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Council to consider allowing wine-and-malt licenses to convert to all-alcohol; item set for Nov. 6
Summary
Councilors heard a presentation on a state law (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 138 §12D) that would allow local wine-and-malt (beer and wine) licenses to convert to on-premises all-alcohol licenses. The council scheduled a local vote on accepting the statute for its Nov. 6 meeting; the local license commission has reviewed and indicated support.
The Northampton City Council heard a presentation on Oct. 16 about a recently enacted state statute (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 138 §12D) that permits local licensing boards to allow on-premises wine-and-malt licenses to convert to non-transferable on-premises all-alcohol beverage licenses. City staff and the mayor told the council that local adoption is required before conversions may proceed in Northampton.
Mayor Sarah summarized the statute: "It permits local licensing boards to allow on premises wine and malt or wine and beer, beverage license holders to trade in that license for a non transferable on premises all alcohol beverage license." She explained that conversion applicants would still need local license commission approval and state-level approval from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
Councilors discussed details and business representatives— concerns about license availability. Councilor Perry, who works in hospitality, said the lack of all-alcohol licenses has been "prohibitive to businesses" and welcomed the conversion option as a way to help restaurants plan for viability. City staff reported that Northampton currently has 15 year-round wine-and-malt licenses; conversions would not automatically increase the total if holders convert their existing license to an all-alcohol category, though the local license commission will decide administrative details such as any conversion fee.
Council action and next step: The item will be placed on the council's Nov. 6 agenda for a formal Council vote to accept the statute locally. Council President Alex Jarrett reported that the local license commission has seen the statute and "they are good with it," according to staff. The council did not take a final vote on Oct. 16.
Ending: If the council accepts the statute on Nov. 6, license-holders that meet local and state approval criteria will be able to apply to change category from wine-and-malt to on-premises all-alcohol licenses; the license commission will set conversion fees and administrative procedures.
