The commission approved several one-day licenses and manager amendments before holding disciplinary hearings for two establishments regarding police compliance check failures for serving alcohol to minors. The commission took both violation matters under advisement.
[Robert Delafano]: Yeah. Okay. The public meeting of the city of Medford, let the license commission bar 10, 22, 26 will come to order. We do have an agenda to follow. First thing on the agenda is to approve the minutes from the June. June 24th, 6, 24, 26 and 9, 16, 26 meetings. They were sent to us by Daria. Thank you, Daria. I looked them over, Commissioner Matarano, have you had a chance to glance over them? I did. I did. I looked at them this morning. Do you want me to do them at the same time or one at a time? No, you can do them both at the same time. They look fine to me as well. Yeah, me too.
I motion to approve the minutes of the June 24th meeting and the September 16th meeting. Okay, I'll second that motion. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. All those opposed? Hearing and seeing none, the ayes have it. Next item on the agenda, a representative from Medford Brewing will present to one-day license applications for a community event on Saturday, October 24th, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. at the Wrights Farm Medford Mass, and run Medford event on Saturday, December 5th, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Medford City Hall area.
Do we have, oh, it's Nick. Hi, Nick. How are we doing? Not too bad.
[Nick Bolitho]: What's going on, Nick? Well, I'll do the two very straightforward. So the December one is for Run Medford, where we sponsor it and we basically give the thirsty runners a free beer at the end. And that was the after the crazy rainstorm that never really happened. And so everything got cancelled. Yeah, this is the rain day. Wasn't this the rain day? Yes, but they didn't create a rain date until after the event, so I'm just sort of covered.
And then, so the other one is the city-organized, I think, sponsored event, which is the Halloween pumpkin extravaganza at Wright's Pond, where, again, we've done it in the last two years, three years, I think. Again, all organized by the city, and we were asked to serve our products there.
[Robert Delafano]: Very good. I just have the two of them. The only thing I come across is on the Rites Con Halloween thing. I think it might just be a typo. It says, please provide a full description. and complete description of the premise where the event is taking place, including location where liquor is being served. And you started to write something, it said the alcohol will only be served in, and you ended there. So just kind of elaborate on that a little bit, and we will, I'm sure we're not gonna have a problem with that.
[Executive Assistant to the Mayor Daria Tejera]: We did have a map of that, right?
[Robert Delafano]: Yes, we did. The last item is the diagram And you've got your insurance. So yeah, it's just a formality thing. Just let Daria know and she can, either her or you fill it in and send it to her. That's all.
[Nick Bolitho]: I will say we don't want to invite your own adventure version. I'll fill it out.
[Robert Delafano]: Finish that sentence. That's all I need to do. Yeah. And you're right. The liability insurance is current 9-11. Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine with that too. So we'll do the Pumpkin Fest first. I motion to approve the one day license for the Pumpkin Fest to be held at Rides Pond on October 24th from 6 to 8.30 PM. Okay, I second that motion. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Hearing and seeing none, the ayes have it. Motion's been approved. And then let me do the run.
I motion to approve the December 5th run method that's David McGillivray's race to be held from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on, let's say December 5th. I second. All those in favor, aye. All those opposed. Hearing and seeing none, the ayes have it. Motion's been approved. I think you're all set.
[Nick Bolitho]: Yeah. Thank you very much. And I'll see you next month for pouring per bit round two. All right.
[Robert Delafano]: All that going OK?
[Nick Bolitho]: Yeah, I think so. I think I've sent Daria everything. As far as I know, she has all the documentation. Everything is good. All the postage has been done. So I think now it's just let's meet and talk at it.
[Robert Delafano]: Sounds great. Sounds good. Good luck with it. Thank you. Thanks. Is the pumpkin festival that they put can't, they put candles in the poppins and then they're not no, not candles.
[Executive Assistant to the Mayor Daria Tejera]: No, no, no. We'll hold them down. There's like a thing to hold it down. You ask this every year and every year. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So they don't put candles in it. No, no, it's not actual like, no, no, no. Oh, maybe it was you. This is what they did. No, no, no, no. They hold it like, they do like where they hold it down.
[Robert Delafano]: Yeah. Yeah. I think there was a thing that went on. I don't know what country it was. They had those balloons that they put the candle in. And they were made out of like a paper mache and they put the candle in them and they release them and they just go up in the air from the heat like a hot air balloon. Yeah. And where they will land and they were making catch and fire, you know, different structures and everything else. Well, I was wondering if they do that, like Google grows out and retrieve some of the pumpkins, that's what I'm thinking. Yeah, a fish have been eaten, I guess. Okay. All right. Thanks, everyone.
Okay, next on the agenda, we have, we have a representative from Pizzeria Regina Romethic. Okay, you want to, you can have a seat up here if you like.
[SPEAKER_05]: So we need to, do an amendment to change managers because the general manager who was there has gone on to do other things. If you'd like to put in.
[Robert Delafano]: Okay, just do me a favor, state your name. I'm sorry, that's Michael Gardner. Okay, and you're from Regina Pizza. Yeah, I'm the facilities manager. Okay, great. Okay, and you just told us why you're here, which is great. Let's take a quick look at the application. Both managers, Mark Murphy and I didn't know, right?
[SPEAKER_05]: Yeah.
[Robert Delafano]: I did find one little thing, just a date correction on the PDF page six. It's still last month's date for the meeting date. We're going to have to change that, I believe. Oh, today? 10-22-26. Oh, wait a minute.
[Executive Assistant to the Mayor Daria Tejera]: No, that's for the, I always read that as their, obviously managers of pizzerias, so whenever they wrote it on there. Okay. Not us.
[Robert Delafano]: To apply to this licensing, okay. Never mind. It's all good. Yeah, that was the only other thing that I saw. Everything else, you guys did a great job.
[SPEAKER_05]: I look okay to you now? Yeah. Is Mr. Murphy working? Is that why he's not here? To tell you the truth, I thought he was going to be here with me. Yeah. I don't see him up there. Okay. So yes, he must have gotten caught up doing something else. Okay.
[Robert Delafano]: Normally, we'd like to ask them some questions, but I'm fine. This is a change in manager, and we know the establishment's been around a while. So I don't see anything that's jumping out on the application or the form. Did you see anything that caught your attention? No, not at all. Just that which I didn't, which they did right. So that was in the error. All right, so I'll make a motion to approve the amendment to change the manager of Pizzeria Regina and that to a station landing, 44 station landing. I'll second that. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Hearing and seeing none, the ayes have it. Motion's been approved. You're all set, sir. Thank you very much. Thank you for coming. Thank you for coming in.
Oh, all righty. Thanks. Do we have a representative from the Method Lodge of Elders? Yes, we do.
[Nick Bolitho]: Okay.
[Robert Delafano]: Take your name and organization for the record, please. Richard E. Elwood Jr., bar manager for the Method Lodge 915. All righty. Very good, sir. And you're here for a change of manager as well, correct? Yes. All righty. Yeah, let's see. Did the, uh, Medvanai have their 50th? Weren't they having it there? A couple weeks ago. It was downstairs, yeah. Yeah, so they thought. Yeah, it was a good time. It was a good turnout. They did have a good turnout. Yeah.
They enjoyed themselves, from what I was told.
[Nick Bolitho]: Well, Mike was there anyway, so, you know, it's always a good time when he's there. Mr. Mayor, you know.
[SPEAKER_05]: Yeah, I knew the 50th was there.
[Robert Delafano]: I heard some things. Again, is Richard on property? Is that why he's not here? I'm Richard. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. That's all right. It looks like you do everything, like the manager, I guess, and it's like a sole proprietorship type thing. you know, the, you know, the person in charge of the license as well. I named Sam because the private managers names up on the license now. So yeah.
[SPEAKER_05]: Yeah. Yeah. Okay.
[Robert Delafano]: Yeah. As I recall from the past, to manage the house really runs the whole. One person does it all. Yes. It's a part-time job, but it's really more than a part-time job. I know, you're an army of one. I know. Yeah. Right down to appeasing the neighbors and the parking, the whole bit. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah, no, I remember. Yeah, it's an LLC. Okay. I was looking at the applicant's statement. Okay. The only thing I found was, page 4 of the PDF that was sent to us, and the application contact. You put Richard, fire manager, and your email address and stuff, but we just want you to put your last name in that. Other than that, that's not a big deal. Just want to make it official for the record. Page 4, right? Yeah, page 4 on the PDF. I missed that? Yeah. Oh, yeah, it just says Richard not right where I highlighted it. Yeah. Oh, the full your full name should have been in. Oh, that can fit in there. That's why. I mean, yeah, that's okay. Okay. Normally you go online and you can fill in if you can type in.
[Robert Delafano]: Yeah. That's an easy fix. Yeah, right. Other than that, that's the only thing I found out. Yeah. I don't know if you came across that. No, no. No, I see your previous employment. You're going to need it there. I'll tell you this. 34 years. And I come out looking like this. Pretty good, huh? I started when I was young, 20.
[Nick Bolitho]: 34 took my 80% off the door. Yeah. Retired a lieutenant. So you're good. Like this young officer. I worked at Walthall apartment. Started in 86. actually worked. Yeah, it was, you know, we didn't have a lot of downtime, but that way.
[Robert Delafano]: Yeah, my cousin was stationed at the carpet at the farm. Oh, across the street. Yeah, he had really easy doing it. Yeah, that that is a sweet place to work.
[Nick Bolitho]: I mean, it was funny you say that because when I left Walpole, I moved from Medford to Melrose rather than now and I had I went to
[Robert Delafano]: He said, call it good for us. And then they needed sides across the street. So they go by seniority. So I said, I'll go there for a while. And then I get towards the end of my paragraph. The moment I went back to call it. And then I said, okay, I'm going to go back across the street. The farmer, the farmer across the street. Oh, I was at the farm for later.
[SPEAKER_05]: We're at the farm.
[Robert Delafano]: I was a sergeant, but then there was Lieutenant openings. I grabbed one across the street at Concord, which was good because I didn't feel like driving up route two to Shirley. Yeah. Otherwise I would just stay right at the farm. I don't have a. Anything you want to motion? Yep. All right. I'll make motion to accept and approve the amendment to change the manager or the met for the large of 19 Washington Street or change of manager.
[Unidentified]: Yeah.
[Robert Delafano]: All righty. I'll second. All those in favor, aye. All those opposed? Hearing and seeing none, the ayes have it. You're all set. Thank you. All right, do you guys mail that to me or to the club, the certificates?
[Executive Assistant to the Mayor Daria Tejera]: The certificate, you'll get it once it's approved by the state. Oh, okay, all right. Once we approve it, I send it to the state and then they approve it, which takes about a month or so. Oh, okay. You'll get an email. Oh. Because if your email is on it, they will send it to you, too. Oh, great. And then does he destroy the old one, or does he surrender that here? He has to pass the other. Yeah, yeah.
[Robert Delafano]: I can bring it here if you want, I don't care. It's up to you. I don't know what your protocol is. I don't know. either. OK, well, if you guys know just let me know. Yeah, I'll do whatever needs to be done. All right. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
[John Anderson]: Thank you. I haven't seen Alan for a long time. How are you, sir? Good to see you. Have you been hiding in Florida or something?
[Robert Delafano]: I'm doing my best. OK. I'm loving retirement, so I'm doing my best. You're looking good. Looking good. Thank you. Same to you. OK, John, just let us know a little bit about what's going on. Why are you here today?
[John Anderson]: We have a Christmas party every year. It's for members only. Almost all of our events are open to the general public, free of charge, but we'd like to have something for our members once a year. So Max will be there reading some poetry, serving some beer, we'll sing a little, that kind of thing.
[Robert Delafano]: Awesome. Sounds great. I know last year, the last couple of years, I believe it came before us. Never any issues. You guys do a great job over there.
[John Anderson]: So we're a pretty rowdy bunch, but I keep it under control.
[Robert Delafano]: Yeah, that's good. Yeah, no, Alan, I had everything. Yeah, no, it's all pretty straightforward. A motion to approve the one day license. for the Medford Historical Society for an event held on December 3rd from 7 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Okay, I'll second that motion. All those in favor, aye. All those opposed. Hearing and seeing none, the ayes have it. You're all set, sir. Your license has been granted. Thank you very much. All right, sir. Good to see you. Have a good time.
[SPEAKER_05]: Okay.
[Robert Delafano]: Okay, that brings us on to our two hearings at this point. First on the agenda, we have Yoki Japanese Restaurant and Bar as representative. Yes, come up, have a seat. Is it on your way?
[Paulette Van der Kloot]: No.
[Robert Delafano]: For the record, my name is Attorney Sylvia Kuzman, I represent Yoki. Okay. And with me is Mr. Hsu, he is the manager Thank you for coming in. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Let's see. One second here. I just got to switch screens a little bit. Alrighty. The public hearing of the City of Medford Liquor License Commission for 10-22-26 will come to order. I'd like to take a second to introduce the members of the City of Medford License Commission. My name is Robert Belofano. I am the chair commissioner for the City of Medford License Commission. I'm joined by my fellow commissioner, Alan Maturana.
Third Commissioner is Ben O'Sullivan Pierce. He was unable to make it today. So Alan and I will be handling the hearing along with Sergeant Smith from the Method Police Department. And this is Darrier, our secretary, who keeps it all together for us. And what I'm going to do first is I'm going to read the notice to appear that was sent to you the violation letter for the record. And it was hand-delivered by the Metropolitan Police on October 15th, 2026. It was October 16th. It was on Saturday. It was on the 16th, I'm sorry. 17th, I think. It's a Yoki Japanese restaurant in Bahrain. Attention.
I don't know how to say that name. a 62, uh, let station landing method mass, uh, regarding alcohol beverage license. Oh, a 674 dash rs dash 0680 62 station landing method mass. So 2155 notice a hearing ends to shoot on Thursday, October 22nd at 1 20 p.m. The Medford, Medford liquor license commission will hold a hearing pursuing to General law, 138 section 23 to discuss your alcoholic beverage license. Again, this is a license number that I previously mentioned at 62nd station in Medford. The hearing will be held in room 207, second floor, Medford City Hall, 85 George B. Asset Drive. The hearing will concern the report submitted to the commission by the Medford Police Department copies of which are enclosed regarding alleged sales of alcohol to minors.
You may attend this hearing and be represented by council to pay your own expense if you wish. These allegations, if proven, may constitute a violation of Massachusetts Laws Chapter 138, Section 34, furnishing an alcoholic beverage to a person or persons under 21 years of age. These allegations, if proven, would constitute grounds for disciplinary action, including a written warning, suspension, or revocation of your license. If you have any questions, please contact Area Sahara at 781-393-2409. Sincerely, Robert D'Alefano, Local License Commission Chairman. And that was also cc to the temporary on the police department, which is second Smith's superior.
[SPEAKER_05]: I'm going to. And by a 2nd, switch strings again. Okay.
[Robert Delafano]: Okay, I'm going to ask who's here to on behalf of the Method Police Department, which is Sergeant Patrick Smith. Thank you, Sergeant Smith. And who's present on behalf of the licensees?
[Paulette Van der Kloot]: Attorney Sylvia Guzman, who represents real food. Okay. And I'm joined by the manager of reference to shoot.
[Robert Delafano]: And is there anybody else here that would like to, that has any firsthand knowledge that would like to speak in regards to this? No. Okay. Okay. What I'm going to do now is I'm going to swear in all the parties. If you just raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? I do. I do.
[Paulette Van der Kloot]: I don't have to take it.
[Robert Delafano]: I don't take it. Oh, you don't take the oath. Okay.
[Paulette Van der Kloot]: The attorney does not take the oath. I gotcha.
[Robert Delafano]: Thank you. Okay. And next, I'm going to have Sergeant Smith. You can read the allegation evaluation, sir.
[Patrick Smith]: Between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Thursday, August 13th, Sergeant Patrick Smith conducted compliance checks of licensed liquor establishments within the city of Medford. I conducted these checks as an alcohol compliance officer for the City of Medford. Assisting with the compliance checks and working on behalf of the City of Medford Office of Outreach Prevention and... Medford Office of Prevention Outreach was Mr. Joseph Johnson, also assisting with two 20-year-old females and an 18-year-old female from the local area. The names and contact information are on file with the Medford Police in the Office of Prevention and Outreach. Prior to conducting any compliance checks, all three females provided signed release and parental permission documents. I administered a portable breath test to all three females that resulted in a rating of 0.0. They were advised as to how the compliance checks were to be conducted. They were told to enter a licensed liquor establishment without any form of identification on that person in order to hide seltzer or a bud light. If they were asked to provide identification, they would respond that they did not have an ID. If they were asked for their age, they were to respond honestly, 20 and 18. At no point were they to lie or attempt to deceive their true age. If they were served an alcoholic beverage, they were to contact Mr. Johnson or I. At no point were they to consume any of the alcoholic beverages. Mr. Johnson and I would be sitting in an unmarked Metro Police vehicle in close proximity to the establishment. They were provided with $40. Those bills were marked and reported. Should they need to purchase the alcoholic beverages, At approximately 6.05 p.m., I parked the unmarked police vehicle in the area of Yoki Japanese and Bar, 62 Station Landing, and one of the 20-year-old females entered the restaurant. Approximately 10 minutes after entering, Mr. Johnson received a text message indicating the female had been served an alcoholic beverage inside Yoki. At that time, I entered Yoki and observed the female sitting alone at the bar. In front of the female, I observed what I believed to be a mixed alcoholic beverage. I sat down at the bar and asked the female what type of beverage she had ordered. The female pointed to the menu and indicated she had ordered a mandarin blaze. The description below the mandarin blaze described the beverage to include absolute vodka and yuzu liqueur. The female explained that she has never asked for an ID and pointed out the bartender behind the bottle that served her. I thanked the female and asked her to return the vehicle. Moments later, the bartender approached me at the bar. I identified myself as a Method police officer. I informed the bartender that he had just served a 20-year-old alcoholic beverage. Bartender was subsequently identified as Mr. Justin Chen. He was born in 1999. Mr. Chen apologized and explained he always checks for IDs, but had a moment of weakness. I explained I needed to speak with the manager. After waiting five to 10 minutes, I learned the manager was not on site and on their way to the restaurant. Due to time constraints, I could not wait any longer and explained that I would return at a later date to speak with the manager. I emphasized the importance of checking IDs to prevent underage alcohol consumption. I informed Mr. Chen of this incident would be documented and reported to the city of Metro that the license commission had been returned outside and relayed my finance to Mr. Johnson. At the conclusion of the compliance checks, I administered a second portable breath test to the females that resulted in a rating of 0.0. The money was returned. No criminal charges were filed against Mr. Chen at that time. Just one thing of note for that one. I meant to go back that night and speak to the manager, but then I got tied up on a call that I couldn't have. I ended up being advocate for that in that house. I know I'm going to head back to the OP at the end of the day with compliance checks to talk to the manager.
[Robert Delafano]: No worries. Greg? Okay. At this point, the licensee or the representative, are there any additional comments?
[Paulette Van der Kloot]: Yes. Again, for the record, Sylvia Guzman, I represented the OP from the inception. of them purchasing this building. I've worked closely with Mr. Shu and Mr. Chen, not this Mr. Chen, the other Mr. Chen. We got this notice, I believe, on Saturday. You delivered it?
[Patrick Smith]: I delivered it. It was either Saturday or we made them in Sunday or another.
[Paulette Van der Kloot]: I think it was Saturday. That's what you told me. Yeah, I got the call on Sunday. Since then, I have met with the staff. I have met with The bartender, Mr. Chen, who I've honored, is a doctor. He's a doctor in pharmacy. And he works days at CVS as a pharmacist and does about 20-hour shifts a week. I've asked him what happened. He says he was just preoccupied getting the bar ready. They always check IDs. I can attest to the fact that whenever I go, I don't really drink, but everyone that I go with orders a drink and we get carded. So I was actually shocked to get this call. Since this happened, the manager has rounded up the whole staff, retrained everyone. Mr. Chen got his TIPS3 certification.
and all the staff is getting re-certified in TIPS given this. We understand TIPS is every three years. Sometimes people, you know, they get busy, they forget, and that's unacceptable. So the management has rounded everyone up and made sure that, you know, all procedures have been revisited and retaught and that everything is implemented. Everyone is to be re-certified in TIPS in the next month or so. And we apologize for this. And Mr. Chen, when I spoke to him, he said the only thing that he can think of is that he was preoccupied.
He works at CVS, does most of his hours there. He just finished school a few years ago trying to pass the boards. And he says that he's not even sure how that happened. She sat down, she ordered, but preoccupied with something else, made the drink, served it, and failed to check the ID. I do believe that this is done a few times a year, and this is the first time Yoki has failed.
[Patrick Smith]: I can attest to that. I've been doing it with the alcohol compliance, I think, four years now, and it's biannual, and Yoki has not searched. Yeah, I was surprised to see this.
[Paulette Van der Kloot]: So was I. You know, we, we accept the responsibility, but I can tell you that we have taken this extremely seriously and retrained the whole staff and demanded tips recertification from everyone.
[Robert Delafano]: Good. Thank you. Good. All right. Commissioner Matarano. How long have you been bartender? This is not Mr. Chen. No, I know. But how, how long has Mr. Chen?
[Paulette Van der Kloot]: Five years.
[Robert Delafano]: Five years.
[Paulette Van der Kloot]: He's been working as a bartender five years.
[Robert Delafano]: I get it. It's a moment of weakness. I get it. Sometimes you pull them all sorts of directions and things happen. Thank goodness this was a compliance check and this wasn't a couple of kids and then they get behind the wheel of a car and everything goes off the rails. So I get it. And that's the whole purpose of this, you know, these compliance checks to begin with. So I get it. And as I said, I was surprised to see the establishment missing or failing a compliance check. So I don't think we should, well, let me say this. Let's kind of talk about it. After let's yeah, my thought is, let's hear both of them out and then kind of. Talk it through and kind of look back at our records. That's just me thinking about. Yep. Okay. So I'm. I'm good for now. I'm good for now. Thank you. Thank you.
[Paulette Van der Kloot]: And I wanted to say, I think that you got busy. There was an incident across the street and I, I was told by. The, the people who are working that. officers came into Yopi that day to ask for assistance from the staff because they needed a Mandarin speaker. And in fact, one of the floor managers offered to go and assist because there was some big incident that happened across the street. And so, right, they needed someone to speak Mandarin. And the officers did come in and asked, can anyone help? And they did offer help. So Yoki has been a good neighbor and has tried to do everything possible. And even that day, they were of assistance.
[Robert Delafano]: Yeah, that's great. That's great. Yeah, I mean, I've eaten in there several times and food's always been great. It's always been clean. I've never seen any issues with anything.
[Paulette Van der Kloot]: Have you ever had a Red Sox monkey? I know what's in it, but it's delicious. And the crispy rice one doesn't have anything.
[Robert Delafano]: Okay. Yes. Sergeant, do you have any additional comments? Okay. Yeah, I myself, I think, like Commissioner Maturana said, we're going to take this under advisement. and you'll be notified with that decision. Other than that.
[Executive Assistant to the Mayor Daria Tejera]: Can I just ask that you send me, I know this also. Yeah, I was gonna say, I can also email it to you, so just so you have it once it's ready.
[Robert Delafano]: And Attorney Guzman, thank you for educating me on that the attorney doesn't have to get sworn in.
[Paulette Van der Kloot]: We don't get sworn in. We're officers of the court. I know attorneys never lie. We're here to advocate. We don't get sworn in. Thank you. Thank you.
[Robert Delafano]: Okay. Next on the agenda, we have the establishment located at 175 Riverside, Rivers Edge Drive. You look just like on television. Thank you. Yeah, you recognize me. If you could just kindly state your name and address for the record, that'd be great.
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: Matthew Greer II, 31 Highland Ave, Saugus, Massachusetts, 0906.
[SPEAKER_08]: New Brunswick, Massachusetts, 44 Walnut Hill Road in January, New Hampshire.
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: OK.
[SPEAKER_08]: And you're the owner?
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: I am, yes. I'm a partner. She's my sister and partner.
[SPEAKER_08]: I don't work there in the restaurant.
[Executive Assistant to the Mayor Daria Tejera]: I'm just a- You're like the back end, yeah.
[Robert Delafano]: How come you're not in the commercials? Can you do that?
[SPEAKER_08]: No, thank you.
[Robert Delafano]: Yeah, I kind of thought that the last name was rare.
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: It is. I don't have any hours in my vocabulary. So it's okay. I have to spell it.
[Robert Delafano]: I gotcha. Alrighty, well, what we're going to do is basically who we are and what the procedure was and all of that stuff. So what I think we're going to do is we'll start just by reading the The notice that you received, let me just get over into your folder. Okay, and was that. I have been delivered October 15, 2020 schedule that was Saturday. Yes, it was Saturday. Yes, the whole weekend. Right? Yeah. Alrighty. So, yeah, it was delivered October 16, 2026.
It says the establishment, attention, Matthew Green, the second manager on record, 175 Reynolds H Drive, Muffet Mass, 02155. So your name is Green or Greer? Greer.
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: Greer. G-R-E-E-R, yes. Okay, got it.
[SPEAKER_08]: We have it as Green, by the way. Nope. I see it on the original and then we changed it, I know, but it's Greer.
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: So, so when we originally got elected, I was a came green and we had a, it wasn't too difficult to change.
[SPEAKER_08]: Yeah. Let's change. Okay.
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: Common. It's been happening in my whole life.
[Robert Delafano]: Yeah. Well, I worked with a Mike for years, so, and it just kind of stuck with me the name. And I, uh, I just, when I noticed that he says, I thought it was great. But anyways, um, okay. You can look into it, right?
[Executive Assistant to the Mayor Daria Tejera]: Yeah, I want to make sure that the state has the right name.
[Robert Delafano]: Yeah, I think I'm pretty sure the state has the green too.
[Executive Assistant to the Mayor Daria Tejera]: Okay. What does it say on the license?
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: Rare now. It originally said green.
[SPEAKER_08]: Yeah.
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: That's when we noticed it when we got some paperwork with it as green. Right. We came right in.
[Robert Delafano]: That was the flag. Yeah.
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: Okay. Good.
[Robert Delafano]: All right. Well, anyways, it says alcoholic beverage. Yeah, 175 Rivers Edge Drive, Medford, Mass, regarding alcoholic beverages license number 08636-RS-0680, 175 Rivers Edge Drive, Medford, Mass, 02155, a notice of hearing. Dear Matthew Greer II, on Thursday, October 22nd, 2026, at 1.20 p.m., Medford Local License Commission will hold a hearing pursuant to General Law 13823, to discuss your alcoholic beverage license. It gives the number again at 175 Rivers Edge Drive, Medford, Mass. The hearing will be held in room 207, second floor, Medford City Hall, 85 Drive B, Acid Drive. The hearing will concern the report submitted to the commission by the Medford Police Department, copies of which are enclosed regarding the alleged sales of alcohol to minors.
You may attend this hearing and be represented by counsel at your own expense if you wish. These allegations, if proven, may constitute a violation of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 138-34, furnishing of alcoholic beverages to a person or persons under 21 years of age. These allegations, if proven, would constitute grounds for disciplinary action, including a written warning, suspension, or revocation of your license. If you have any questions, please contact Area to Area 781-393-2409. Sincerely, Ronald D'Alefano, Local License Commission Chair. And it is also CC to Lieutenant Murray Lockwood, Sergeant Smith, Superior.
Okay. Okay, and next we're going to It's just you two folks that are here on behalf of the license. And we have Sergeant Smith. What I'm going to do is swear in everybody. If you'd raise your right hand, you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I do. I do. All righty. And Sergeant, you can read the job.
[Patrick Smith]: First parcel, the same as the last one. You're going to hear it again. Between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2026, Sergeant Patrick Smith conducted compliance checks of licensed liquor establishments within the City of Medford. I conducted these checks as an Alcohol Compliance Officer for the City of Medford. Assisting with the compliance checks and working on behalf of the City of Medford Office of Prevention and Outreach was Mr. Joseph Johnson, also assisting with two 20-year-old females and an 18-year-old female from the local area. Their names and contacts information are on file with Medford Police and the Office of Prevention and Outreach. Prior to conducting any compliance checks, all three females provided signed release and parental permission documents. I administered portable breath tests to all three females that resulted in a rate of 0.0. They were advised as how the compliance checks were to be conducted. They were told to enter a license slip or establish without any form of identification on their person and order a hard seltzer or a butt light. If they were asked to provide identification, they would respond that they did not have an ID. If they were asked for their age, they would respond, honestly, 2018. At no point were they to lie or attempt to deceive their true age. If they were served an alcoholic beverage, they were to contact Mr. Johnson or I. At no point were they to consume the alcoholic beverage. Mr. Johnson and I would be sitting in an unmarked method police vehicle in close proximity to the establishment. They were provided with $40, which were marked and reported bills should they need to purchase the alcohol. At approximately 1830 hours, at 6.30 p.m., I parked the unmarked Method Police vehicle near the establishment, 175 Rivers Edge Drive. One of the 20-year-olds and the 18-year-old entered the restaurant. Approximately 10 minutes after entering, Mr. Johnson received a text message indicating the females had been served an alcoholic beverage inside the establishment. At that time, I entered the establishment and observed the female sitting at a table. In front of the 20-year-old, I observed what I believed to be a mixed alcoholic beverage. In front of the 18-year-old, I observed what I believed to be a glass of water. I sat down at the table and asked the females what type of beverages they had ordered. The 18-year-old explained she was nervous during the interaction and ordered a glass of water. The 20-year-old pointed to the menu and stated she ordered a strubber and mimosa rita. The description below the strawberry mimosa rediscribed the beverage to include Casa Negroes tequila. The 20-year-old explained she was never asked for an ID and pointed to the server that had served her the alcoholic beverage. I thanked the females and they returned to the vehicle. Moments later, the server and manager approached me. The server was identified as Ms. Samantha Israelson. She's born in 2003 and the manager is identified as Anna Soro. She's born in 91. Explained a 20 year old had been served an alcohol beverage. Ms. Israelson explained she is TIP certified and always checks IDs but had a moment of weakness. I emphasize the importance of checking IDs to prevent underage alcohol consumption. I inform Ms. Israelson and Ms. Soro the incident was documented and reported to the City of Medford Liquor License Commission and then returned outside and relayed my findings to Mr. Johnson. At the conclusion of the compliance checks, I administered a second portable breath test to the females that resulted in a rating of 0.0. Money was returned to me. No criminal charges would file against Ms. Israelson at this time. So the only thing of note is, this is the second time we've done the establishment. First time you guys passed. Thank you. This was the second time. Thank you. So I understand moments of weakness, but like they said, you know.
Yeah, we do this to prevent the real thing.
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: Yes. Understood. And we appreciate how professional you are because everybody I interacted with after the fact said, you know, stated that.
[Robert Delafano]: That's good. Okay. Well, you folks have a chance to an opportunity to speak anything you'd like to say on their behalf.
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: Yeah, I'm. It happened. As he pointed out, Samantha had a moment of weakness. We're very strict in our alcohol serving. I've held licenses for over 10 years and never had a problem while holding a license. We require every staff member to be TIP certified. It's entered into our scheduling program, HOT schedule, so we get a two week alert when they're when their tip certification is expiring. So we stay on top of it across the board. We have books in both locations. We have a sister location in Chelmsford. We have books with the tip certification. We take it very seriously. We've always had a policy of anyone who looks under 35, you card. We've changed that policy to anyone under 40.
We now have postings throughout our entire restaurant that anyone under 40 needs to be ID'd. Management and bartenders alike are on top of it, where if the bartender has time, they're now surveying the guest as well, that the server is serving, and then the managers also. On the floor checking as well, as far as Samantha goes, she had worked in our sister location before working in this location. She what we have our tip certification here. She has now done a surf safe. Alcohol certification as well. Um. you know, we took her off the schedule for two weeks, a two week period until we discussed it and she completed that certification while she was doing it. Now we have a zero tolerance policy. If any of our staff members in either location serve anybody without IDing them or underage, it will result in immediate termination. Okay. We've put checks, I brought folders to leave with you as well. We put checklists in place for awareness, training. We have it in our regular pre-shift meetings as reminders to remind everybody because life gets busy. We get busy keeping it, keeping it, keeping it. We would love that. Right. Keeping it fresh in their head. It starts with, our Serve Safe, Samantha's Serve Safe certification and our DIP certification that have both been complete. And these are the signs that we now have posted at every terminal where you're ringing in. In both restaurants. In both restaurants, yeah. We take it very seriously. We're happy, we're not happy that it happened, but we're happy that it happened, that we could learn the way it did to really vamp up our efforts And never stop because we've always taken it very, very seriously. And this was just a kind of a wake up call saying, you know, as serious as we take it, we have to make sure everybody understands how serious and we think that implementing the the now everybody has signed a signed a.
tip certification like that they're aware of it and that they understand that if they do over serve or serve somebody other than their age, that is a fireable offense.
[Robert Delafano]: So you mentioned Samantha got tips recertified with the other servers required to adjust.
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: We only had Samantha get tips recertified. I was curious. Yeah, I would I would I had heard that they did they did the and I tossed that idea around and we would have paid for the cost as well if we felt it necessary, but we haven't had a problem. We haven't had a problem in 10 years. And we do, I think it's more important to have the regular meetings and, and making it part of our pre shifts, where it's really, you know, a shiftly reminder to make sure you're checking IDs and how important it is.
[SPEAKER_08]: A lot of our people are like many restaurants between 21 and 25 years old, they need to be reminded Right, almost nightly, weekly, that this has to be done with signs and people saying it to them and being Oh, I just think at that young age, sometimes you're not always aware or you like Samantha, maybe she was embarrassed. I don't know the answer to what it means to say, you know, what was her reasoning behind it? She had a moment of weakness. I don't even know what that means. So I was trying to figure it out in my head. What could that mean to a 22 year old person, right? And I don't know if that means she the same age as her so she didn't want to, you know, So I'm trying to figure out, so we figured it was better to try to remind them daily, at every meeting, every shift, this is being happening, managers are watching what's happening. You will not have a job if you don't guide people, that's just the doubt. We have to make sure that doesn't happen.
[Robert Delafano]: And you know what, I hear what you're saying, and I think maybe some of that's to do with the fact that she's 22. So that could be a two. I mean, you're 21, everyone's off to the races at 21. So that could be a two. 31 and they really wouldn't be right in a question. Yes.
[SPEAKER_08]: Yeah, right big kids and no excuse for that. Yeah, they'll have to do their job and they have to do it correctly because that affects Everybody it could affect somebody in safety zone the kids that ordered it or anybody on the streets We did we thought about terminating her even and we said well without all these implementations in place and not saying that to the people
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: Everybody that works for now, they now they know it. So now I think right now you get the protocol. Yes.
[SPEAKER_05]: Correct.
[Robert Delafano]: Correct. Okay. I don't have any other questions. Very good. Sgt. Smith. Any other questions? Okay. Yeah, basically what we'll do the commission's going to take this matter under advisement and you'll be notified with that decision. Thank you. And you did mention that your staff, all is TIP certified.
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: Yeah, and I got all the certifications here and I'm more than happy to have everybody do the Serve Safe one if it's deemed necessary and we would pick up the costs for them to... We'll look it over, but we're not sure until we actually see what it involves with everything else.
[Robert Delafano]: I mean, we don't want to create any additional expenses as long as you're doing the right thing with the Serve Safe. I'm not certified. I mean, that's basically what we're most concerned about serve safe as food and everything else, but I'm sure there's a little portion in there for alcohol.
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: Yeah, they have 1 for alcohol as well. Sorry.
[Robert Delafano]: Well, that's good to know. I didn't know that either. And these are fire drills, you know, these, this is a fire.
[SPEAKER_08]: We kind of asked the initial thing that happened to us so upset about, but after initially said, Not that it's a good thing it happened, but it's a good thing it happened the way it happened. So now we are more aware to what we need to do every time. It's every day, it's every week, you have to do it. You have to remind the people that are working with you that you have to do the right thing. It's just you have to do that. And you don't do it every time, but now we do, and that, for both restaurants, they can only help us.
[Robert Delafano]: Yeah, just keep pounding it into the head. Exactly, exactly. Okay, well, you know, that concludes these hearings. And like I said, you'll be notified with that decision both parties and. And Alan, you want to make a motion to adjourn? Yeah, I make a motion to adjourn. It's almost. Not sure. Yeah. Okay. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Hearing and seeing none, motion to adjourn has been accepted. Thank you.
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: Thank you. Thank you.
[Executive Assistant to the Mayor Daria Tejera]: Thank you.
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: Yeah, I just leave. Yeah, because those are all copies. Anyways, thank you. All right. Thank you very much.
[Executive Assistant to the Mayor Daria Tejera]: All right. Thank you.
[MCM00001452_SPEAKER_12]: Thank you.
[Executive Assistant to the Mayor Daria Tejera]: Let me know when you want to turn the meeting actually. Yeah, you want me to do it right now? You got no other words? No, no, that's it.
[Robert Delafano]: So that wasn't like back-to-back, even though it was August 13th, it was... Hang on one second. Let me just... Shut up. Oh, I'm sorry. Okay, let's see. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Okay. End the meeting. That's all I have. Anyone else? I make a motion to adjourn all those in favor aye hearing and saying none motions been accepted meeting is adjourned.
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