Shaw Local

News   •   Sports   •   Obituaries   •   eNewspaper   •   Election   •   The Scene   •   175 Years
Local News

Woodstock officials to discuss Oliver's Bar and Grill, revisit vote on electronic sign

Oliver’s Bar and Grill wants to fill former Mia Passione site

The Woodstock City Council will consider lifting its liquor license moratorium for Oliver’s Bar and Grill and reconsider a new electronic events sign Tuesday.

Oliver’s Bar and Grill is seeking to fill the former Mia Passione restaurant site at 228 Main St., just off the Square. The City Council must lift its moratorium to allow for the owners to apply for a liquor license.

Owner Michael Lenzi also wants to operate video gambling machines in the space, according to city documents.

Officials also will continue discussing whether to replace the city’s existing community events sign on Route 47 with an electronic sign.

The existing sign is in front of Burger King, and it is used to advertise community events by groups such as the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Woodstock Recreation and Public Works departments, according to city documents. Public works staff manually change the sign weekly.

At the last meeting, resident Dean Lovewell raised concerns about the look of an electronic sign and said he didn’t think it fit with Woodstock’s historic aesthetic.

City Council members agreed to postpone the decision to give more time for thought and discussion.

Some council members also were concerned with the cost of the $94,000 project.

Chamber Executive Director Danielle Gulli said concerns about aesthetic were unwarranted.

“The signage plans we reviewed seem well thought out and create a consistent and seamless theme for signage and gateway entries,” she said in an email to city officials. “LED-lighted screens are very common in surrounding communities.”

The City Council is set to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 121 W. Calhoun St.