SECTION 1. (a) Notwithstanding section 17 of chapter 138 of the General Laws, the licensing authority of the town of Clinton may grant 6 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 Downtown Clinton Target Area, as defined in subsection (b), upon approval of and under conditions set by the licensing authority for the town of Clinton. The licenses granted pursuant to this act shall be clearly marked on their face as “Downtown Clinton Target Area” and shall be subject to all of said chapter 138, except said section 17.

(b) The licensing authority of the town of Clinton shall restrict the licenses granted pursuant to this act to establishments located within the Downtown Clinton Target Area, as shown on a map titled “Downtown Clinton Target Area” as adopted by the Clinton Board of Selectmen on January 7, 2015, a copy of which is on file with the town clerk of the town of Clinton.

(c) A license granted pursuant to this section shall only be exercised in the dining room of a common victualler and in other such 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 to this section to a location outside of the zone area as described in subsection (b), but it may grant a license to a new applicant within the said zone 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 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 is cancelled, revoked, or no longer in use, it shall be returned physically, with all 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 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 granted within that time period may be granted to a new applicant under subsections (d) and (e) thereafter.

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