The Select Board approved the late application ahead of this weekend’s annual fundraising event on campus.
DANVERS, MA — Beer and wine will be allowed to be served at Essex Tech’s annual Larkin Gala this weekend after the Danvers Select Board on Thursday night approved a late application for a one-day liquor license.
The one-day approval comes after the school pulled an application in front of the Select Board in June for a full liquor license after neighbors raised concerns about the number of events Essex Tech would hold at the rebuilt venue, and that alcohol would be served at the school campus in a residential neighborhood.
Danvers Essex Tech’s ‘The Larkin’ Entertainment License Approved With Conditions
The school was approved for a seven-day entertainment license at the time, with the expectation that it would seek a one-day liquor license for any special events and report back to the Select Board in the fall on the status of operations and any complaints.
Essex Tech Superintendent Heidi Riccio said the late application to the Select Board was because the caterer — Vinwood Caterers of Ipswich — had believed the event was a private one, and not open to the public via ticket sales.
“We know that this was an added duty for you,” Riccio told the Select Board. “Unfortunately, I found out on Sunday evening, around 6 p.m., that this was required. This is certainly not my (mode of operation). I think you know me by now that I do like to be prepared appropriately.”
Riccio said this year’s event is expected to draw between 85 and 110 guests for the cocktail-style event with some seating. She said the event will start at 6 p.m. on Saturday and end at 9 p.m., with all guests leaving the venue by 10 p.m.
She said the alcohol will be served by adults employed at Vinwood Caterers, with Essex Tech students acting as cooks, hors d’ouevres servers, and performing other hospitality-related duties related to their areas of study at the school.
Select Board member Daniel Bennett said that while the late application “doesn’t make me happy,” it is not unprecedented, and not — in his mind — a reason for solely denying the application.
The application passed by a vote of 3-1.
Neighbors said in June that the school has already been a challenge with traffic, noise, parking issues, and other concerns without the new event center, while some Select Board members worried about the fairness of having a school-affiliated “deregulated LLC” that does not pay taxes competing for commercial events with other businesses in town.
Riccio told the Board on Thursday that the school was applying for the license on its own and dissolved plans for the LLC after the spring meetings with the Select Board following the decision not to pursue a full liquor license.
She said the Essex Tech School Committee approved the bid for the one-day license, putting the school in compliance with state laws regarding alcohol being served at campus events.
“That was a concern that was brought to us by one of our neighbors,” Riccio said. “Legally, we are able to do it … as long as the School Committee is aware and has approved it. And the School Committee has approved the use of the Larkin and the use of alcohol service, obviously using Vinwood Catering.”
(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)