SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding section 17 of chapter 138 of the General Laws, the licensing authority of the city of Easthampton may grant 8 additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises pursuant to section 12 of said chapter 138; provided, however, that the licensing authority shall give preference to establishments located in the mill industrial district and the downtown business district, as those districts are defined on the city’s zoning map which is on file in the offices of the city clerk and the planning department.  The licensing authority may consider applications for licenses for establishments located in other districts after preference has been given to establishments in the mill industrial district and the downtown business district.  The licenses shall be subject to all of said chapter 138 except said section 17.

Once issued, the licensing authority shall not approve the transfer of that license to any other location 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 license is in good standing with those departments and that all applicable taxes, fees and contributions have been paid.

If a license granted pursuant to this section is cancelled, revoked or no longer in use at the location of original issuance, the license shall be returned physically, with all of the legal rights, privileges and restrictions pertaining thereto, to the licensing authority and the licensing authority may then grant the license to a new applicant at the same location under the same conditions as specified in this act.

SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect upon its passage