AMHERST — Even though the Taste of Amherst draws thousands of people to the Amherst Town Common each year, sampling a craft beer or a locally made wine means venturing off the green, where alcohol is prohibited.
Many people may enjoy a cocktail with their Sunday brunch, but at an Amherst restaurant they likely have to wait until the clock strikes noon to be served that beverage.
These are among the long-standing rules that might change as the Select Board begins examining its current liquor license policies and best practices.
At the board’s meeting Monday, members discussed a 15-page draft, put together by Debra Puppel, the assistant to the town manager, that describes how the board licenses establishments that sell and provide alcohol.
Select Board Chairwoman Alisa Brewer said the document, which the board received May 18, includes best practices and current rules, as well as acknowledging the reality that Amherst is a town with many college students who aren’t yet old enough to consume alcohol legally.
While Brewer called the draft of rules and regulations a great starting point, she cautioned that the board hasn’t yet discussed it with the owners of package stores and restaurants, the Amherst Business Improvement District, the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce or the University of Massachusetts.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman said a working group, including members of the board, may need to review the document.
Still, board members said they appreciated having the write-up.
“This is something we’ve needed to get at,” said Andy Steinberg, adding that he doesn’t want to develop policies that place undue burdens on businesses.
“This is a great starting place,” Connie Kruger said. “I’m hoping we can soon get to a draft that we can circulate.”
Kruger said the draft should also have a preamble that illustrates how seriously the town takes underage drinking for the safety and protection of those not old enough to consume alcohol.
Among possible changes in policies the board could consider is what Brewer calls the “mimosa provision,” which would allow restaurants to serve that drink, and other cocktails, before noon on Sundays. Brewer said some restaurants may already be furnishing alcohol before noon, but it would take a vote by Town Meeting, possibly this fall, to permit this.
Kristi Bodin, an Amherst attorney who works with some liquor-license holders, told the board that allowing Sunday morning hours would be helpful for those restaurants that want to offer brunch.
Among other policies that could be up for discussion are allowing alcohol to be served on the Town Common, rather than in a tent on the other side of Boltwood Avenue, during the Taste, refining how alcohol is provided at events such as weddings and the “Chamber After 5” gatherings put on by the Amherst Area Chamber, adjusting mandates that require license holders to serve food, and defining specific penalties for infractions.
Board member Douglas Slaughter said having these policies in writing for alcohol may help guide the town in setting policies related to recreational marijuana next year.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
