The Select Board at its meeting Tuesday began discussions about revamping the process for issuing and renewing common victualler and related licenses for restaurants and businesses.

The call for a change arose after Crust & Co. opened on Sept. 17, two days prior to receiving its common victualer (CV) license.

On Sept. 9, the board voted 4-1 to issue the CV and entertainment licenses with the caveat that all inspection requirements be met in advance of the pizza shop’s opening. The lone opponent, member Matthew Kizner, told his colleagues that he believed all requirements should be fulfilled before granting the license. Since that time, he has chastised his colleagues for their decision.

Crust & Co. replaced the controversial Hillers Pizza restaurant. Disgraced former Hillers Pizza owner Petros “Peter” Sismanis is serving jail time after being convicted of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 years of age and two counts of witness intimidation. Crust & Co. took over its location at 77 West Main Street, keeping basically the same menu and several staff members.

Ryan Dion, Crust & Co.’s owner, agreed to buy the restaurant in late August. Hillers abruptly closed Sept. 1. At the last Select Board meeting on Oct. 7, Dion was fined $1,000 for opening the establishment early. The seasoned restaurateur called the application process confusing.

At that meeting, speakers during the public comment period alleged that financial obligations currently exist under the Hillers Pizza name and address. These included a loan from the Small Business Administration and tax liens. Area resident Elissa McGinty called for “transparency” around the business deal. She claimed Sismanis pledged “the assets and future revenues of Hillers Pizza” as collateral on a loan application dated Sept. 17.

Recommendations made to improve process

“The big thing I’m going to say is there’s been a lot of conversation about this,” said chair Joe Clark as discussion began. “This is a process-focused conversation.”

Added Clark: “We’re going to go through what is the best path forward for Hopkinton, from every time we do a renewal or a new license application.”

No references to any CV license holder were made during the dialogue among the members. The discussion revolved mainly around procedures for issuing CV and alcoholic beverage licenses, although entertainment, Class 1 and Class 2 licenses also fall under the Select Board’s purview.

Town Manager Elaine Lazarus explained that the Hopkinton Fire Department and the Building Department have a “parallel process” that they use annually that begins in October. This includes reaching out to businesses, having them complete a questionnaire and file various inspection reports, reviewing the submitted inspection reports and performing physical inspections. An electrical inspector performs separate inspections.

The process happens concurrently with the Select Board’s process, she added. Inspections can take between 15-90 minutes, and re-inspections can occur throughout the licensing process.

Member Amy Ritterbusch noted that the inspections occur in December, which is a “very busy time” because of holidays. She asked if there was a contingency policy if inspections are not completed by the end of the year. Lazarus said a contingency policy would be “something for the board to discuss.” It later emerged as a priority.

“I’m hearing that this is a wildly complex and interfacing project that I’d want to understand,” added Kizner. He suggested that “a central point of accountability” or “sherpa” guide applicants through the process. Kizner also asked that the entities involved “work in tandem.”

Vice chair Shahidul Mannan asked for a “detailed process diagram” as well as a digital platform to manage applications. Lazarus said that an electronic permitting system is “in the works” and that a consultant is “on board.”

Said Mannan: “That will eliminate a lot of the confusion, I’m hoping, and also speed up the process.”

Member Brian Herr agreed, noting that digitization “would put a level of discipline and certainty into the process.”

Members said some short-term focus areas would be to review other communities’ application processes, hear recommendations from business leaders and Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce members, and extend renewal periods during this cycle.

CORI/SORI process, HPD role reviewed

Mannan also asked if a national applicant background check could be performed in addition to the required Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) checks.

Lazarus added that all applicants and renewals will undergo CORI and SORI checks now. The one exception is the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) because it operates under a municipal street license.

She also explained that the CORI and SORI reports are kept in state databases. They can be accessed by Town Hall employees, as it operates under the licensing authority.

Kizner clarified that the town manager’s office reviews these reports, not the Hopkinton Police Department, which Lazarus confirmed. During the public comment period, speakers questioned HPD’s role in this process.

Clark asked about HPD’s role historically. Lazarus noted that it has “changed over the years.” Over the last few years, the HPD has “stepped back” from inspections of businesses that don’t serve alcohol or deal with vehicle sales.

“We as a board need to understand that and talk about that,” said Clark. He added that Level 1 sex offenders’ information is not publicly available.

Ritterbusch noted that the HPD also cannot share “rumors and accusations.”

Comparisons to area communities made

Assistant Town Manager Lance DelPriore presented an analysis he compiled of several area communities as well as Boston regarding their CV license processes. He noted that Foxborough, Ashland and Boston “require that the CV be issued before the food permit.” Hopkinton, by contrast, withholds the CV until the food permit is issued.

He added that he expected that the renewal process that evolves from the board’s discussions would become “a lot more robust.” DelPriore also noted that communities vary in the departments that they involve in the licensing process.

Clark called this discussion “a great starting point.”