Extended New Year's Eve Liquor Hours, Auto Licenses Renewed

Annual license renewals for all of Braintree's car dealerships sailed through the Board of License Commissioners on Tuesday, along with a vote to extend to 2 a.m. liquor serving hours on New Year's Eve.

The alcohol extension – moving serving hours past the typical 1 a.m. hour – will happen on a Monday night this year. As in previous years, board members approved the change unanimously.

Police Chief Russell Jenkins said he will staff extra personnel for New Year's Eve, and that some restaurants and bars could add police details. But he does not expect a significant surge of people drinking throughout Braintree.

New Year's is one of the busier nights of the year, though not the busiest, and its level of activity is largely based on what night of the week the holiday lands, Jenkins said.

Meanwhile, as part of the town's annual license renewal process, the board voted unanimously to approve 31 one-year auto licenses for Braintree's various dealers.

The board approved 10 Class I licenses, 20 Class II licenses and one Class III license.