Council sets July 23 hearing on draft ordinance to limit minors in bars

The Bloomfield City Council on Monday moved to set a public hearing for July 23, 2026, to consider a proposed ordinance that would restrict the presence of minors in bars during late hours. Committee member (speaker 4), who presented the idea, said it was prompted by complaints that "there have been instances of minors in bars, and he does not believe that that's something that we should be allowing" and asked the council to explore time-based limits and distinctions between bars and restaurants.

Staff member (speaker 3) said he prepared a draft ordinance drawn from examples used in other communities and advised the council that the proposal makes a legal distinction between bars and restaurants (including possible revenue-based tests). "So tonight, we're just setting a public hearing to say, let's talk about this in the future, and then, we'll... send out the ordinance tomorrow," he said, adding that council members would have time to propose changes before the July hearing.

Council members debated practical enforcement questions, including who would check IDs and whether a local curfew would conflict with the proposed hours. Several members suggested the measure may affect only a small number of businesses because the town’s only bar currently closes at 10 p.m.; one councilor responded that the Legion may reopen in coming months, which could broaden the ordinance’s impact.

The hearing was set after a motion to schedule the public hearing passed with councilors indicating support during roll call. The ordinance draft will be circulated to members and posted for public review ahead of the July 23 hearing, when the council will receive public comment and consider possible amendments.