Opinion ID: 1963911
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Did the Board err in denying the motions by the Vestry to correct the record, to intervene, and to reopen?

Text: The sufficiency of the evidence before the Board notwithstanding, the Vestry contends that it was error for the Board to refuse additional evidence. Specifically, petitioner attacks the actions of the Board in refusing, through denial of its motions, to reconsider and to supplement with additional testimony the evidence underlying its determination that Section 2.2 does not prohibit the issuance of this license. The motion to correct the record was addressed to the question of the enrolled membership of the church. Petitioner contends that the Board, having taken testimony on this question, should have granted the motion to correct the record upon the discovery by the witness, Reverend Tartt, that he had been in error. We disagree. As respondent points out, Section 20.16 of the General Alcoholic Beverage Control Regulations, 3 DCRR 20.16, reads in pertinent part as follows: A motion to correct a transcript shall be filed with the Board within ten (10) days of receipt of the transcript. . . .. . . . The instant motion was filed more than one month after the issuance of the transcript, and almost two months after the commission of the alleged error by Reverend Tartt. No explanation for this delay appears in the record, nor is there any indication that one was ever offered. In fact, it would seem under these circumstances, that with any diligence whatsoever, petitioner could have discovered this alleged error within the time provided by Section 20.16. The court thus finds no basis for disturbing the Board's decision. The Board also had ample justification for declining to reopen the record to hear evidence allegedly newly discovered which would cast doubt on the validity of the survey. This matter had been thoroughly litigated, with both parties represented by counsel, over a period of several months. All concerned, including a nonparty, petitioner Vestry, had sufficient opportunity to present evidence. Particularly in light of the Board's indulgence with regard to the many requests for continuances and other postponements instigated by the opponents of this application, the court cannot hold that the Board abused its discretion in preventing what had the appearance of yet another delaying tactic. Litigation must end sometime. Easton Utilities Commission v. Atomic Energy Commission, 137 U.S.App.D.C. 359, 424 F.2d 847 (1970). It is also significant that, in view of our decision that an identification of the street main entrance is unnecessary in this case, the correctness of the Board's determination on this issue is without import; any error would be harmless. Similarly, the court finds that the Board did not err in denying the motion of the Vestry to intervene. Although not a party to the proceedings, this petitioner had participated throughout by the attendance and testimony of Reverend Tartt and other parishioners. It had notice of all hearings, and therefore could have made a timely motion to intervene if this appeared necessary to protect its rights. Instead, petitioner delayed until after all hearings had been completed, the transcript issued, and proposed findings submitted by the intervenors, and then on the very eve of the Board's decision made the motions here under consideration. Having thus chosen not to enter an appearance earlier, although fully aware of the existence and nature of the proceedings and their possible consequences, petitioner cannot now expect the court to permit it to relitigate this matter. See Red River Broadcasting Co. v. Federal Communications Commission, 69 App.D.C. 1, 98 F.2d 282 (1938), and Easton Utilities Commission v. Atomic Energy Commission, supra . For all the foregoing reasons, the court finds no error in the Board's determination that Section 2.2 does not apply. There is ample support in the record for its decision that the issuance of the instant license is not thus prohibited, and further that no additional information was required under these circumstances.