Council Supports Keno at Restaurant, then Reconsiders

– Allison Goldsberry

After voting 5-1 to support Panda Palace’s bid for a Keno license, the City Council tabled the matter for reconsideration at its meeting next week.

The Council back-tracked on its decision after City Councilor Robert Penta came to the meeting late and asked for a motion to reconsider the vote so he could vote against supporting the license.

Councilor Penta said the restaurant had unsuccessfully applied for a Keno license before and he did not support a Keno license for them because the restaurant, located at 442 Salem Street, is in a commercial zone that abuts a residential neighborhood.

Meanwhile, City Councilor Robert Maiocco, in support of the license, said there are plenty of establishments that have Keno licenses throughout the city that are near residential areas.

Councilor Maiocco stopped the Council from taking another vote at tonight’s meeting because the restaurant owner had already left the meeting thinking she had the support of the Council. The Council voted in favor of Maiocco’s resolution to table the vote until next week’s meeting so the restaurant owner could be notified and be present at the meeting.

There are several steps a business must take to obtain a Keno license. The license must be approved by the state lottery commission, but cities and towns have the right to object to the license and ask for a hearing.

Additionally, in Medford, the Council passed an amendment to the city’s zoning ordinances so that those businesses that have received Keno licenses from the state must also get a special permit from the City Council. That amendment was passed several years ago, and according to Councilor Penta, gives Medford some control over where Keno can be played in the city.

City Council Vice-President Breanna Lungo noted that the Council has in the past voted in favor of Keno at the former Dragon Villa and Happy Haddock restaurants. Both establishments were in commercial zones that are near residential neighborhoods.

There are currently several locations throughout the city that carry Keno licenses. In addition to Panda Palace, V.F.W. Post #1012, located at 114 Mystic Avenue, is seeking a license.

The Council approved the V.F.W.’s bid for a license at a December 2007 meeting and voted to send a letter of support to the state lottery commission.