NORWELL - October 15 - The Norwell Select Board unanimously approved an all-alcohol on-premise license for Cheever Tavern Events, a new 46-seat function room operated by White Cap Performance LLC at 690 Main Street, Unit 1. The approval is conditional upon the business receiving necessary zoning approvals from the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, which will review unresolved parking and site plan issues at upcoming hearings.
The Full Story
At its October 15, 2025 meeting, the Norwell Select Board held a public hearing and voted to grant White Cap Performance LLC, operating as Cheever Tavern Events, a Section 12 all-alcohol on-premise license, a common victualer’s license, and approval for Michael J. Sheehan as manager of record. The business will operate as a function room with catering services at 690 Main Street, Unit 1, adjacent to the existing Cheever Tavern restaurant operated by the same owner.
Attorney Walter Sullivan, representing White Cap Performance, explained that the function room will serve a community need for smaller event venues, accommodating only 46 guests for bereavements, corporate meetings, family events, showers, and christenings. “There really is a need for a small place for functions in town instead of using a restaurant that’s more expensive,” Sullivan told the board. The business anticipates hosting between 100 and 150 events annually, with each event averaging four hours in duration.
The license will permit alcohol service from 10:00 a.m. to midnight, seven days per week, matching the operating hours of the adjacent restaurant. Sheehan emphasized that food will be provided by the sister restaurant next door or outside caterers, as the function room will not have a dedicated kitchen due to space limitations. The venue will be entirely valet-operated, with agreements in place for shared parking at Coastal Heritage Bank and at 695 Main Street across the street.
The approval came with an important caveat due to ongoing zoning complications. Vice Chair Brian Greenberg, running the meeting in the absence of Chair Peter Smellie, acknowledged “a pretty unfortunate situation with respect to the zoning, where a former building official made a mistake and made a determination that was incorrect or purportedly incorrect.” These issues, including parking requirements and site plan review, remain pending before the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.
Board member Andy Reardon expressed concern about parking capacity, noting the busy nature of Main Street and the need for a comprehensive parking plan. “My only concern, again, is if we start to share parking,” Reardon said, adding that he wanted to ensure neighboring businesses like the country store would not be negatively impacted. Sullivan assured the board that valet service would utilize the shared parking agreements, with parking spaces located less than 100 feet away via an existing crosswalk.
Sullivan clarified the licensing process, explaining that even with Select Board approval, the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) must approve the license before it returns to the Select Board for final issuance. Critically, the license will not be issued until the business obtains a certificate of occupancy from the building department, which cannot occur until all zoning issues are resolved. “Select boards do not issue the license until we get a certificate of occupancy,” Sullivan stated.
The board voted to approve the license conditionally, with the understanding that if the Planning Board and ZBA do not grant the necessary approvals, the certificate of occupancy will not be issued and the liquor license will effectively not take effect. Greenberg noted that he did not foresee a scenario where the Select Board would override decisions made by the Planning Board and ZBA after those bodies conduct their comprehensive reviews.
Board member Ren Layne confirmed that Cheever Tavern has been a good tenant with no licensing or public safety concerns. Town Administrator Darleen Sullivan stated that no issues had been brought to her attention regarding the existing restaurant operation. Layne noted that even the Norwell Middle School PTO volunteer appreciation event held at the restaurant “managed to keep it pretty calm.”
The board also addressed a related business, Sparrell’s Cafe, which will operate as a retail-only establishment with no table seating despite some confusion from earlier architectural plans. Sullivan clarified that what appeared to be tables on the plans were actually shelving units, and the business would focus on curbside takeout, Uber Eats, and similar quick-service models to minimize parking impacts.
Layne raised concerns about valet parking operations, asking that drivers adhere to the 25-mile-per-hour speed limit despite pressure to move cars quickly. “I’ve been fortunate to go to places that I’ve had my car valet parked, and there have been times where I have observed valet parkers and drivers not necessarily adhering to posted speed limits,” Layne said. Sheehan assured the board they would be working with a leading valet service.
Town Administrator Darleen Sullivan reported on the budget process, noting that budget memos have been distributed to departments with a December 5 deadline for submissions. She outlined a timeline including opening the warrant in January and closing it in February, with ongoing work on health insurance and revenue projections. Sullivan also announced she will be on vacation and unavailable for the November meetings, traveling to Tuscany, Italy.
Sullivan confirmed that no special town meeting will be held this fall, with the town instead focusing on the regular May 2026 annual town meeting. The decision was based on cost-benefit analysis and the need to concentrate on budget preparation.
Regarding the 271 Main Street property, Sullivan reported that while the Select Board previously voted to move forward with community housing development, the town has been approached by a potential purchaser interested in buying the property for their own affordable housing project. Following discussion, the board and Community Housing Trust agreed to proceed with Phase Two planning studies before making any decisions, as those results may inform future options including a potential sale.
Why It Matters
The approval of the Cheever Tavern Events liquor license provides Norwell residents and businesses with a new small-venue option for private events, filling a gap in the local market for intimate gatherings that don’t require a full restaurant buyout. However, the license remains contingent on resolving parking and zoning issues that have arisen from errors by a former building official. The outcome of upcoming Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals hearings will ultimately determine whether the function room can open as planned. Residents concerned about parking impacts on Main Street will have opportunities to provide input at those future public hearings.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approve the meeting agenda with postponement of item C. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:01:36)
Motion: Accept October 1st meeting minutes as presented. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:01:55)
Motion: Close public hearing for Cheever Tavern Events liquor license application. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:32:06)
Motion: Issue all-alcohol Section 12 on-premise license to White Cap Performance LLC/Cheever Tavern Events, conditional upon approval by Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:32:47)
Motion: Issue common victualer’s license to White Cap Performance LLC/Cheever Tavern Events. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:33:02)
Motion: Approve Michael J. Sheehan as manager of record for White Cap Performance LLC/Cheever Tavern Events. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:33:12)
Motion: Approve one-year extension of Cross Street Flower Farm license agreement at Jacob’s Farm, extending term from December 31, 2027 to December 31, 2028. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-1. (Timestamp: 0:38:50)
Motion: Adjourn meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:42:01)
Public Comment
No public comments were made during the designated public comment period or during the public hearing for the Cheever Tavern Events liquor license application.
What’s Next
The Cheever Tavern Events liquor license application will proceed to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) for state-level approval. Upon ABCC approval, the license will return to the Select Board for final issuance, contingent upon the business obtaining a certificate of occupancy from the building department. Before a certificate of occupancy can be issued, White Cap Performance LLC must obtain site plan review approval from the Planning Board and necessary parking-related approvals from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Public hearings on those matters will be scheduled and noticed separately. The Select Board will meet next on October 29, 2025, with agenda items including a Prime Auto Sales rehearing and a boardwalk construction update from the Department of Public Works. The budget process continues with department submissions due December 5, 2025, followed by one-on-one meetings with the Town Administrator beginning in January 2026.