Beverly High Grad at Center of Possible Salem Bar Suspension

This post was written by Chris Helms.

An encounter between a former hockey and football player at Beverly High School, working as a Tavern in the Square bouncer, and a patron that left the customer with a fractured skull has led to disciplinary action against the downtown Salem nightspot.

Salem's Licensing Board decided Tuesday to take the bar's booze license for at least two days — and possibly for as many as five. However, the bar could wind up serving zero days suspension depending on the outcome of criminal charges against both the bouncer and the patron.

The story goes back to May 3. You might remember that as the night an epic Boston Celtics comeback fell short in Game Six of the NBA playoffs against the New York Knicks. The patron, Zachary Brown, had watched part of the game at home with some friends, then come to Tavern in the Square. Brown was part of a large group that continually blocked the aisles in the popular Washington Street bar. Over the course of the night, bar employees asked the group several times to move to a different area so waiters could get past.

The last time the group was asked to move, Brown allegedly took offense. According to witnesses' statements read in Tuesday's board hearing, plus testimony by other bar employees, Brown elbowed bouncer Nicholas Quartarone and tried to punch him.

What happened next is in dispute. Tavern in the Square staff say Quartarone enveloped Brown with his arms while defending himself and somehow the two fell to the floor. The bar's general manager, Rick Naples, offered that maybe Brown tripped.

Friends of Brown tell a different story. They described him being "body slammed" or driven to the ground, according to statements gathered by Salem Detective Charlene Sano.

Quartarone's own statement, which was read into evidence at Tuesday's hearing, was that he "put him on the ground."

All agree that Brown, of Peabody, suffered a cracked skull and partial hearing loss. He was treated at Salem Hospital and then at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Quartarone, on his lawyer's advice, did not attend Tuesday's hearing, according to Tavern in the Square's attorney, Joseph Correnti.

A Salem Police investigator argued that the bouncer, who was a hockey and football player at Beverly High, could have been more restrained.

"I think Quartarone had time to make a decision not to put Brown on the ground," Detective Sgt. James Page told the board.

Brown had apparently caused trouble at the bar before, during a February incident when a friend kicked a chair out from under him and the two had brief fisticuffs. A chair was broken and tables scattered. Page said knowing his history, the staff should have made him leave sooner.

The Tavern's attorney had a different take, saying the incident flared up quickly.

"I hope we're not going to be penalized for taking a moderate approach," Correnti said.

Five-Day Suspension Could Be Two. Or None.

The Licensing Board, led by Chairman Robert St. Pierre, imposed a five-day suspension of the bar's liquor license for allowing "illegalities" to take place on their premises. However, the board said only two of those days would have to be served. The other three days are held "in abeyance" as long as there's no more trouble at the establishment for the next year.

And the Tavern might not even have to go without its license for those two days.

That's because the legal battle over that May 3 night is only beginning. Prosecutors have charged Quartarone with assault and battery and aggravated assault and battery, charges to which he has pleaded not guilty according to the Salem News.

For his part, Quartarone has alleged Brown committed assault and battery by elbowing the bouncer and throwing a missed punch. Last week a magistrate ruled their was enough evidence for Quartarone's case against Brown to go forward. Those cases are making their way through Salem District Court.

If Quartarone is found not guilty and Brown is found guilty, even the two-day suspension of Tavern in the Square's license might be rescinded, the Licensing Board ruled.