Bed and breakfast owners also requested to increase capacity of dinner guests

By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(Feb. 11, 2021) The Berlin Board of Zoning Appeals tabled a proposal to hold special events at a bed and breakfast until more information could be provided during a virtual meeting on Feb. 3.

Giovanni Pino and Karen Tomasello, who own The Inn Berlin at 15 Harrison Avenue, sought the approval of a special exception for a Conditional Use to hold outdoor events for up to 100 guests, temporary tents and mobile restrooms for special occasions such as weddings, retirement parties and graduation celebrations.

In addition, the Tomasellos, the former owners of Fresco’s and Sello’s restaurants, requested to modify a previously authorized Conditional Use allowing up to 30 dinner guests inside be increased to 75 guests at the bed and breakfast facility formerly known as the Waystead Inn to better meet the county’s liquor licensing requirements.

“The previous owners of the bed and breakfast, the Waystead Inn, had been granted a Conditional Use allowing up to 30 dinner guests inside that were not guests of the bed and breakfast,” said Planning Director Dave Engelhart. “So, that Conditional Use continues, and the Tomasellos would like to … increase the number of dinner guests allowable.”

The Worcester County Commissioners on behalf of the Worcester County Library agreed that the inn could use up to 40 parking spaces on the library property at 13 Harrison Avenue for guest parking.

The inn must notify the library staff in writing at least three weeks in advance before the date and provide the date and time of the proposed use and the number of spaces needed. The inn may only use the premises outside of the library’s hours of operation, subject to availability. The inn must clear the parking lot of all trash and vehicles after any use and the inn must provide the county and library with the name and phone number of a representative who can be reached at any time.

Furthermore, the county or library may deny the use for any reason.

The application also included signed approval from a neighbor at 304 N. Main St.

The 10-room Inn Berlin is leased to the Tomasellos’ son and daughter-in-law, who will run it daily.

Karen explained that potential clients could choose whether the temporary tent is in front of the inn or the in the backyard.

“Or it’s also a Plan A/Plan B in case the back of the property does get a little bit soggy after a big rain,” she said. “So, it would be a Plan B for an event if it didn’t work out in the back. We could have the tent in the front.”

Although the property will primarily be a bed and breakfast, they want to have the option to host outdoor events occasionally.

“It’s not going to be our focus. The focus would be the running of the actual inn itself, but we just feel it’s a nice option, especially in light of covid, people are wanting to do more outdoor events. They’re wanting to do smaller events,” Karen said. “So, our ideal event might not be a hundred. It might be 50. We really don’t want to be overwhelmed at all. We don’t want to overwhelm the property at all.”

As for the increased indoor dining capacity, the Tomasellos said they were seeking a beer, wine and liquor license, which requires 75 seats.

“It’s not something we want to do on a nightly basis, but it would assure us the liquor option,” Karen said.

Joseph Moore, who was re-elected chairman of the board that night, said approval of the expanded indoor dining capacity is subject to the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s approval.

Pino added that having liquor makes the dining experience better.

“I’m not looking to have a full house every night, but we would like to have a liquor license,” he said.

Vice-Chair Woody Bunting, who was also re-elected to his position on the board on Feb. 3, asked how the property would accommodate parking for 100 guests and if there would be a site plan that illustrates the proposed parking layout.

“We are rearranging the parking in the back. There was a dumpster right in the middle,” Pino said.

By rearranging, Pino said 25 parking spots can fit in the back. He also acknowledged that a lot of people travel by Uber.

Engelhart said he’ll have to look into whether a site plan with the parking illustrated is required for the Planning Commission.

“You could make it a condition of approval,” he added.

Board member John Apple expressed concern about commercial events being held in a primarily residential area because of noise.

“I know that living in Austin Circle we can hear the brewery,” Apple said. “We hear events up on Main Street. This is a change in the environment.”

Engelhart responded that the town code does have a noise ordinance controlled by the police department.

Karen added that someone would be on-site for every event to ensure there are no violations.

“We’ve held multiple liquor licenses in the county for the past 40 years, and we’ve yet to have a violation,” she said. “So, I feel as though we’ve shown we’re very responsible citizens and do not want to disrupt the neighbors. That’s not our intent at all.”

Moore added that the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners normally cuts off any outdoor entertainment or music by 10 p.m. He then asked Apple if the 10 p.m. curfew would satisfy neighboring Berlin residents.

“I would almost have to say that’s still somewhat hard to swallow due to the zoning of this location,” Apple replied. “You’ve got some quaint little neighborhoods here – Brittany Lane, Austin Circle, the historic homes down Main Street. Again, from experience sound travels far throughout Berlin.”

Bunting said he thought Apple’s concerns were legitimate. He added that he’d feel more comfortable about the proposal if the board knew how many events the inn plans to host and had more details about the parking situation.

Moore said he has known the Tomasellos for years and has witnessed the positive impact they’ve had locally.

Before the board agreed to table the proposal, Berlin resident Malia Ricks expressed concern about the proposal. She asked if the plan was to create a restaurant at the property. Karen said it was not and clarified that the inn already has approval to offer meals to 30 guests.

Ricks also addressed issues of parking and noise.

“We already have overflow issues on weekends when town events are happening,” she said. “Also, as a neighbor, I do not want to hear music and partying every weekend for 100 guests.”

Karen replied that they plan to host more intimate events at the inn.

“We don’t plan to have a partying type atmosphere,” she said. “We’ll be interviewing these clients. We’re not taking everyone.”

Bunting agreed with Moore’s sentiments about the Tomasellos.

“They certainly are very well respected businesspeople,” he said. “I have no problem with what they are proposing to do. There’s a few details I would like to see if it’s possible if we could get more information on.”

Apple added that the Conditional Use was tied to the property, not to its owners.

“In the case of the Tomasellos, the previous Conditional use carried over because there was no lapse in the use,” Engelhart said. “It was still open as a bed and breakfast, and they were still allowed if they wanted to to serve up to 30 dinner guests or meal guests outside of the room guests.”

Bunting made a motion to table the proposal until more information was provided with a second from Apple.