TOWN OF IPSWICH

Department of Public Safety

15 Elm Street
IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS 01938

(O) 978-356-4343
(F) 978-356-6625

Chief Paul A. Nikas

Director of Public Safety

To: Chairman Edward Rauscher, Board of Selectmen

From: Chief Paul A. Nikas, Director of Public Safety
Re: Liquor Procurement Operation Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission
Date: September 7, 2016

Chairman Rauscher and Members of the Board,

On the evening of August 11th, 2016, the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) sent two
investigative teams into Ipswich to conduct sixteen (16) State compliance regulation checks on retail and
common victualler licensees. The purpose of the ABCC compliance checks was to conduct follow up inspections
after the Ipswich Police Department successfully concluded a previous Town compliance investigation with
several failures.
Throughout the operation, the ABCC used underage cooperating witnesses and attempted to procure alcoholic
beverages without the underage witnesses producing legal identification. The liquor establishments were under
constant surveillance by the ABCC and with the assistance of the Ipswich Police Department.
Of the sixteen compliance checks, the following fourteen (14) licensed establishments properly followed state
regulations and protocols, preventing the underage witness from procuring alcoholic beverages.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

AP Marcorelle
Cumberland Farms #6681
Ipswich Bottle Shop
Ipswich Beverage
Coastal Greengrocer
Richdale Superette

30 Central Street
66 Turnpike Road
188 High Street
146E High Street
51 Market Street
44 Market Street

Retail Package Store

Retail package Store
Retail package Store
Retail Package Store
Retail Package Store
Retail package Store

7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Choate Bridge Pub

Majestic Dragon
May Flower Restaurant
Ipswich House of Pizza
El Fuego
Spice Thai Kitchen
Zabaglione Ristorante
Salt Kitchen and Rum Bar

3 South Main Street

81 Turnpike Road
11 Depot Square
18 Central Street
141 High Street
15 Depot Square
10-14 Central Street
1 Market Street

Common Victualler
Common Victualler
Common Victualler
Common Victualler
Common Victualler
Common Victualler
Common Victualler
Common Victualler

However, the correct procedures were not followed at the remaining (2) licensed establishments as required
under the Liquor Control Act and the ABCC regulations requiring proof of age from any person who appears to
be younger than thirty (30) years of age.
1. Ithaki Restaurant
2. Ipswich Sports Bar & Grille

25 Hammatt Street
24-26 Hammatt Street

Common Victualler
Common Victualler

Therefore, I respectfully request that the Board of Selectmen review and advise these (2) licensed liquor
establishments, who did not follow ABCC regulations, with a letter of reprimand without a license suspension.
This recommendation will allow members of the Board to place these licensed establishments on notice that any
further violations of the ABCC and Town of Ipswich license requirements will result in a suspension hearing.
Sincerely,

Chief Paul A. Nikas

Director of Public Safety