Authorizing the town of Southborough to grant an additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises
Summary
This bill authorizes the town of Southborough to issue one additional all-alcoholic-beverages license for off-premises sales, specifically for Costco Atlantic Liquors, Inc. at 21 Coslin Drive. The measure is a local option bill and is written as an exception to Section 17 of Chapter 138 of the General Laws, allowing the town’s licensing authority to grant the license despite the usual statutory limits.
The bill also sets conditions on the license’s use and transfer. The license may not be moved to another location, but it may be reissued to a new applicant at the same site if the applicant provides a letter from the Department of Revenue confirming the license is in good standing and that all applicable taxes have been paid. If the license is cancelled, revoked, or otherwise no longer used, it must be returned to the local licensing authority, which may then issue it again at the same location under the same conditions.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would create a narrow, town-specific exception to Massachusetts alcohol licensing law by allowing Southborough to exceed the ordinary license limitations in Chapter 138. It affects the town’s licensing authority, the named license holder, and any future applicant seeking to operate the same off-premises alcohol retail license at that location. The bill does not change statewide licensing rules generally, but it does override Section 17 for this one license and reinforces tax-compliance and local control requirements.
Sentiment
The available context suggests generally favorable or routine support, with no recorded opposition, committee controversy, or vote history in the materials provided. The bill notes that local approval was received, which typically indicates the municipality supports the measure. The absence of transcripts or recorded votes suggests the proposal was treated as a standard local alcohol-license authorization rather than a contentious statewide policy issue.
Contention
There is no documented contention in the provided materials. The only potentially sensitive point is the special treatment of a named private business, Costco Atlantic Liquors, Inc., through a special act that grants a license beyond the usual statutory cap. Any concern would likely center on the use of a special law to benefit a single location and the need to ensure compliance with tax and licensing requirements, but no specific objections are recorded here.