Wareham Selectman Corrects ‘Defiant’ Onset Beach Owner

Fun 107 has now heard from Wareham Town Hall in response to the 60 day liquor license suspension handed down to the Onset Beach Patio and Grill.  The suspension was for owner Frank Evangelista's decision to have a live DJ while serving alcohol until 1 o'clock in the morning, a violation of his liquor license that he admits.

Last week, we reported that the the Onset Beach Patio and Grill owner called the 60 day suspension "excessive" during an interview with Fun 107.  Evangelista also said that he would likely close the restaurant for the off season if he didn't win his filed appeal with the Alcholic Beverages Control Committee.

READ MORE:  Wareham Slaps "Excessive" Punishment On Onset Beach Business

However, Wareham Selectman Ronald Besse spoke out in defense of both the board's decision and the length of the Onset Beach suspension.  Besse says the history with the restaurant's ownership definitely comes into play.  "Being defiant is why the suspension was levied, said Besse.  "There have been issues in the past, and all of those things are taken into consideration when you have future issues."

Besse Says Onset Ownership Was Well Aware of Liquor License Times

Evangelista told Fun 107 last week that "we were not aware that we were not allowed to do that."  However, Ronald Besse says not only did Mr. Evangelista personally sign the liquor license, he was the person who picked the 10am-10pm times listed on it.  Besse says when Evangelista decided to serve alcohol until 1 o'clock in the morning "it was the same as if he had been serving alcohol with no license at all."

VIEW:  ALL SUPPORTING FACEBOOK POSTS AND DOCUMENTS HERE

Why Was a 60 Day Suspension Chosen?

According to Besse, the selectboard does have the choice as to when the suspension would be served, and that the time of year came into play.  "A two or three week suspension in the middle of the summer would have hurt the business much more," said Besse.  "Thirty days in July is way worse than 60 days in the off season.  We could have held the suspension over until the busy season, but we chose not to do that.  We're not trying to hurt the business when a lot of money could be made.  I think we were very fair with the timing of the suspension."

Evangelista Contacted Repeatedly About Disciplinary Hearing

In his interview with Fun 107, Evangelista said that he was never informed about last week's disciplinary hearing, however, Selectman Besse said that was simply not factual.  "There was a notice of hearing letter dated and mailed on August 19, 2024.  The letter was followed up by an email sent on September 3 requesting confirmation of his attendence for the hearing.  The email was followed up with a call to Mr. Evangelista's personal cell phone and a message was left reminding him of the hearing.  There was also a phone call placed to the business at noontime on the day of the hearing.  None of these things got a response."

Besse says it is important that the public knows the facts surrounding the suspension.  "If we don't enforce his liquor license it isn't fair to the other businesses in town that are playing by the rules."

'Very Hurtful' Online Posts

Evangelista's appeal now lies with the state and the ABCC.  In a Facebook post over the weekend, the Onset Beach Patio and Grill owner wrote that the comments he is seeing online are "very hurtful."

"We made another mistake, we were not notified about a meeting to defend ourselves and our actions, and now face a 60 day liquor license suspension that we paid thousands of dollars to have the right to sell alcohol AND over 1000 terrible and some disgusting comments. I have a tough decision to make and my team does not deserve to read how terrible the food is."

A more positive post Monday on their Facebook page reads, "We will be giving free food Tuesday 9/10/24, to any person or family in need 7-8pm."