Select Board denies request to serve beer and wine at Abenaki Water Ski tournament

The Wolfeboro Select Board voted 2-2 on June 17 to deny an application allowing beer and wine to be served at an Abenaki Water Ski Club tournament at Foss Field on July 10–12. The motion to approve the application, made by Select Board member John Thurston and seconded by Select Board member Dave Senecal, failed for lack of a majority (Yes: Thurston, Senecal; No: Vice Chair Brian Deshaies, Linda Murray).

The vote followed a public hearing in which applicant Scott Ouelette of Magic Foods Catering described plans to serve alcohol inside a fenced, tented area and to check IDs. "Alcohol will only be served in a fenced area," Ouelette said. Jay Fruchi, speaking for the Abenaki Water Ski Club, stressed the event’s scale and community draw, saying it attracts “the best water skiers from around the world.”

Several Select Board members raised policy and safety concerns. Murray said she opposed making exceptions to the town’s usual restriction against serving alcohol where children are present. Deshaies noted that boats serving alcohol on the lake fall under state waters, implying different rules for watercraft versus town property.

Thurston framed approval as a potential benefit to the community and sought a waiver; he moved to approve the permit. Deshaies and Murray opposed the motion and suggested the town should reconsider its alcohol policy for future events.

Because the motion failed, the board did not grant the Alcoholic Beverages Permit for the Abenaki Water Ski Club for the July tournament. The board discussed revisiting the town’s alcohol-location policy for future events.