License Commissioner Defends Closing Waltham Bar

Days after the License Commission voted to temporarily close a local bar, License Commissioner Wayne Brasco is defending the group’s decision.

“He is an habitual offender. He just won’t play by the rules,” Brasco said of Bullets owner Robert Baurle, in a recent interview. 

Also, the bar did not file an appeal before the Oct. 28 deadline, according to License Commission assistant Darlene Wansiewicz As a result, the planned six-day closure will proceed.

PAST VIOLATIONS

·      In 2012, the commission closed the bar for one week, according to a Waltham Newswatch report.

·      Brasco described one incident in which the bar placed newspapers over the window on a Sunday to mask the fact the bar was open in violation of its six-day license. That license allows Bullets to be open every day except Sundays.

·      Brasco also described an incident in which police found a gaming machine in the bar and another moment when the bartender claimed to not know who owed the establishment. 

Brasco told Patch the commission tries to be fair with bars but their ultimate responsibility was the safety of the community.

"We certainly don’t like to hurt community businesses. but we also consider the responsibility to the community," Brasco said. 

Baurle could not be reached for comment at the bar. The phone was disconnected.