SECTION 1. (a) Notwithstanding section 17 of chapter 138 of the General Laws, the licensing authority of the city known as the town of West Springfield may grant 7 additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises pursuant to section 12 of said chapter 138 to establishments located within the 2 development zones, as defined in subsection (b), upon approval of and under conditions set by the licensing authority of the city known as the town of West Springfield. A license granted under this act shall be clearly marked on its face either “Economic Opportunity Zone” or “Route 20 Business Corridor” and shall be subject to all of said chapter 138 except said section 17.

(b) The licensing authority shall restrict the 7 licenses authorized in this act as follows:

(i)  5 licenses shall be issued to establishments located within the town’s “Economic Opportunity Zone” district contained in the “West Springfield Proposed Liquor License Area” as adopted on March 31, 2022, a copy of which is on file in the office of the West Springfield town clerk; and

(ii) 2 licenses shall be issued to establishments located within the town’s “Route 20 Business Corridor” district contained in the “West Springfield Proposed Liquor License Area” as adopted on March 31, 2022, a copy of which is on file in the office of the West Springfield town clerk.

(c) A  license granted pursuant to this section shall only be exercised in the dining room of a common victualler and in such other public rooms or areas as may be deemed reasonable and appropriate by the licensing authority as certified in writing.

(d) The licensing authority shall not approve the transfer of a license granted pursuant under this act to a location outside of the initial zoned areas as defined in clause (i) or (ii) of subsection (b), but it may grant a license to a new applicant within such initial zoned area 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.

(e) If a licensee terminates or fails to renew a license granted under this act or any such license granted under this act is cancelled, revoked or no longer in use, 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 under the same conditions specified in this act. 

(f) All licenses granted under this act shall be issued within 3 years after the effective date of this act; provided, however, that a license originally granted within that time period may be granted to a new applicant under subsections (d) or (e) thereafter.

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