A local liquor licensing authority exerts control over the hours of operation of local establishments. We take it for granted.
P'town board says no to later bar hours
By Mary Ann Bragg
July 20, 2010
PROVINCETOWN — Bar owners who wanted to stay open
until 1:45 a.m. under a decision by the town licensing
board were stopped in their tracks Thursday by
the zoning board of appeals.
The zoning board, in a 4-1 vote, turned
down the request by the Crown and Anchor
LLC for the 45-minute extension. The
Crown and Anchor's application was the first
attempt by a Provincetown business to implement
the licensing board's June 8 ruling that bars
could stay open past 1 a.m.
The Crown and Anchor holds a special permit,
as required by town zoning bylaws, for service
of food or alcoholic beverages to the public or
for public entertainment. The Crown's request to
change its closing time required the approval of
the zoning board.
By law, the board had to consider whether the
social, economic or other benefits of the proposal
outweighed any adverse effects such as hazard,
congestion or environmental degradation. In
considering the request, zoning board members
focused on the question of congestion and late-night
disturbances in the town's neighborhoods, with bar
patrons returning home later, said town permit
coordinator Maxine Notaro yesterday.
The town has about 60 businesses that have
alcohol-pouring licenses, and its economy
depends heavily on summertime tourism.
Once the zoning board turned down the Crown and
Anchor's application Thursday, five other bar owners
at the meeting withdrew their requests, with the caveat
that they could reapply when they choose, Notaro said.
Crown and Anchor general manager Richard Murray also
requested yesterday that the board's decision be annulled
and that he be allowed to withdraw his application without
prejudice as well, said Assistant Town Manager David Gardner.
Generally on Cape Cod, bars close at 1 a.m., said Wendy
Northcross of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. The Provincetown
Licensing Board voted to allow a 45-minute extension of alcohol
pouring licenses, given that state law allows it and
because it would help businesses, said licensing board chairman
Todd Wagar.
Businesses would still need to pass regulatory hurdles
before actually staying open later, such as modifying special
permits with the zoning board and returning to the licensing
board for approval of new hours.
Murray, an original champion of the extended hours, did not
return a call yesterday to say what his next step might be.
When Beacon Hill approved their Slap Dash "Casino" legislation, mostly crafted by the Gambling Vultures, included was FREE ALCOHOL and 24/7/365 service.
Some of the consequences are included here.
There was a recent article about a driver who was stopped on his 10th OUI.
If we can't appropriately patrol our streets now and prevent the carnage, why would we support 24/7/365 alcohol service that we don't even allow in private establishments?
Twin River negotiated excluding local control in bankruptcy court, a common practice when the Gambling Vultures want what they want.
Is Beacon Hill so blinded by lobbyists, phony promises and Fools' Gold, they can't determine what's sensible?
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