Extra Selectmen Meetings Needed to Address 9 Failed Liquor License Compliance Checks

Multiple meetings will be needed for the selectmen to address the nine businesses that allegedly served alcohol to an underaged person during a compliance check performed by the Foxborough Police Department.

During a discussion of the scheduling, Town Manager Bill Keegan suggested splitting the hearings over two meetings, with selectman John Gray recommending possibly having three meetings with three hearings each evening.

Last week, it was made known that Chickie Flynn’s, Demitri’s Red Snapper, Lafayette House, Renaissance Hotel at Patriot Place, Saga Hibachi Steakhouse, Showcase Cinema De Lux, Skipjack’s, Tavolino’s and Waxy O’Connor’s Irish Pub had all served alcohol to a 19-year-old male that assisted police with the compliance check.

For Skipjack’s, this is the second time the restaurant has failed the check. The restaurant was one of three to fail last year’s check. Waxy O’Connors was last in front of the selectmen in January 2013 for a failed compliance check from September 2012. The violation was their fourth in less than two years. This most recent violation is the first under the new management that took over after the fourth violation.

As part of the compliance check, the male walked into the establishments and ordered an alcoholic beverage. If the person was asked for identification or his age, he handed over his real under-21 license or said his real age.

The establishments were given notice by the police that the checks were going to take place.

The first set of hearings will take place on Oct. 21 at the earliest with all the hearings to take place on Tuesdays. During the hearings, the selectmen will hear testimony from Foxborough police Sgt. Richard Noonan who conducted the operation and the 19-year-old who assisted in the operation will be asked to attend in the attire he wore during the checks.

The establishments will also have a chance to address the selectmen.

To make time for the hearings, the selectmen will have a meeting next Tuesday to address regular business.