Chamber Looks at Liquor Laws

Considers Move to Reduce Seat Requirement for Full Liquor License

– Allison Goldsberry

The Medford Chamber of Commerce has launched a commission to look into updating the city’s liquor laws by lowering the number of seats required for a full liquor license.

Chamber Executive Director Cheryl White said four Chamber members will work alongside with members of the Medford Square Revitalization Committee for the next month to see if decreasing the number of required seats for a full liquor license, currently ninety-nine, will help attract more restaurants to the Square.

White said the group will look at neighboring communities such as Arlington and Melrose for ideas and guidance.

At the same time, the City Council is still working with the state to increase Medford’s beer and wine licenses from fifteen to twenty-five. Though the Council approved the increase last May, the state has the ultimate say, and told the Council an increase in beer and wine licenses needs to be tied to economic development.

City Council President Stephanie Muccini Burke said the Council is re-submitting a home rule petition for state approval that seeks to distribute the requested ten additional licenses among five Medford neighborhoods- West Medford, Medford Square, the Hillside, South Medford, and Wellington. The Council will discuss this further at their meeting Tuesday night.

According to White, all of Medford’s fifteen beer and wine licenses are currently in use, though there are still dozens of full liquor licenses available because it’s often difficult for restaurants to meet the ninety-nine seat requirement. Only nineteen seats are required for a beer and wine license.

In other business news, the Chamber has honored John Lonergan, Sr., of Lonergan Real Estate and Insurance, as its 2008 Citizen of the Year. Longergan, a lifetime resident and current Historical Society president, will be honored at an April 11 banquet at the Montvale Plaza.

The Chamber has also recognized the Department of Public Works and Building Department with its second annual Executive Director Award.