After sidelining Gov. Deval Patrick’s proposal to make alcohol licensing a purely local responsibility, the House and Senate have approved a few local licensing requests.
The House passed a pair of bills based on legislation proposed by Acton Sen. James Eldridge and Holliston Rep. Carolyn Dykema. One bill (H 4311) specifies a license for Panzano Market in Southborough and the other (H 4312) authorizes a license for Sperry’s Country Market Beer and Wine. Both businesses are located on Turnpike Road.
The Senate gave the green light to a bill allowing the town of Easton to grant one more license, which is limited to North Easton Village under a proposal based on legislation filed by Rep. Claire Cronin. The Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee is still weighing a Rep. Kate Hogan bill to grant five alcohol licenses to people operating businesses at Highland Commons in Hudson (H 4313) and a Rep. Jay Barrows bill (H 4361) specifying licenses for the Mansfield Crossing Pouring License Area and the Mansfield Marketplace/The Pavilion Pouring License Area.
The governor in April proposed as part of his economic development bill a plan to place authority for granting liquor licenses in the hands of municipalities, which the governor said would “allow local communities to make responsible decisions regarding their economic development and growth.” Patrick is reviewing a redrafted version of the so-called jobs bill that does not contain that proposal.
