License Commission assesses incidents requiring police response at local restaurants

The License Commission requested three restaurants attend their August meeting because of recent incidents in which police were summoned. Whenever this occurs at a restaurant with a liquor license, the Commission reviews the incident. If the Commission feels the restaurant followed its public safety rules and regulations by calling 911 and properly addressing the incident, the case is dismissed. If not, the Commission makes a decision about what they’d like to see from the restaurant to remedy the situation.

The first incident before the Commission was a fight that happened June 4 at Joco’s Bar & Kitchen on Moody Street. According to the police report, a man struck another man in the face and said the victim had made offensive sexual advances. An employee said the man was asked to leave after asking other patrons for drugs. Upon being asked to leave, the man struck the victim. Based on the report, the Commission decided not to add the incident to the restaurant’s record.

The Commission also heard about a June 19 incident at City Streets on Waverley Oaks Road, where a customer was “causing a scene” according to the police report. Management asked her to leave after she began bothering other customers, but the woman refused to leave or pay for her drinks and food. Based on police assessment, she was taken into protective custody due to her perceived level of intoxication. She had two drinks during her time there, and employees let police know the second drink was taken away from her once she started acting strange. The Commission voted to dispose of the report and not add it to the restaurant’s file.

The final incident before the Commission happened July 2, at Shopper’s Cafe on Moody Street. A man who was leaving the bar passed out in the doorway and struck his head on the floor. According to the police report, the man did not recall falling. Firefighters treated the man’s injuries, and he was taken to Newton Wellesley Hospital to be evaluated. The man was given four drinks over the course of a 2.5 hour period. The Commission disposed of the report.

In other business, the commission approved:

• A request for the extension of an entertainment permit for the annual Boston Salsa Festival at the Westin Waltham-Boston Hotel which took place Aug. 21-23. The application was pre-approved ahead of the meeting time, a process that happens when the application is submitted late.
• Two one-day all alcohol permits for events at Bentley University in September.
• Two requests for one-day all alcohol permits for wedding receptions at the Paine Estate in October.
• A request for a one-day beer and wine permit for a panel discussion event at the Gore Estate.
• A request for four one-day beer and wine permits for recurring educational wine classes at Dion’s Wine, Spirits & Craft Beer. The first class will be held Sept. 16.
• A request for an extension of premise from Shopper’s Cafe for the Waltham High School Field Hockey team’s fifth Annual Corn Hole Tournament. The event will be held Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the parking lot behind the restaurant.
• A request for extension of premise from the Loyal Order of Moose Waltham Lodge for their annual members cookout in September.
• A request for a change of manager from the Waltham VFW Post  on Trapelo Road.
• A request for a change of officers and directors from Margaritas on Moody Street. The manager will stay the same.
• A request for the transfer of the common victualer license from S & P Cuisine (doing business as Tree Top Thai Cuisine on Prospect Street) to Tree Top Cuisine LLC. Everything about Tree Top Thai Cuisine will stay the same despite the license transfer.