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Bill

H 4990

An Act authorizing the town of Sherborn to grant 1 additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises

193rd Legislature (2023-2024) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa

Sherborn, MA gains one additional off-premises alcohol retail license, exempting it from state population-based licensing restrictions.

Laid before the Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 4990

Legislative bill overview

This bill authorizes the town of Sherborn, Massachusetts to issue one additional off-premises alcoholic beverage license (such as for a liquor store). The bill grants the town a one-time exception to state law, which typically limits the number of licenses municipalities can issue based on population. This is a local authorization bill that has already been enacted.

Why is this important

Off-premises alcohol licenses are economically significant for retail businesses and generate tax revenue for municipalities. The bill allows Sherborn to expand its retail alcohol market by one license, potentially enabling a new business to open or an existing business to relocate/expand. Such authorizations reflect local demand and can affect commercial development patterns in small towns.

Potential points of contention

  • Population-based licensing caps: State law restricts licenses by population for public health and safety reasons; local exceptions may be seen as circumventing statewide policy
  • Market saturation concerns: Existing license holders in Sherborn may oppose new competition for the same customer base
  • Equity and precedent: Other towns may seek similar authorizations, raising questions about whether exceptions should be applied consistently across municipalities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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