HOME RULE LEGISLATION / PACKAGE STORE LICENSES

To see if the Town will vote to authorize and request the Select Board to file Home Rule Legislation which would permit the placing on the 2026 Annual Town Election ballot a question to authorize the Select Board to increase the current number of all-alcohol “package store” licenses (all-alcohol beverages for consumption off the premises) from the current number of 6; or take any action related thereto.

Inserted at the request of the Town Manager

COMMENT: The Board voted unanimously to recommend favorable action on this article to increase the number of all-alcohol package store licenses from six to eight. Town Manager Feeney inserted this article since the Town has issued all six of its current available licenses. The Town Manager explained that the lack of available all-alcohol package store licenses could have a chilling effect on economic development and commercial expansion, while having an ancillary effect of creating a secondary market for the transfer of licenses.

The Board also heard from Katie Luczai, the Town’s Economic Development Coordinator and Town Counsel. Town Counsel noted that the last time the Town increased these licenses, it did so by an increment of one license (from five to six), which was presented to the Town as a ballot question in 2019. The Board discussed the Article and the economic benefits that the license increase could provide to the Town. Ms. Luczai indicated to the Board that she has not identified any tangible adverse consequences that could flow from increasing the licenses.

That the Town does and hereby authorizes the Select Board to file Home Rule Legislation to provide substantively as follows:

“AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE SELECT BOARD OF THE TOWN OF ARLINGTON TO PLACE UPON A TOWN BALLOT A QUESTION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF LICENSES FOR ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES NOT TO BE DRUNK ON THE PREMISES.”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in the General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follow: 

Section 1. Notwithstanding sections 11, 15 and 17 of chapter 138 of the General Laws, the Select Board of the town of Arlington may cause to be placed upon the ballot at a town election held in the year 2026 the following question: 

“Shall the Select Board of the town be authorized to issue 2 additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises? 

 
Yes________ No________” 

Section 2. If a majority of voters voting at the 2026 town election at which the above question appears on the ballot vote ‘yes’ on the question, then the Select Board of the town of Arlington may issue 2 additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises, in addition to the 6 licenses that are currently authorized in the town of Arlington for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises. The licenses shall be subject to all of chapter 138 of the General Laws, except as provided in this act. 

Section 3. This act will take effect upon its passage.”