert Casey suggested that if there are problems, neighbors should contact the board. The board told another Forest Park business that seeing them was premature. Khan Dao appeared before the board for a license for two coin-operated pool tables for his new business at 113 Vermont St. in the building that formerly was the site for a flag business. Dao wants to put a coffee house and a bar with more pool tables into the building. Board Chair Peter Signatory asked Dao if he had appeared before the Forest Park Civic Association and he had not. Signatory explained Dao would have to go there as well as the Planning Board and the City Council for his approvals and special permits before coming before the Board of License Commissioners. Michael Barrasso, co owner of the Hippodrome, told the board that he anticipates having the sprinkler system in the nightclub and theater fully installed by mid-October. He had surrendered the club's liquor license when he learned he could not operate without the new fire suppression system and explained the delay in the installation had come about due to obtaining proper financing. Barrasso explained that he and his partner Steven Stein were doing more than just installing a new sprinkler system. He said the club would get a new marquee, upgraded interiors and new restrooms. He also plans to renovate the theater's office building and the site of the former Lava restaurant. |