By Ethan Forman
DANVERS — Selectmen suspended Brutole Restaurant's liquor license for three days, with the punishment held in abeyance for six months, after police alleged the restaurant lacked a manager and failed to properly display both its liquor license and a sign warning against the sale of alcohol to minors.
Selectmen also questioned when the restaurant would become current with its utility bills, because doing so had been a condition of its liquor license renewal last year.
If the restaurant has no violations in six months, it won't have to shut the taps for three days. But if there is a violation, selectmen will invoke the suspension.
Representatives of the "Mediterranean fusion" restaurant at 65 Newbury St. (Route 1), including co-owner and executive chef Ilias Kakouris, friend Lou Markakis of Lynn, and new manager Marco Salerno, defended the establishment Tuesday night. Salerno was appointed just before the liquor license hearing took place.
"They can tighten up a little bit on their paperwork," Markakis said.
Police Chief Neil Ouellette said Detective Steve Baldassare went to Brutole after it failed to respond to letters from the town clerk about concerns the manager of record no longer worked there.
The town clerk's office got a call from former manager Robert Premont, who said he was no longer working there, Ouellette said. Assistant Town Clerk Kathy Woytovich sent Brutole the paperwork to appoint a new manager, but "this letter went unchecked," Ouellette said. Town Clerk Joseph Collins then sent Brutole a follow-up, with an Oct. 28 deadline to respond. Brutole did not.
Eventually, Baldassare conducted a liquor compliance check and found the three violations, Ouellette said.
Kakouris said Premont had worked for his family for 22 years and was considered like family, but an argument led to the manager leaving. Kakouris said he considered Premont's several-week departure to be a cooling-off period, and he was kept on the payroll. That was why Kakouris said he ignored the town's letters.
"I think he jumped the gun by calling and saying he was not the manager," Kakouris said.
Subsequently, Premont was involved in a motorcycle accident, which led to his inability to work, Kakouris said.
Kakouris said the restaurant's liquor license was framed and near the register, but Ouellette said Baldassare reported someone had to take it out from behind the bar for him to see.
A sign about underage drinking went missing when the bar was rearranged, Kakouris said. The restaurant has since contacted the state to get a new one, he added.
Selectmen Chairman Gardner Trask said an establishment operating without a manager opens the town up to liability.
Selectman Keith Lucy agreed with Kakouris and was the only board member to vote against a suspension.
Selectmen said the restaurant's outstanding balances on its water, sewer and electric bills have improved, and Kakouris said he is making regular payments.
"We'll take care of it before the end of the year," Kakouris said.
Staff writer Ethan Forman can be reached at 978-338-2673 or by e-mail at eforman@salemnews.com.
