Selectmen Take No Action in Longhorn Steakhouse Liquor License Hearing

The Mansfield selectmen took no action against Longhorn Steakhouse Wednesday night during a liquor license violation hearing that was prompted by restaurant’s failure to notify the board of a change in management in a timely manner.

Representatives from the establishment were on hand Wednesday night, promising town officials that the oversight would not happen again. Joseph Devlin, an attorney for the chain restaurant, said an administrative error in their Florida office caused the lack of a notification.

The selectmen’s office was not made aware of the change in management until late August when the new manager requested a change of manager form from the town. Establishments in Mansfield with liquor licenses are required to notify the town of a change in management within three days of the manager’s departure.

All five selectmen had nothing but good things to say about Longhorn while emphasizing that the town needs to know when there is a change due to the seriousness of operating with a liquor license.

“The current board takes the alcohol very seriously and going forward we take it very seriously. If it happens to another chain I’m going to call them in,” Selectman Jess Aptowitz said.

Karl Clemmey, who owns the plaza the establishment is located in, called Longhorn Steakhousean asset to Mansfield.

No minors were served nor was anyone overserved during the transition to a new manager.