AMHERST – A long delay in opening a downtown Italian restaurant, prompted by the unexpected need to switch to propane gas when a moratorium on new natural gas hookups was imposed by Berkshire Gas in spring 2015, will not yet cost the owner his liquor license.
Though Fratelli’s Ristorante at 30 Boltwood Walk is more than a year behind its scheduled opening, and owner Joseph Bowman was at risk of losing his license because the eatery has not yet opened, the Select Board Monday gave Bowman an extension until Nov. 1 to be up and running,
“We’re actually looking to utilize the license very shortly,” Bowman said.
The board was acting on what are termed “pocket licenses,” in which restaurant and bar owners will hold a license but then not use it.
Though this has been an issue in some communities, it’s a less pronounced problem in Amherst, which can issue up to 40 all-alcohol, on-premise licenses. Even before threatening to take back Bowman’s license, the Select Board could still issue an additional six.
Select Board Chairwoman Alisa Brewer said even though pocket licenses are not negatively affecting someone else’s opportunity to open a business in Amherst, the town still requires people to operate a business once their license is issued.
Both Fratelli’s and AfterBurner Inc., which held an all-alcohol license for the Hangar site at 55 University Drive, were sent letters Dec. 23, 2015, warning that they had six months to begin using their licenses. On July 8, they were again sent letters advising them to attend the meeting.
Bowman said he lost his entire 2015 summer when Berkshire Gas imposed a moratorium that required installation of a propane tank.
Now, a year later, Bowman said he is in the process of finalizing construction and hiring staff.
“Fratelli’s will be coming soon,” Bowman said, adding that the worst-case scenario is to be open by Nov. 1.
Though he was given a reprieve, the board unanimously voted to cancel the license held by AfterBurner Inc. The company no longer needs that license after the Hangar moved to 10 University Drive and took over operations at Amherst Brewing Co.
In other business, voters will get a say on whether to support a Proposition 2 ½ debt-exclusion override to pay for an expanded Wildwood School when they vote for president Nov. 8.
Though the town’s share of the cost is likely to be between $30 million and $33 million, this figure, by state law, cannot be on the ballot
The project would create two 375-student schools, with all Amherst children attending grades 2 to 6 at one site.
The Select Board approved the vote to both save money on holding an election and to encourage wider participation.
Laura Quilter, a member of Save Amherst’s Small Schools that is opposed to the project, said having the vote in November makes sense.
“For voter turnout reasons and to get a really representative view, the November election would be better,” Quilter said.
But there is some worry about college students who will participate in large numbers to vote for president and the question legalizing marijuana.
Hilda Greenbaum, of Montague Road, said the school vote should be for those particularly affected, long-time residents and property owners, rather than college students.
Quilter said she is not worried about the impact of student voters, and that many will ignore the question.
“People who are not understanding of the question will frequently skip the question,” Steinberg said.
Amherst blogger Larry Kelley said was more concerned about the fact that no amount will be on the ballot, calling it “patently absurd” and a “blank check.”
But Brewer said the board is not legally allowed to put the dollar figure on the ballot.
Town Meeting will have to authorize the borrowing at a session in the fall.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
