The town of Reading, at Town Meeting earlier this week, voted 93 to 44 to petition the State Legislature) to grant the town the ability to grant a sixth license to sell all alcoholic beverages. Town Manager Peter Hechenbleiker told Wicked Local Reading: “We have had indications that a developer will bring a grocery store to the Downtown Smart Growth District if a liquor license were available. That is the rationale behind this request. Selectman Rich Hubert added, “This will help us develop the downtown area that we have been working hard to improve.”
A half dozen members spoke against another liquor store in the community, arguing that it wasn’t needed and wasn’t wanted. Concern was expressed that once the license was granted to a company, it would be difficult to control what kind of store was built.
