The state legislature has approved Harvard’s request to issue up to three liquor licenses, reported Selectman Tim Clark, the Board of Selectmen (BOS) watchdog for state legislation, at the BOS meeting this week. The House and Senate both voted on Nov. 2 to approve the bill, known formally as H1127, and the document is now on its way to Governor Duval Patrick for his signature.
Once signed, the new law will authorize the selectmen to issue up to three licenses to sell beer and wine in Harvard. The licenses are “off-premises” permits, which means that purchased beverages cannot be consumed in the stores in which they are purchased, although the law does allow on-premises tastings.
At least two local store owners have said they will apply for licenses once Gov. Patrick signs the law, according to Clark: Adam Horowitz of the Harvard General Store and Robert Hirsch, owner of the Ayer Road shopping center where Sorrento’s restaurant is located and The Grapevine liquor store on Route 111 in Boxborough.
Clark says it can take up to three months for a liquor license to be approved. An applicant must first request a public hearing and give two weeks’ notice to adjacent property owners. Once the selectmen have heard arguments from the public and have approved an application, it goes to the state Alcohol and Beverages Control Commission (ABCC), which reviews the applicants’ suitability and arranges for the collection of a state license fee and liquor tax. The annual fee for an off-premises license is $200. Once the ABCC approves an application, the selectmen sign the application and issue the license.
