Taunton commissioners approve Downtown and TPAC alcohol permits, set interim $150 fee policy

The Taunton Board of License Commissioners on Oct. 8 approved special alcohol permits for a Downtown Taunton Foundation event and for multiple dates at the Taunton Performing Arts Center, and moved to revisit how the city charges for special permits.

Eileen Kelleher, representing the Downtown Taunton Foundation, told commissioners the foundation’s July “sip and shop” event served mostly mocktails but offered limited wine and that organizers want similar events this fall. Kelleher said the foundation does not currently have TIP/TIPS‑certified servers: “We don't have anyone on our staff currently who's TIP certified.” The board declined to make certification a condition of approval but “strongly encourage[d]” the applicant to obtain certified servers as an extra layer of protection.

Commissioners amended the Downtown Foundation permit to specify that alcohol may be brought on and off the permitted premises within 48 hours and then approved the permit. Talisa Proctor, who also applied as the event operator for shows at the Taunton Performing Arts Center, received approvals for a multi‑day performance run in mid‑October and a Nov. 1 gala; commissioners noted the venue had exhausted previously issued special permits and asked staff to ensure proper tracking going forward.

Discussion about fees consumed a substantial portion of the meeting. Commissioners confirmed the city’s fee schedule currently lists a $150 special‑permit fee but that the fee had not been collected for several recent downtown events. Members referenced sample rates from other Massachusetts municipalities — Great Barrington and Swampscott cited at $50 per day; Canton $50 per day; Natick $105 for a one‑day alcohol license; Cambridge cited at $100 for up to 100 people and $120 for events over 100 — while debating whether Taunton should charge per day or per event.

The board voted to place a formal fee‑setting discussion on a future agenda and adopted an interim approach: non‑city‑sponsored applicants will be charged the existing $150 special‑permit fee until the commission adopts a new schedule. Commissioners also agreed, for the current Downtown Taunton Foundation applications on the agenda, to waive outstanding fees while the new policy is developed.

Actions recorded in the meeting include motions and approvals to: • Approve the Downtown Taunton Foundation special‑permit application with an amendment requiring alcohol to be transported on/off within 48 hours; outcome: approved. • Approve special‑permit applications for the Taunton Performing Arts Center (mid‑October multi‑day performances and Nov. 1 gala); outcome: approved. • Place special‑permit fee schedule on the next meeting agenda; outcome: approved. • Adopt a transition policy requiring non‑city‑sponsored applicants to pay the existing $150 fee until the board adopts a new schedule; outcome: approved.

Why it matters: The decisions affect downtown event organizers, small businesses that rely on event traffic, and vendors who may be required to pay a per‑event or per‑day fee. The board’s interim policy preserves current fee collection while commissioners consider a more granular schedule. The commission directed staff to benchmark neighboring municipalities and return with recommended language for formal adoption.

Provenance evidence: topic introduction at 55.460003: "Downtown Taunton Foundation. Application for special permit for October 23." topic finish at 1113.035: "So I would, make a motion that we put this on the agenda for next meeting and and discuss it, get information from you..."