Massachusetts State Legislature approved petition for special legislation to issue liquor license—Legislators prove accommodating in instances where the quota is already met in that municipality.
On May 15, 2012, the Massachusetts State Legislature approved the issuance of a non-transferable wine and malt beverage license (location specific) to Natick’s Bacon Street Farm store.
The license applicant, Rick Ciccarelli, initiated the process in October 2011, when he approached the Natick Board of Selectman to put a proposal before the Town Meeting that they approve the petition to the Legislature to allow the additional license.
The Legislature’s approval received mixed responses. State Senator Karen Spilka, was quoted stating: “Increasing the number of available liquor licenses will provide additional opportunities for economic development in the Town of Natick and ensure continued growth for this thriving community.” Local liquor store owners, however, expressed concern with business owners exploitation of the quota loophole: “It’s a run around state law,” Peter Trulo said in reference to the special legislation for approving licenses beyond the population-measured quota. “It’s unfair for one person to get special legislation. [This] only benefits the one proponent involved.”
Applying for site specific licenses directly from the State Legislature is becoming an increasingly common method for businesses to acquire a license that may not be otherwise available in the municipality due to the quota restrictions in the law.