Although a final inspection has been completed and a certificate of occupancy issued for the business, the Orion Township trustees said they have yet to receive the $1,000 fee from Star Enterprises, Inc. for the transfer of two liquor licenses.
Frank Haddad, President of Star Enterprises and new owner of the business at 3890 Joslyn Road, was before the board on Aug. 4 to explain that he would be happy to pay the fee if that is what is required for the transfer.
Haddad had requested the transfer of ownership of 2003 Specially Designated Distributor (SDD) and Specially Designated Merchant (SDM) licenses from Sunday Sales, former owner of the business. The SDD licenses permits the sale of alcoholic liquor, other than beer and wine under 21 percent alcohol by volume, for consumption off the premises only. The SDM license permits the sale of beer and wine for consumption off the premises only.
Clerk Jill Bastian told the board that they had received notice of the request for the transfer from the Liquor Control Commission (LCC) and had 15 days to send their comments, with the deadline on Aug. 5.
“(Star is) up and running, so this isn’t a situation where we’ll have to ask for a final inspection,” she said. “He can walk in here and say ‘I’m not paying you anything.'”
The township requires a $1,000 non-refundable fee for any new or transfer of liquor licenses, with no regard for whether it is a Class C Vs. SDM or SDD license. The fee covers the cost of the township’s review of the application and premises.
“Here we are in the midst of budget meetings, and we’re talking about making sure all of our permit fees are set accordingly,” said supervisor Jerry Dywasuk. “I don’t think it’s appropriate at this time to be talking about cutting a fee.”
Trustee Richard Tomczak said he saw no reason the township should get involved with the fee in this case.
“To bring it up now, in my opinion, is not appropriate,” he said.
Haddad told the board the business was closed for a while but he has reopened it as the new owner.
“I wanted to buy the business, and applied to the LCC for the transfer,” he explained.
“Are you willing to pay that fee?” asked Dywasuk.
“If I have to, I would like to,” Haddad said.
Tomczak wanted to know why the request was put on the Aug. 4 meeting agenda if a fee had not been paid.
“We had 15 days to respond to send comments or it could just get approved,” Bastian said.
The board voted to forward comments from the meeting to the LCC, including a notice that the petitioner had not yet paid the township the $1,000 fee.