Wayne select board approves Jellystone liquor license renewal after public hearing on service area

The Town of Wayne Select Board voted to approve a recommendation on the renewal of an on‑premise liquor license for the Jellystone campground after a public hearing in which residents raised concerns about the license map and whether alcohol would be served in areas that include playgrounds and community facilities.

At the hearing, several people said the floor plan and the map submitted with the state application showed two large outside areas circled for service that appeared to include the children’s playground, the recreation hall and the laundry building. A public commenter, Betsy (Resident), cited state guidance while questioning the map: "The service and consumption of liquor must be limited to areas that are clearly defined and approved in the application process… Outside areas must be controlled by barriers and by stopping prohibiting consumption beyond the barriers," she said, quoting the state standard.

The campground’s representative told the board the operation has no bar or lounge and that, after last year, staff do not plan to provide live music or regular on‑site service: "We didn't do any last year, and we're not doing any this year," the representative said, describing the campground’s plans as sales of beer and wine at the store for campers to consume on their own. The board and commenters noted the application the municipality received appears to describe on‑premise service, which prompted the hearing and questions about whether the application was complete.

Board members reviewed the statutory grounds the municipality may use to recommend denial, including convictions of the applicant, repeated public‑order problems, zoning noncompliance, health or safety violations, or failure to obtain required local permits for entertainment. Several board members also observed that the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations and state statute (Title 28‑A) exercise primary jurisdiction over licensing, and that unless one of the statutory denial grounds is present the municipality may have little authority to refuse a license. Board members noted the application was accepted by the state and that a failure by the municipality to act within the statutory time window can result in automatic approval.

After closing the public hearing, Select Board member Anas moved to approve the license recommendation; a board colleague seconded the motion and the board voted to approve the recommendation to the state. The board did not record a roll‑call vote in the meeting transcript and did not attach conditions to the recommendation in the record.

The Select Board also directed staff to note in the town’s recommendation the members’ concerns about the ambiguous site map and the applicant’s statements that they did not plan to serve alcohol on the grounds. The recommendation and the board’s record will be forwarded to the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations for final licensing action.

The license renewal will be processed by the state; the town’s action was a local recommendation following the required public hearing process.