Peabody Mayor Seeks Support of Council on Liquor Licenses, Affordable Homes: Report

PEABODY, MA – Mayor Ted Bettencourt will ask the City Council Thursday to support two major changes at the state level, according to a Salem News report.

The Salem News reported Tuesday that Bettencourt is motioning for a home rule petition to increase the city's number of liquor licenses by as many as 20, as well as an amendment to the state's Chapter 40B law that requires 10 percent of a municipality's housing stock be allotted for affordable housing.

The amendment, which Bettencourt will ask the council to file, would seek inclusion of Family Accessory Living Areas and group homes into the definition of affordable housing, according to the Salem News.

Bettencourt's support of a home rule petition for more liquor licenses is not uncommon in Massachusetts; state law restricts communities to one liquor license per 1,000 residents, but often times municipalities will petition the state government for more.

According to the Salem News, there are currently 11 beer and wine licenses and 70 all-alcohol licenses in Peabody; 10 of those were obtained through similar legislation two years ago.

>>>Read the full report from the Salem News

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