If you shake some of the packages under the collective town tree this year to find out what's inside, you may hear the clinking of bottles and the sloshing of liquid.
Following strong approval and passage of the election day initiative to allow package stores to open in Wilton, the Board of Selectmen moved Monday night for a Dec. 7 public hearing on the alcohol ordinance. The hearing will precede the board's regularly scheduled meeting and will allow residents to voice their support and their complaints about the impending wetting of Wilton's proverbial whistle.
First Selectman Bill Brennan was absent from a meeting for the first time in years, Monday, taking a much-needed sojourn from municipal rigors. Speaking in his place, Susan Bruschi said the town is being careful in how it approaches the issue of allowing liquor sales.
"We're new to this," she said. "So you don't want to stay open an hour after all the other surrounding towns and offend anyone when you're the new kid on the block."
Bruschi said the alcohol ordinance provides for sales to take place between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Technically, under state statute, alcohol can be sold until 9 p.m. but since all the surrounding towns ascribe to the earlier time, Wilton will follow suit.
The only thing yet to be codified into the ordinance are rules covering alcohol sales at country clubs on Sundays, which Bruschi said they had some difficulty finalizing. She expected this to ultimately result in clubs being permitted to sell between the hours of noon and 9 p.m.
To review the verbiage of the new alcohol ordinance, see below.
ARTICLE I
SALE OF ALCOHOL LIQUOR
- Definitions. For purposes of all sections of this ordinance, the term “alcoholic liquor” shall be defined as set out in Section 30-1(3) of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended.
8.2 Sale under Golf Country Club Permit. The sale of alcoholic liquor under a golf country club permit is hereby allowed in the Town of Wilton as provided under the provisions of Chapter 545 of the General Statutes to include Sundays between the hours of 12:00 noon and 9:00 p.m.
8.3 Sale under Restaurant Permits.
(a) The Town of Wilton shall allow the sale of alcoholic liquor in all establishments operating under restaurant permits only between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday; between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight on Friday and Saturday; between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. on New Year’s Eve; and between the hours of 12:00 noon and 11:00 p.m. on Sunday.
(b) For purposes of this ordinance, the term “sale of alcoholic liquor” shall be deemed to include the dispensing or consumption of alcoholic liquor or the presence of alcoholic liquor in glasses or other receptacles suitable to permit the consumption of alcoholic liquor.
(c) Any person violating the provisions of Section 8.3 of this ordinance shall be fined not more than $99 for each offense.
8.4 Sale of Liquor under Package Store Permits. The Town of Wilton shall allow the sale of alcoholic liquor under Package Store Permits between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
- Applicability of General Statutes. All other provisions in the General Statutes prohibiting the sale of alcoholic liquor on specific days or setting the hours of sale of alcoholic liquor shall still apply.
ARTICLE II
PROHIBITIVE CONSUMPTION IN CERTAIN PLACES
6. Purpose. The consumption of alcoholic beverages on or near school grounds has created a nuisance for those who would enjoy the various recreational and cultural activities at such locations. The intent of this ordinance is to provide a more wholesome environment for both children and adults, to set a positive example for our young people and to reduce or eliminate other undesirable effects of public alcohol consumption, such as littering, vandalism and unsafe operation of motor vehicles.
7. Prohibited Acts. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess with intent to consume any alcoholic beverage upon or within the premises of any property which is owned by or leased from others by the Town and used for public school purposes, including but not limited to parking lots, athletic grounds and facilities, ground and roads adjacent thereto.
8. Penalties. Any person violating the provisions of this Section 8.7 ordinance shall be fined not more than $99 for each offense.
ARTICLE III
UNDERAGE DRINKING
9. Definitions. As used in this ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
- HOST – To organize a gathering of two or more persons or to allow the premises under one’s control to be used with one’s knowledge for a gathering of two or more persons for personal, social, or business interaction.
- MINOR – A person under the age of 21, as defined in Section 30-1(12) of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended.
10. Possession Restricted. No person under the age of 21 shall be in possession of any container of alcoholic liquor, whether open, unopened or closed, within the Town of Wilton except when accompanied by or in the presence of his or her parent, guardian or spouse who has attained the age of 21 years. The restriction shall apply to both public and private property.
11. Hosting Events. No person shall host an event which allows the consumption or dispensing of alcoholic liquor to or by a minor or minors unless said minor or minors is or are accompanied by or in the presence of his or her or their parent, guardian or spouse who has attained the age of 21 years. The prohibition shall apply to any event or gathering within the Town of Wilton, whether conducted on public or private property.
12. Exceptions. The following shall be exceptions to the provisions of this ordinance
- A. A person who is an employee or permit holder under Connecticut General Statutes §30-90a and who possesses alcoholic liquor in the course of his or her employment or business;
- B. A minor who possesses alcoholic liquor on the order of a practicing physician;
- C. The possession or consumption of alcoholic liquor by a minor as a part of a religious service; and
- D. The possession of alcoholic liquor as otherwise permitted by law.
13. Penalties for offenses. Any person violating any provision of Section 8.10 or 8.11 shall be subject to a fine of $99.
14. Effective date. This ordinance becomes effective on TBD.
