HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4265        FILED ON: 6/2/2014

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4166

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Claire D. Cronin

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act increasing the number of licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages in the Town of Easton.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4265        FILED ON: 6/2/2014

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4166

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Fourteen

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An Act increasing the number of licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages in the Town of Easton.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.

(a) Whereas, the Town of Easton has determined that the promotion of economic development in the North Easton Village Tax Increment Financing District as approved by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development on April 12, 2012 is of critical importance to the revitalization of said district and the Town.  The development of a balanced mix of commercial and residential uses is vital to this district.  The addition of an establishment to purchase, beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages will be beneficial to the said district. 

(b) Accordingly, per the terms hereof, the licensing authority of the Town of Easton, notwithstanding the maximum number of licenses granted pursuant to section 17 of Chapter 138 of the General Laws, may grant 1 additional license above said maximum amount for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises, under section 15 of said Chapter 138.

(c) Said license shall only be granted to an establishment located in the downtown area of the Town of Easton known as the North Easton Village, as defined by the aforementioned Tax Increment Financing Plan known as the North Easton Village Tax Increment Financing District, as approved on April 12, 2012, as amended from time to time.  A license issued pursuant to this act shall be subject to Chapter 138, excepting only section 17.   

(d) The licensing authority of the Town of Easton shall not approve the transfer of a license granted under this section to any other person, partnership, corporation, LLC, organization, or any other entity: (i) for a period of three years from the date of original issuance or 3 years from the date of enactment of this legislation, whichever is later; and (ii) to a location outside of the North Easton Village.  A license issued pursuant to the authority of this act shall be clearly marked North Easton Village License Only and nontransferable on the face of the license.  

(e) If a license granted under this section is revoked, surrendered, or should any transfer of the license occur in violation of this act, it shall be returned physically, with all of the legal rights and privileges pertaining thereto, to the licensing authority of the Town of Easton.  The licensing authority may then grant the license to a new applicant only at a location within the North Easton Village under the same conditions as specified in this act; provided further that no license shall be re-issued for use in the same location within 6 months from the date that the prior license was revoked or terminated, unless the applicant files a letter in writing from the Department of Revenue with the licensing authority for the Town of Easton indicating that the license at issue is in good standing with the Department of Revenue and that all applicable taxes, fees, and contributions have been paid. 

(f) This act shall take effect upon its passage.