Selectmen Approve Ballot Question That Could Reduce Number of Restaurant Seats Required for Liquor License

The Board of Selectmen passed a motion which will place a question on the upcoming election’s ballot that, if approved, could reduce the number of seats required for a restaurant to receive a liquor license.

If the town approves, the Board of Selectmen would become the licensing authority and as such, they would change the current bylaw, to allow a restaurant with between 50 and 99 seats to apply for a license, according to Hans Larsen, executive director of general government. As of now, a restaurant must have at least 100 seats to apply for a liquor license.

Larsen said Wellesley is allocated 29 “all-alcohol” licenses and six “beer and wine” licenses. Wellesley now has 18 active liquor licenses, which are each “all alcohol.”

Town officials began last year, while trying to figure out ways to enhance the business profile of the town.

The Board of Selectmen to petition the state to draft legislation that would give the board the authority to pass Monday’s motion. Now, they await the town-wide vote March 13.

“You need the approval of the electorate to do this,” Larsen said. “Basically, once you have this legislation, as we got last week, you have to run it by the voters to make sure they’re OK with it.”  

If the town votes to approve, the Board of Selectmen can take action on any other aspects of Wellesley alcohol laws, Larsen said.

Ming Tsai, owner of , and other local large restaurant owners at a meeting last year.