Liquor License Suspension Handed to Waxy O'Connor's in Foxborough

Waxy O'Connor's owner Gordon Hyde echoed his desire "to improve and get better" at the May 17 liquor hearing with Foxborough's Board of Selectmen.

The board, in a vote of 4-1, approved the recommended motion of a 10-day liquor license suspension for Waxy's beginning on June 1. Selectman James DeVellis was the lone vote against the motion stating that Foxborough has a set process in place for a reason and questions Waxy's credibility.

"Everything they [Waxy's] have said is in contrary to what our public safety officials have said," DeVellis noted.

In addition to the 10-day liquor suspension, Waxy's also agreed to stop serving alcohol at midnight for the next two months - a measure that selectmen believe is necessary in order to keep the public safe. Waxy's will check back in with the board on their progress at a "status hearing" in two months.

Waxy's pled guilty to the overcrowding violation brought against them as well as one over serving violation. The state will slap on a third over serving violation bringing their total number of offenses to three.

"If they get hit with a fourth violation then they [Waxy's] will be out of business," stressed Foxborough Town Manager Kevin Paicos.

Legal fines and all expenses accrued to the town from the liquor hearings, totaling approximately $10,000, will be paid by Waxy's.

In order to further ensure public safety, Waxy's agreed to required police detail for Friday and Saturday nights.

The board remained passionate throughout the four-hour hearing in regards to their beliefs on the importance of public safety in Foxborough. 

"I am a elected town representative - I represent the parents, their children," said Sullivan. "I’m not looking a parent in the eye [with unfortunate news], I've done it before and I am not doing it again."

The liquor hearing first confronted the overcrowding offense brought against Waxy's occurring on March 17, St. Patrick's Day. The board, in a vote of 5-0, found Waxy's guilty of an overcrowding violation, with occupancy determined to be more than 377 - the maximum occupancy amount.

"Overcrowding is a serious offensive," said selectman Lynda Walsh. "Think of those poor people in Rhode Island."

Paicos went onto read a letter of statement from Waxy's attorney, Patricia Farnsworth, dated from last week, May 11. In the letter, Waxy's detailed the various improvements they have made in order to "shape up" and be a better business for the residents of Foxborough.

Police detail on the weekends, cutting off the serving of shots after midnight, changing the style of their wine glasses to incorporate "the correct 6 oz amount" and dropping potent drinks from their menu such as Long Island Ice Teas, are a few of the changes that Waxy's has already implemented in their Foxborough location.

"It's a fresh start - lets get it done and let's get it done right," said Sullivan.