City officials called a mandatory emergency meeting for restaurants in Boston's North End Wednesday afternoon after reported complaints about outdoor dining violations.
In the two weeks since outdoor dining began, issues with loud music, smoking and pets on the patio, not enough social distancing, as well as some restaurants extending into spaces not permitted for use have been reported to the Licensing Board and Inspectional Services Department.
At the meeting, Chairwoman Kathleen Joyce laid down the law.
"If, upon inspection, you are not occupying the right space and are not following any of our rules, including spacing tables six feet apart, your guests will be asked to leave immediately," she said. "Your approval will be immediately revoked. We are not waiting for people to pay their bills. They'll be asked to leave right away."
All North End restaurants were required to attend the meeting. Most businesses have been complying with regulations.
"We're following the rules as we think right now," said Frank DePasquale, who owns multiple restaurants in the area. "But there might be new rules, and we'll follow them just the same way we followed the first phase of this."
"We're doing the right thing, so I know we haven't had any infractions against us," said Sara Picariello-McGee, owner of Modern Pastry. "Our book is all put together and we've been following it. I hope that other business owners are following the guidelines, because we actually need this."
"Couches on the sidewalk, couches on the street," Jen Royle, executive chef and owner at Table on Hanover Street, said the day before the meeting. "This isn't Miami. What are you, building a nightclub on Hanover Street?"
Joyce made clear that Wednesday's meeting was a warning, adding that the Boston Licensing Board is ready to help restaurant owners comply with the rules so that outdoor dining can continue.
