Selectmen postpone Santa Barbara Pub hearing
By Angela Greiner Contributing Writer

Hudson - At the Nov. 5 Board of Selectmen meeting, the selectmen voted, 3-2, to grant Santa Barbara Pub another continuance on the pub's most recent alleged liquor license violation.

Selectman Carl Leeber made the motion to grant the continuance until Monday Dec. 3, although it was "through gritted teeth," he said.

The decision came after defense lawyer Charles Hughes appealed to the board on behalf of the pub owner Joe Bairos's lawyer Frederick Busconi. He explained that he was a friend of Busconi, who was unable to attend the meeting because of medical issues.

After a lengthy discussion, the selectmen agreed to the appeal on the grounds that Bairos would assume the costs of postponing the meeting, agree to stop serving alcohol at 11:30 p.m. and would commence voluntary suspension of his liquor license if the hearing does not take place Dec. 3.

The hearing is the result of a complaint about an alleged incident at the bar that was made to the Police Department Aug. 31, according to Police Chief Richard Braga.

Leeber expressed his concern about the number of times the pub has come before the board since 2002.

"I think this board has been very patient with the licensee," Leeber said.

Selectman Joseph Durant, who voted against the continuation, said that offering to pay the accrued cost was a good faith effort, but he was reluctant to grant a continuance.

Selectman Santino Parente also voted against the continuance after expressing concern about delaying the hearing yet another month. The delay came after Bairos could not make the initial hearing scheduled for Sept. 17, then postponed twice again - to Oct. 1and Nov. 5 - while he sought appropriate legal council.

"I can't see extending this another month," Parente said. "Let's go tonight."

He added that the board members have been more than accommodating about the issue.

Fielding the selectmen's concerns that this was a means of delaying the hearing, Hughes reassured them that he did not know the history of the case and that he was not Bisconni's partner. Hughes assured the board that if Bisconni could not attend the hearing Dec. 5 for health reasons, that Hughes himself would be prepared to represent Barois.

"Provided I can get up that morning and I can walk," Hughes said, "I will be here."

In other business, the selectman approved the application of Scott Morrissey of Open Road Motorcars Inc. for a Class 2 license to operate at 561 Main St. Legal counsel was sought by the selectmen after attorneys from a Lexington based business voiced opposition to Morrissey using the business name. The legal counsel explained that Morrissey proved that he had the name Open Road Motorcars Inc., which had been approved by the state and issued to him in 2003.

In addition, the selectman encouraged Christmas tree vendors to get their applications for licenses in as soon as possible. The selectman unanimously approved three licenses for Christmas tree sales.

The selectmen's next meeting is scheduled for Monday Nov. 19.