Liquor License Proposal Brought to Council, 20 New Licenses Sought: Report

WALTHAM, MA – A new draft of the home rule petition granting liquor licenses to Waltham was presented to the city council Monday night.

Councilor Paul Brasco put forth the proposal, which would ask the state for 20 new licenses - 10 beer and wine and 10 all-alcohol, the Waltham News Tribune reported.

The new proposal is the latest in the debate over bringing new liquor licenses to Waltham, which has drawn ire from many of the city's restauranteurs who had to purchase licenses from previous owners.

An original sample sent to the city's Licenses and Franchises Committee proposed 15 beer and wine and 15 all-alcohol, which was countered by restaurant owners with six allotted two at a time over a three-year period.

At a meeting last month, Downtown Waltham Partnership President Lisa Lorgeree said that 30 might be too many, but six would not be enough.

According to Wayne Brasco, chairman of the Board of License Commissioners, there are 69 all-alcohol licenses and 22 beer and wine licenses in Waltham, all of which are currently held.

The city granted its remaining liquor license, left over from a scrapped golf course, to incoming steakhouse Ruth's Chris last month. In doing so, it passed over local Cuban restaurant Gustazo and a nearby hotel; Gustazo, in particular, has been unsuccessful in its attempts to obtain a liquor license.

The new licenses would be held by the city and awarded with the stipulation that they be returned in the event a restaurant goes out of business or changes owners, according to the News Tribune.

The proposal will be heard by the committee and full council in September for debate, potential amendments and a vote, the News Tribune reported. If it receives two-thirds approval from the council and the mayor, it will be voted on by the state legislature before heading to the governor's office.

>>>Read the full report from the Waltham News Tribune