[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6243004,"mediaKeyId","3243423-84fbdda2b4d5d7fa991f0f94afd71337","parentId",3243423,"title","Licensing commission finds Heller's Liquors in violation after police video shows alcohol consumed on premises; two-day suspension held in abeyance","audioSeconds",4411,"startMs",1544000,"endMs",5955000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3243423-84fbdda2b4d5d7fa991f0f94afd71337&start=1544&end=5955","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3243423-84fbdda2b4d5d7fa991f0f94afd71337/thumbnail_1544000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6243004/Chelsea-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Licensing-commission-finds-Hellers-Liquors-in-violation-after-police-video-shows-alcohol-consumed-on-premises-two-day-suspension-held-in-abeyance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243004-2d89e0fdaeeafebc096f981a590824f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185367&Signature=QjrpmvLZTP49qQYqGPSA4h1CWfmKGCoW6DMS2n3LeUtXeTFAyE9a9tN3Y63Qb0nedTSgPPqf4UD54LEDyARmOxmLqButLUQ~Q48CA10SnkE-8ED~N-2aStuoep8m1YwBwIXU2L90FINOsuX9frQ7vEPCjqWNYJ7hdr4lbXzQpKVm8NpZIzAQRU5gfhXjHHLYNywqL~eFj58jY3BcIxvlPpvgHsGph2osHeXr6ypX0v5DoR2HymabPVoTZLlsvJm21zqqrijbmH0pLnDvnXM043h7LgEJGJFvjsh1JBfazznaHo~y6nII~dmC2doyOXs2orCQ-51oIUO7pcofS6EEiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chelsea City, MA","date","2025-05-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Chelsea Licensing Commission found Unity Beverages Incorporated, doing business as Heller's Liquors at 429 Broadway, in violation of Chelsea licensing rules on May 8 after police investigative reports and surveillance and body-worn camera footage showed alcohol sold to patrons who later consumed it and additional compliance gaps.

Sergeant Chung of the Chelsea Police Department presented an investigation into incidents on March 11 and related administrative inspections. Chung testified that officers observed multiple purchases by two men and later observed one of the men drink from a bottle near the store. Chung described the confiscated bottle to the commission: \"it's it indeed was a pint size, which is 375 ml of ruble vodka with 40% alcohol volume of ethanol and is listed as 80 proof. As I held the bottle in my hand, I observed that a quarter of the alcohol of the bottle was already gone.\" The sergeant also detailed interior and exterior surveillance and said staff were unable to readily produce required licensing rules displayed conspicuously at the counter.

Officer Barker Santiago and other officers also testified about an April 8 administrative inspection in which staff turned away several customers who appeared intoxicated; the inspection found a set of posting, training and surveillance shortcomings. Commission members and police discussed that the store used motion-triggered cameras that created gaps in footage; the police recommended a continuous 30-day rolling system for transparency and evidence preservation.

Attorney Jeff Turco and owner Ike Asog responded for Heller's. Turco said the owner had the rules and regulations in an office in the basement but did not have them immediately available during the inspection; Asog told the commission he had dismissed the cashier involved in the incident and had placed binders with the rules and permits in the stores. \"I have, and just of importance, I've let this cashier go,\" Asog told the commission when asked about staff training and steps taken.

Commissioners reviewed applicable local licensing rules cited by police (sections 2.03, 2.08 p, 2.09 and 2.13) and state law references about sale to intoxicated persons. After deliberation the commission voted to find Heller's in violation of three specified items: failure to have rules conspicuously available (2.02/2.03), sale/delivery to an intoxicated person (2.08 p), and consumption/illegal activity on the premises (2.13). The commission then approved a disciplinary package: a two-day suspension placed in abeyance for six months provided Heller's completes specified actions — return of signed TIPS/serving-safety certifications for all employees, upgrade of surveillance to a continuous 30-day rolling system, and confirmation by police that required signage and pricing are posted and compliant. If the licensee fails to provide the certifications, does not complete upgrades, or returns with another disciplinary matter within six months, the suspension will be imposed and further sanctions may follow.

Why this matters: the decision underscores local enforcement expectations for off-premise alcohol retailers: staff training, conspicuous posting of licensing materials, robust surveillance, and refusal of sales to intoxicated persons are treated as enforceable licensing obligations. The commission emphasized staff safety and recordkeeping, and required steps intended both to correct observed violations and to protect the business and patrons.

Key details from the record: officers observed the purchase of hard liquor at roughly 8:13 a.m., 9:05 a.m., and again by the same patrons; video and on-scene officers interrupted a fourth attempted sale at about 1:02–1:10 p.m.; a written directive to provide surveillance footage was delivered on March 13 and the owner was given several days to produce requested video; the police noted motion-censored camera gaps and recommended continuous recording.

Next steps: the licensee must submit TIPS/serving-safety certificates for all employees, confirm surveillance upgrades and signage/pricing compliance with the police, and avoid any new licensing violations for six months to keep the abeyance in place. The commission will record the findings and monitor compliance as part of its licensing oversight.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chelsea City Licensing Commission Meeting of 5-8-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Chelsea Licensing Commission found Unity Beverages Incorporated, doing business as Heller's Liquors at 429 Broadway, in violation of Chelsea licensing rules on May 8 after police investigative reports and surveillance and body-worn camera footage showed alcohol sold to patrons who later consumed it and additional compliance gaps.","taxTitle","Chelsea City, Suffolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",78275,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6243009,"Chelsea police, city attorneys limit constable duties to civil process; annual renewals to remain",251,797000,1048000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3243423-84fbdda2b4d5d7fa991f0f94afd71337&start=797&end=1048","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3243423-84fbdda2b4d5d7fa991f0f94afd71337/thumbnail_797000.jpg","/articles/6243009/Chelsea-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Chelsea-police-city-attorneys-limit-constable-duties-to-civil-process-annual-renewals-to-remain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243009-6a61b96d657ea402f98cd892a4b35b07/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185367&Signature=Ak~fp-El6hHrjb4mcTdbyMFLX2CbACcGaD0nG1cdJr10ooS1nGAF5a2CjwQTr-IY2Sw5sAJvrvhEzevM1yByp2K0qZ8DFkPovOzMA5yKQhjYoIeI5~m4eTyxQDif7EPz2rIr94jfb1DmLalj~XGVSkPDdKczi5Lvm0C5YdidFLkZ0vahDvtkyUR2gUN2jUnM8tCanEibmzsBK8ea148H58iUADW6Y3G4V-x0QzPv2LX37HFxjjxFlK31TUubYTYRSibASqYJG9BMoWkoIXZWrb~ZXSV-5cpvo4l-5NejH~OI7-tVxceCpHuIIOJ1krJRmPHd~u9-SJ~hTpyc-16aRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chelsea’s police department and the city law department told the Licensing Commission on May 8 that constables who previously had arrest powers will be limited to serving civil process and will operate through the law department to avoid triggering training and certification requirements under recent police reforms.

Chief Owen of the Chelsea Police Department said the change follows the Police Reform Act and related guidance: \"We will work out of the law office, only serving civil process. If they're only serving papers, not affecting any civil arrest, they don't fall under the Police Reform Act and they can continue doing service with the city,\" he said.

Assistant City Solicitor Peter Christopher confirmed the plan, and Sergeant Chung explained the licensing office will continue to run background checks for constables who work for the city; Suffolk County sheriff’s civil division was noted as separately cleared and handled by that agency. Commissioners and the chief discussed renewals: the city will require constables who fall under city oversight to renew licenses every year rather than every three years.

A member of the public with knowledge of state practice also described recent court and regulatory developments involving evictions and POST certification, saying the housing court pushed back on a statewide letter that had treated evictions as arrests; court and housing authorities have discussed limits on firearms during evictions. Commission discussion focused on clarifying that the local approach allows civil-process service without arrest authority and that the licensing unit will continue annual background checks and ID verification for those working under city oversight.

Why this matters: the change narrows constables' practical authority in Chelsea to civil-process work (serving papers) and keeps them outside the scope of police-training mandates that would apply to arrests. Annual review and background checks also create a shorter oversight cycle for the city licensing office.

Next steps: licensing staff, police and the law department will implement the change in practice and maintain annual renewals and background checks for constables who perform civil process for the city.","City officials and the Chelsea Police Department told the Licensing Commission on May 8 that, after the 2020 Police Reform Act and related guidance, constables with arrest powers will operate only out of the law department to carry out civil process and will have no arrest authority; licensing renewals will be required annually.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6243014,"Chelsea Licensing Commission approves RISE Holdings name change, adds medical marijuana to license",124,626000,750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3243423-84fbdda2b4d5d7fa991f0f94afd71337&start=626&end=750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3243423-84fbdda2b4d5d7fa991f0f94afd71337/thumbnail_626000.jpg","/articles/6243014/Chelsea-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Chelsea-Licensing-Commission-approves-RISE-Holdings-name-change-adds-medical-marijuana-to-license","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243014-aa2efa2fc70ba2bf0566e1371157f82d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185367&Signature=i08Mlg0yjyT6PcbgbZmG3yFANRBvCoqJi8jZfQfBRkYFA4-FQ~TRD4XxKiepB8XDG5jVjWd7VI35k6YLYcZyWmQHwVtxLO3s2zdUIDemMKpcJtV3iQGN80GoVxb8IAseYevZVdiC7tOEddHGTyaF2~k-RxegsjVP5XsiF6lUpZhLQ~t~0Go5GvJK~93CCC2aZ9lr0oYUUNpl3I-MrpU9aeiZar3QUyzdpjmRwhlHpRADpuPQGA1-owMLahn5X-5Cab9~O7MRg50YK6t2wrD~v0YEsLD6rfOt13RJzOPyA6OmjbURn2RdSciP7q6F3vAL7sHzeTpv1sN~tB~puvQzGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chelsea Licensing Commission on May 8 voted to approve a corporate name change to RISE Holdings Incorporated and to amend the business's cannabis license to include medical marijuana for RISE, operating at 200 Beecham Street in Chelsea.

The change was presented to the commission by attorney Walt Silverman, who said the amendment is intended to align the store with state rules that require vertically integrated operations for medical cannabis: \"We're changing the name to RISE Holdings, Inc, and we're asking for medical, and that will be compliant with the state's regulations as well,\" Silverman said.

The commission's chair, Marty McAlpine, called for questions; Chelsea Police Department representative Sergeant Chung reported no police concerns related to the application, noting \"there are none. There's literally 0 cause. There's 1 call in the area. It's not even by the establishment.\" No members of the public spoke against the application.

After a motion and second, commissioners voted unanimously to approve both the corporate name change and the addition of medical marijuana to the license.

Why this matters: adding medical marijuana expands the types of cannabis sales the business can lawfully make and requires compliance with state cannabis regulations that can include requirements for cultivation or manufacturing relationships. The commission recorded the approval and will rely on state oversight and local licensing rules for continued compliance.

Next steps: the licensee will proceed under the RISE Holdings name and must remain compliant with state cannabis regulations and any follow-up requirements from the city's licensing office.","The Chelsea Licensing Commission on May 8 approved a corporate name change to RISE Holdings Inc. for the business operating as RISE at 200 Beecham Street and amended the establishment's application to add medical marijuana, following testimony that the change aligns the store with state vertical-integration rules.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Licensing commission finds Heller's Liquors in violation after police video shows alcohol consumed on premises; two-day suspension held in abeyance

Chelsea police, city attorneys limit constable duties to civil process; annual renewals to remain

Chelsea Licensing Commission approves RISE Holdings name change, adds medical marijuana to license