Watertown council postpones decision on reduced restaurant liquor fee after hours of debate

The Watertown City Council on Aug. 18 postponed a vote on a resolution to reset the city's on‑sale retail restaurant liquor fee after several hours of public comment and council debate. The measure drew competing proposals: Councilman Jerns proposed reducing the fee to $25,000; Councilman Mormon and others floated alternatives including $75,000 or a staggered payment plan. Public testimony from local restaurateurs warned that a low, unlimited permit could erode the market value of existing liquor licenses. The matter was deferred by a substitute motion to postpone consideration until a work session in September, with Councilman Jerns making the substitute motion and Councilman Peters seconding. The motion to postpone carried on a roll call vote. Why it matters: the city's current ordinance and state law set the framework for how on‑sale retail restaurant licenses are handled in Watertown. Changes…