Town Committee Focusing on Location-Based Liquor Licenses

FOXBOROUGH, MA - More liquor licenses could be coming to town as a way to prepare for potential businesses and restaurants.

Lorraine Brue of the town’s Economic Development Committee told the selectmen recently that the group is studying the prospect of the town petitioning the state for more licenses restricted to nodes created by the committee.

Selectman David Feldman, who also sits on the committee, said the move would be a defensive one while being proactive.

Giving an example, Brue said one node that includes the former Bradlees Plaza could receive three licenses - one all liquor license for a store that currently has only a beer a wine license and two for the potential redevelopment of the former Invensys building on Route 140.

“It’s one less headache for the developer,” Brue said.

Keegan added that the state legislature prefers licenses to be site specific to encourage development.

The move is the opposite of one made for Forbes Crossing, which saw the board push for the licenses after the development process began.

Brue said that it is too early to say how many licenses will be recommended, but Feldman said a formal presentation will be given in the future.

Residents will have a chance to vote on the nodes at town meeting, with all three nodes going on the warrant at separate articles.