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Saratoga County law and finance committee to hold public hearing on proposed earlier bar closing times
Summary
Law and finance members discussed a multi-year effort and a proposal to shift winter bar closing to 2 a.m. and summer closing to 3 a.m.; committee chair said a public hearing will be scheduled in March before any action is sent to the State Liquor Authority.
The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors' law and finance committee reported on Feb. 20 that it will schedule a public hearing in March to consider changes to bar closing times countywide.
Supervisor Kevin Veach, reporting to the full board, said the county has received multiple requests from the City of Saratoga Springs and that the issue has been under discussion for 10 to 12 years. Veach said the committee discussed public-safety impacts and effects on businesses and proposed closing bars at 2 a.m. during winter months and 3 a.m. during summer months as a compromise from current later hours.
Veach said County Attorney Conway advised the committee that a public hearing is required before any change could be forwarded to the State Liquor Authority. No formal motion to change local hours was taken on Feb. 20; the committee signaled it will place the hearing on the March law and finance agenda.
The discussion focused on balancing public-safety concerns with economic effects on Saratoga Springs establishments and other county businesses. Supervisors asked for additional study and time for community input before any ordinance or formal request is transmitted to state regulators.
The item will return to law and finance for a public hearing in March; subsequent direction to send a formal request to the State Liquor Authority would follow only after that hearing.
