Selectmen said the owner is in technical violation of his innkeeper's license, but Selectman William Rooney said the town would be better off without the rooms for rent.
Mike Rodrigues, owner of Europa at 782 Center St., Ludlow.LUDLOW — The Board of Selectmen Tuesday continued until Aug. 21 a request by Europa Cafe that it change its liquor license from an innkeeper’s license to an all-restaurant liquor license.
Selectmen complained that owner Michael Rodrigues was not meeting his requirement to continue to operate an inn at his restaurant site.
Rodrigues said he stopped operating the inn after opening the restaurant because of concern that the renters might be conducting illegal activities.
Selectman Aaron Saunders said Rodrigues should not have closed down the rooms, but should have called police if he suspected illegal activity.
“You are not upholding the terms of the license,” Saunders said.
Selectman William Rooney said that while technically Rodrigues is in violation of the innkeeper’s liquor license, the town would be better off without the rooms for rent.
Selectman Carmina Fernandes said she agreed with Rooney. She said Rodrigues’ restaurant is fantastic in its new location. The Europa Cafe is a nice place to go for families, she said.
Selectman Manuel Silva said he would favor changing the innkeeper designation to an all restaurant designation.
The Tuesday night hearing was continued by the selectmen to Aug. 21.
In the meantime, Rodrigues has two weeks to reopen some rooms for rent until the change is approved by the selectmen at a future meeting. Selectmen said the room rents could be set at whatever Rodrigues feels is sufficient so he does not attract clientele looking for inexpensive rooms to conduct illegal activities such as selling drugs.
“I don’t care what you charge for the rooms,” Selectmen Chairman Jason Barroso said.