Cohasset Select Board Approves New Gastro Pub, Rejects Sewer District Expansion
Board grants liquor license transfer to Hooper's Judge, votes against controversial Lambert's Lane sewer connection
COHASSET - April 29 - The Cohasset Select Board approves a liquor license transfer for a new gastro pub while rejecting a citizen's petition to expand the North Cohasset sewer district during their April 29 meeting.
Brian McLaughlin, the applicant for the liquor license transfer, plans to transform the former Blue Ore restaurant at 9 Depot Court into Hooper's Judge, a gastro pub serving craft cocktails and upscale pub food.
"He intends to repurpose the restaurant as a gastro pub named Hooper's Judge, which is going to serve craft cocktails and upscale pub food," says attorney Jeff De Lisi, representing McLaughlin at the meeting.
The new establishment will maintain the same seating capacity as the previous restaurant, with 80 seats inside and 24 seasonal outdoor seats. McLaughlin requests operating hours from 10 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., seven days a week.
McLaughlin brings significant restaurant experience to the venture. According to De Lisi, "Brian has been involved with the restaurant business since he was 12 years old as a dishwasher through college, has managed open restaurants, manage restaurants."
McLaughlin also operates a Mexican restaurant in Hingham called Locales Tacos y Tequila. He hopes to open Hooper's Judge in July, pending approval from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
The board unanimously approves both the all-alcohol annual license and common victualer license for Hooper's Judge.
In a more contentious matter, the board votes unanimously against supporting a citizen's petition to expand the North Cohasset sewer district to include property at 30 and 32 Lamberts Lane.
John Armand, the petitioner, argues that connecting to the sewer system makes more environmental sense than installing septic systems for the four houses he plans to build on his subdivided two-acre lot.
"We have septics already designed and ready to go, but we think it's better for the environment and better for the new residents and better for the neighbors to connect to sewer if we can," Armand tells the board.
Armand contends that when the sewer district was created in 2014, the town used outdated plans from 2002 that incorrectly split his parcel. He claims his entire property should have been included in the district.
"In 2008, there was a transaction that made that parcel one complete tax lot. And in 2014, when they drew the sewer districts, they use a 2002 plan. So, technically, they didn't use the right plan when they designed the sewer districts," Armand explains.
Town Manager Chris Senior clarifies that town counsel reviewed Armand's position and disagrees with his interpretation, confirming there were two separate parcels when the district was created.
Board members express concern about setting a precedent that could lead to numerous similar requests.
"I don't think we want to open this door because Chairman Maher is very correct. There are unintended consequences," says board member Jack Creighton. "This has nothing to do with you. It's meant inadvertently open up doors of precedent, which would be used by less desirable development entities."
Chair Ellen Maher echoes this concern: "My concern is really the bigger picture and what may happen. Do we get a citizen's petition at every town meeting to 'Can I connect here? Can I connect there?'"
The petition will still go before Town Meeting, where it requires a two-thirds majority to pass.
In other business, the board:
- Approves Safe Harbor Coalition's request to display signs on the town common from May 1-10 for National Prevention Week, which focuses on suicide awareness, substance use awareness, and mental health
- Endorses the Cohasset High School pre-prom red carpet event at the church on May 23, with the traditional senior pictures display on the common from May 11 to June 7
- Hears a presentation from Safe Harbor Youth Ambassadors about their experience at the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America conference in Washington, D.C.
- Approves Eagle Scout Joseph Carvalho's proposal to build a community kiosk on the town common for Safe Harbor to post messages and events
- Supports the Roads and Sidewalks Committee's request for a sidewalk on lower Pond Street to improve safety for schoolchildren
- Receives an update on the tennis court project, with Assistant Town Manager Michelle Leary explaining that despite some surface issues, the courts will be properly completed after the current sports season ends
The board also prepares for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting on May 12, reviewing which members will speak on various warrant articles. Town Manager Chris Senior announces that printed warrants are being mailed to residents and additional information is available on the town website.
The Select Board's next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6.