License commission raises one‑day fees, sets $100 amendment/application fee effective Jan. 1

The Garden License Commission voted to raise one‑day license fees and to impose a $100 fee for amendment and application packets, voting the changes to take effect Jan. 1.

Commission context: The commission approved raising the one‑day all‑alcohol license fee from $50 to $75 and the one‑day malt-and-wine (Section 14) fee from $25 to $50, and voted to charge $100 for amendment and application packets. A motion to change the one‑day fees passed after a second, and commission members voiced unanimous assent: “All in favor? Aye. Motion carries,” a commission member said.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the changes would bring Garden’s fees closer to surrounding municipalities and reflect the staff workload involved in processing amendments and new applications. Staff noted that the commission currently waives fees for some nonprofit fundraisers and said those waivers could continue on a case‑by‑case basis.

Details and implementation: The commission set Jan. 1 as the effective date for the new fees. The body also noted that applicants continue to pay the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) application fee (noted in the meeting as $200) in addition to any local fees. The motion to set amendment/application fees to $100 passed with a second and an affirmative voice vote.

Discussion versus formal action: Commissioners discussed alignment with neighboring towns’ fee schedules and the administrative effort involved in amendment packets; those discussions preceded the formal votes. The votes recorded in the meeting transcript were voice votes; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the minutes available.

Next steps: Staff said the new fee schedule and implementation timing will be communicated with license packets and in renewal correspondence in advance of the Jan. 1 effective date.