Conference 7.286::maynard

    Norma, thanks for moving your question to a separate note.  It was 
    not my intent to duck the question, but I didn't want to create a 
    rathole in the Agenda note.
    
    As for liquor licenses, let me first list the State fee limits and
    compare them to various town's fees:
    
    TYPE * 	STATE
    		MAX.	MAYNARD  CONCORD  SUDBURY  ACTON  STOW   HUDSON
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    CVAA        5,000    2,000   4,000    2,500    5,000  2,200  1,400
    
    CVWM        2,000    1,500   1,500    1,000    2,000    800    750
    
    RAA         2,000    2,000   2,000    2,000    2,000  2,000  1,500      
    
    CAA         5,000      700   1,750    1,000    5,000  -----  -----
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
    *  CVAA = COMMON VICTUALLAR- this is a restuarant or a bar with a 
    		full liquor license
       CVWM = COMMON VICTUALLAR- this is a restuarant or a bar with a
    		wine and malt (beer and wine) license
       RAA  = RETAIL ALL ALCOHOL- this is a package store
       RWM  = RETAIL WINE AND MALT- this is typically a convenience 
    		store or grocery store (beer and wine sales).
       CAA  = CLUB ALL ALCOHOL- this is a Club license for members and
    		guests
    
    Until last year, Maynard's fees were at the State Maximum limit, but
    that limit was raised this year.  Maynard's 1992 licenses were issued
    on January 1 in accordance with the above and we will decide during
    the year if we will raise our fees.
    
    The number of licenses (with the exception of Club Licenses) is 
    regulated by the State, and is determined by population.  Due to
    a "grandfather" clause, Maynard is currently one over the maximum
    allowed number for "All Alcohol" licenses (Bars and restaurants).
    With the granting of the Corner Store Beer and Wine Retail license,
    however, we are still one UNDER the maximum allowed by State Law.
    
    When an application is received for a license, the formal review
    process includes a financial report from the applicant, a background
    check by the police, notices to abuttors, and a notice of application
    in the paper.  A public hearing is held by the Selectmen and a
    decision is made.
    
    The renewal of licenses is not automatic.  Each December, prior to
    granting a renewal, the Selectmen receive incident reports from the 
    Police Department for each licensed establishment, directly from the
    Police Logs.  I should note that 1991 was a VERY quiet year in this
    regard, and that all licenses were renewed without warning.  In my
    humble opinion, the decrease of liquor sales and the strict laws on
    drunk driving have had a positive impact on liquor problems.
    
    Getting back to your original question, since I have been a Selectman,
    which seems like years (but has only been four months), two beer and 
    wine (convenience store) licenses have been issued.  There has not
    been any opposition to either license.  In fact, the support for 
    granting these licenses has been quite strong.  Both licenses were
    granted unanimously.
    
    As for the Lottery, this is a State regulated program, and does not
    involve the Town of Maynard government from a permit perspective.
    
    Hope this helps.
    
    Frank

    Thanks for the info, Frank, but how MANY of each license is the town
    allowed to issue? It seems to me, there are FAR TOO MANY for such a
    small town.
    
    I'm I the only one who feels this way? 
    Norma

    Norma, I don't have the exact information in front of me, but I
    know that we are at the limit for package stores, one under the
    limit for beer and wine licenses, and one over the limit for 
    restaurant licenses.  
    
    As I mentioned previously, licenses are by population, not by the
    physical size of a Town, and Maynard, with about 10,300 people 
    falls into a category established by the State for the issuance of
    licenses.  
    
    Frank 

	Since it's town meeting and budget time, I was wondering what
	decision has been made about raising the liquor license fees
	to the state maximum.  A couple of the categories, as listed, 
	in reply to the base note, were quite low in relation to the
	maximum allowed. 

	Frank? 

    We have not made any decision on raising liquor license fees for
    next year, but we have set a September timeframe for a public hearing
    for this dicussion.
    
    The license fees are not subject to Town Meeting approval and the 
    Board of Selectmen is the Local Licensing Board for the State ABCC
    (Alcohol Beverage Control Commission).  The ABCC sets the maximum
    license fee limits and the local boards can set their own fees within
    the limits.  
    
    Frank