Politics & Government

Selectmen Discuss Getting More Liquor Licenses

For Mansfield to obtain more liquor licenses, it would have to be voted on at Town Meeting before going to the state legislature for approval.

The Mansfield Board of Selectmen discussed adding more liquor licenses for the town, to accommodate at expanded businesses opportunity that will come with redeveloping downtown and the area around the train station, at Wednesday night's meeting.

Chairman Jess Aptowitz said that several interested business have approach the town about obtaining licenses, but all of Mansfield's licenses are in use. 

"Variety is important; people don't necessarily always want to go to the same restaurant," said Town Manager Bill Ross. The first step would be to have the Town Clerk draw up a petition for more licenses, which would then have to be approved by residents at Town Meeting before it goes to the state legislature for approval. 

Ross said that the Selectmen could ask for different types licenses, such as ones for restaurants to just sell beer and wine, or for liquor stores. There is even some interest in opening a microbrewer in the old chocolate factory, he said.

Ross suggested that selectmen request a higher number of licenses like nine, rather than a lower number like three, to avoid going back to the legislature again soon. "You can still decide whether to issues them," he said. 

Selectman Olivier Kozlowski suggesting being strategic about which locations they pick, based on whether there is a need for a certain type of establishment in different areas of town. 

Police Chief Ronald Sellon agreed, saying that specifically targeting what kind of licenses go where, would minimize the negative impact on the community. 

"Am I in favor of another big box liquor store? Absolutely not," he said. "But another restaurant could bring in commerce and tax revenue. It we have too many more licenses, there's a possibility of it have a negative impact on [the police department.] It depends on what you're looking at and what location."

The selectmen did not decide how many licenses to ask for but moved to have the Town Clerk draw up a petition for consideration at the next Town Meeting. 

Do you think there should be more liquor licenses in Mansfield? What you you like to see, another liquor store? More restaurants? Let us know in the comments below! 


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