A recent government meeting addressed allegations of misconduct against two local establishments, Middle Street Village Incorporated, doing business as The Village Smokehouse, and Blue Shamrock Incorporated. The discussions centered on violation hearings initiated by Gregory Huron, superintendent of police, regarding incidents that occurred in early August 2024.

The hearing for The Village Smokehouse was postponed after the establishment's attorney requested a continuance just before the meeting. Councilor Wood noted that the Lowell Police Department did not oppose the continuance but expressed concern over the late notice, which resulted in unnecessary overtime costs for officers present to testify. Wood emphasized the importance of timely communication for future hearings to avoid financial burdens on taxpayers.

Additionally, Wood raised concerns about a communication between the Smokehouse's counsel and a city solicitor, suggesting that it should be included in the public administrative record due to its relevance to the violation case. The commission unanimously agreed to admit the email into the record, highlighting the need for transparency in the proceedings.

The meeting also addressed the procedural aspects of the continuance request, with some commissioners expressing frustration over the last-minute nature of the request. However, they acknowledged the right of the licensee to have legal representation, which justified the postponement.

In a separate matter, the commission moved on to discuss allegations against Blue Shamrock Incorporated, which involved a failure to comply with age limit regulations. The attorney for Blue Shamrock, Michael Zane, indicated readiness to address the complaint, and the commission opted to waive the reading of the complaint to expedite the process.

The discussions reflect ongoing efforts by local authorities to ensure compliance with regulations governing alcohol licenses while balancing the rights of licensees to legal counsel and fair hearings. The commission plans to reschedule the hearing for The Village Smokehouse to September 12, 2024, while continuing to address the allegations against Blue Shamrock.