May 22, 2013 –Springfield, MA- The City of Springfield Law Department (City) is set to issue a Demand to Cease and Desist to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Society, Inc. located at 13-15 Winthrop Street after city officials learned that they hosted “18 and over, 21 to drink” type of events on May 4 and May 11, 2013. The letter was expected to be served today.
The letter (see attached), issued by Assistant City Solicitor Stephen M. Reilly, Jr., stated that “in order to conduct such an event under a pouring license, licensees are required to obtain a City of Springfield Special Event Permit from the Springfield entertainment license granting authority.” No such application has been filed for this event with the City’s entertainment licensing authority.
“The City has had a policy in place for Under 21 events and in this case it has not been followed,” stated Mayor Domenic J Sarno. “The City put the Under 21 event policy in place to ensure public safety is a priority.”
The May 4, 2013 event has been advertised via flyers which state “18+ to party 21+ to drink”. The Advertisement indicates the location of the May 4, 2013 event to be “Mt. Carmel Club, 13 Winthrop Street, with music by Daddy Monchy.” The May 11, 2013 event was again advertised with a location of “Mt. Carmel Club” with “NYC Saturday” as its theme and again listing “18+ to party 21+ to drink”.
The letter has been addressed to Mr. Raffaele Russo, Manager of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society, Inc. A notice of hearing will also be issued for a hearing to be conducted in front of the Board of License Commissioners for these events.