Reading Liquor License Bill Passes Through House, Senate

READING, MA — A bill which clarifies the town's authority to issue alcohol licenses has been sent to Gov. Charlie Baker after passing through the house and senate. According to a joint statement from local lawmakers, the bill authorizes the town of Reading's licensing authority to grant licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be consumed on business premises, and grant package store licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Town Manager Robert W. LeLacheur said in a statement that a new state online liquor license application led town officials to discover technical inconsistencies between the town and state which date back almost 50 years. Baker has until Jan. 13 to sign the bill into law.

“Recently the state announced a new online liquor license application process which led us to uncover some technical inconsistencies between the town and the state dating back almost 50 years," LeLacheur said in a statement."This bill will protect both our existing and future businesses from any impact of such technical inconsistencies.”

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading), Representative James Dwyer (D-Woburn) and Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester) filed the bill after a unanimous Special Town Meeting vote on Nov. 21.

The legislators say this bill provides protections for existing license holders in Reading

"Language included in the bill states that all previously issued liquor licenses “shall remain in full force and effect” and shall be included in any determination of the number of licenses allowed to be granted by the town of Reading under state law, provided that the license holders continue to comply with state law and the terms and conditions of their license," the release read.

There are 20 liquor licenses issued to local restaurants and clubs including 18 all-alcoholic licenses and two wine and malt licenses. There are also six all-alcoholic licenses for local package stores.

“This is another example of the great working relationship the town and the Reading legislative delegation has had working on behalf of Reading residents,” said Dwyer in a statement. “Working together until the penultimate moments of the legislative session to make sure this home rule made it to the Governor’s desk.”

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