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Bristol council directs solicitor to draft policy to enforce liquor‑license renewal requirements
Summary
Council voted Feb. 18 to direct the solicitor to draft a policy enforcing state certificate‑of‑good‑standing requirements for liquor‑license renewals. The proposed policy would suspend alcohol sales Dec. 1 for licensees missing required documents, allow food service only, and permit limited council consideration for good cause.
The Town of Bristol Council on Feb. 18 directed the solicitor’s office to draft a policy to enforce state renewal requirements for alcoholic beverage licenses, after a solicitor’s presentation on the state rules and local practice.
Solicitor Andy outlined the issue: state renewal materials must be completed annually and a Division of Taxation “certificate of good standing” is required. Andy said the state rules allow no alcohol sales if the certificate is not on file by Nov. 30 and that towns have a role enforcing those requirements. To reduce last‑minute problems, the solicitor recommended publishing two lists at the December meeting — one of licensees with complete documentation and a second of those missing items — and having the police suspend alcohol service for those missing documentation as of Dec. 1. Businesses would be allowed to continue food service but not alcohol until compliance.
Andy said the council could give businesses limited opportunities to present “good cause” reasons (examples discussed included death in the family, fire or serious illness) and that, where good cause is shown, limited extensions to the January meeting could be appropriate so a business would not have to reapply from scratch for the next licensing cycle. The solicitor also recommended directing staff to notify licensees well in advance and to keep clear file notes on outreach.
Councilmembers supported the approach and moved to instruct the solicitor to prepare a draft policy/resolution for formal adoption. The clerk said renewal notices are already mailed beginning in August and the town is implementing an online portal to improve reminders; staff indicated proactive phone and email outreach to licensees who have missing documents.
The motion to direct the solicitor to draft the policy carried by voice vote. If adopted, the policy would formalize the town’s enforcement steps for licensees who fail to obtain state certificates by the renewal deadline; precise thresholds and the definition of “good cause” would be set in the draft policy and in the council’s eventual vote.
