SECTION 1. (a) Notwithstanding section 17 of chapter 138 of the General Laws, the licensing authority of the town of Acton may grant 16 additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages and 6 additional licenses for the sale of wines and malt beverages to be drunk on the premises, pursuant to section 12 of chapter 138, provided, however, that such licenses are issued to establishments that hold a common victuallers license pursuant to section 2 of chapter 140 of the General Laws.  The licenses shall be subject to all of said chapter 138 except said section 17.

(b) Once issued, the licensing authority shall not approve the transfer of the license issued under this act to any other person, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, organization, or any other entity or location for a period of 3 years from the date of the original issuance,  but it may grant the license to a new applicant at the same location if the applicant files with the licensing authority a letter from the department of revenue and a letter from the department of unemployment assistance indicating that the licensee is in good standing with those departments and that all applicable taxes, fees, and contributions have been paid.

(c) If any license granted under this section is cancelled, revoked, or no longer in use, it shall be returned physically, with all of the legal rights, privileges and restrictions pertaining thereto, to the licensing authority which may then grant the license to a new applicant under the same conditions as specified in this act provided that the applicant files with the licensing authority a letter from the department of revenue and a letter from the department of unemployment assistance indicating that the licensee is in good standing with those departments and that all applicable taxes, fees, and contributions have been paid.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.