Is Your Town Hall Dry? Washington County Replies to Patch Alcohol Survey

NARRAGANSETT, RI—So far, Rhode Island state lawmakers do not have any company when it comes to drinking in the halls of government. Patch has started surveying all Rhode Island's cities and towns to see if the local councilors quaff a toast or two to St. Patrick and St. Joseph, as General Assembly members do. Newport County and Washington County are largely against drinking on municipal property. Most Rhode Island municipal governments that responded to the survey said they follow comprehensive policies stating alcohol use is not allowed, with a couple of exceptions for renting out facilities. The City of Newport and the Town of North Kingstown and a few others have yet to respond.

Here are the results so far:

Hopkinton

Hopkinton goes strictly by the Town Ordinance, which says no liquor allowed. According to Town Manager William A. McGarry, "Chapter 13, Article II, Section 76 (16) of the Hopkinton Code of Ordinances, entitled, Terms and Conditions of Employment/Grounds for Disciplinary Action, strictly prohibits the 'introduction, possession, or use on town property or town equipment of alcohol beverages or proceeding to and/or from work under the influence of alcohol.'"

South Kingstown

The rule is short and sweet for South Kingstown, too, said Town Manager Stephen A. Alfred.

"Alcohol use is not allowed in any South Kingstown municipal facility," he said.

Richmond

Richmond doesn't have a policy about alcohol use in the Town Hall, but Karen D. Pinch, town administrator, said no one is drinking on town property.

"I’ve been here for two years, and we’ve never had an event with alcohol," she said.

Narragansett

Narragansett reported a similar experience. Patricia A. Roosa, executive assistant to Town Manager Jim Manni, said there's no policy and there's no liquor. But they do rent town facilities to groups; and in those cases, they operate like Jamestown and require insurance and other accommodations.

"While we have no formal policy prohibiting alcohol use at the Town Hall, we do not allow it under any circumstances," Roosa said. "When renting one of our event facilities (the Towers, North Beach Clubhouse, Kinney Bungalow and the Community Center):

· The serving of alcoholic beverages must conform to the State of Rhode Island laws and the Town of Narragansett regulations

· A General Liability Insurance Policy of no less than $1,000,000 must be obtained

· Alcohol must be served by a bartending service or catering company with a Class P license

· Alcohol service is limited to a maximum of 4 ½ consecutive hours of service and must be suspended 30 minutes prior to the contracted termination of the event

· Exchange of money is prohibited

· Non-profit and religious organizations hosting a fundraiser my petition the Town Council for a Class F or F1 license to allow to charge for alcohol

· Self-serve bars or wine left on tables for self- service is prohibited

· Shots, shot bars, home brewed/fermented alcoholic beverages, grain alcohol and liquor over 100 proof are prohibited

· Drinking games, beer bongs, flaming drinks and kegs are prohibited

· Right to refuse service to anyone if guest if we/they feel guest is intoxicated or does not have a valid ID

Exception to this is a pilot program through the calendar year of 2017 at the North Beach Clubhouse and Kinney Bungalow only for groups of 50 or less with the following:

· Renter must provide host liquor liability insurance naming the Town of Narragansett as “additionally insured” using TULIP insurance available or homeowners\corporation coverage.

· Beer and wine only, no shots, no hard liquor

· Limit of 50 persons or smaller

· Alcohol is permitted within the footprint of the building only.

· Time limit: 2 hours and must be finished 1½ hours before end of event. Typical 5 hour events.

· Not applicable to events where a Class P or Class F or F1 license is required.

Also , we have a drug and alcohol free workplace policy for our employees that includes:

· No employee shall unlawfully manufacture, dispense, possess, use, or distribute any controlled substance, alcohol, or medication.

· No employee shall consume alcoholic beverages during work hours, while at work during breaks or lunches, or immediately before work (if said consumption will impair said employees’ job performance).

· No employee shall be impaired by a controlled substance, alcohol, or medication during his/her working hours (regular or non-regular, including overtime)."

North Kingstown

North Kingstown has not responded yet.

The question about drinking on Town property came up after a controversy over drinking at the Rhode Island Statehouse. Freshman lawmaker Moira Walsh (D-Prov.) told WPRO radio she was astonished about the amount of drinking legislators did. The legislators defended their practices and insisted there's less booze at the Statehouse today than in the past. A week later, a camera caught them toasting St. Joseph's Day on the House floor.

Larry Berman, communications director for the House Speaker's office said Speaker Nicholas Mattiello paid for that toast and the state never foots the bill.

"The liquor is NEVER paid for by the state," he wrote in an e-mail message. "In fact, there is a state government regulation in place that prohibits any purchases or reimbursement for alcohol for any reason.
"The alcohol purchased for last week’s toast was paid for by Speaker Mattiello’s campaign account. Each Representative has a very tiny amount in a cup placed on their desks for ceremonial toasts for cultural events. Some times the Representatives will bring the alcohol in that they have personally purchased. Such events include Day of Portugal, Israel Independence Day, Dominican Republic Independence Day, and of course, St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s Day, which was celebrated last Thursday."

Patch wondered about practices at the cities and towns, and will continue until we put all 39 on the record.

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Photo Caption: Rhode Island State Rep. Moira Walsh, second from left, drinks from a water bottle while others raise glasses of wine in honor of St. Joseph's Day, in the House Chambers at the Rhode Island Statehouse, Thursday, March 16, 2017, in Providence. The toast was a part of Irish and Italian cultural celebrations held in the legislative chambers. Walsh last week said that there's an "insane amount of drinking" in the building. Legislative leaders have disputed that. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)