← Legal & Legislative Committee · 2026-03-23 · Legal & Legislative Committee
That the City of Melrose accept the paragraph of Section 12 of M.G.L. chapter 138 that any common victualler, who also holds a license to sell wine and malt beverages may, upon written approval by the Melrose Liquor Licensing Commission, also be allowed to sell liqueurs and cordials.
Agenda original PDF
Minutes original PDF
A. (ID # 2026-611): That the City of Melrose accept the paragraph of Section 12 of M.G.L. chapter 138 that any common victualler, who also holds a license to sell wine and malt beverages may, upon written approval by the 2 Melrose Liquor Licensing Commission, also be allowed to sell liqueurs and cordials. Motion to Recommend made by President Freeman Seconded by Councilor Vandiver All were in favor and motion passed RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: City Council AYES: Maya Jamaleddine, Bradley Freeman, Elizabeth Kowal, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Cal Finocchiaro Comments on discussion: -President Freeman stated that Table 4 is in my ward. It's great to see a new business get up and running, so anything that we can do to support new businesses like that, I'm all in favor of. One question I was going to ask you just answered, actually, was how many existing licenses would be eligible for this if they chose to pursue it, and I understand that it's 3. And my other question is just a clarification that if we were to move forward with this, those requests would then go to the Liquor Commission, and you would have a process to determine if those entities were awarded this license, it would be entirely in the purview of the Commission. And I'm under the assumption that it has to go to the state as well, too. Yes, so through the Chair, that's correct. So it would have to be a permit granted by the Liquor Commission in writing. After a hearing, it would then have to be granted by the ABCC after the local license is issued.
Transcript
▶ 4:52 Maya Jamaleddine: Okay. Seeing none, if there is no objection, I will motion to close public comment. Seeing no objection, we are now closed for public comment.
▶ 5:05 Maya Jamaleddine: Next, onto our ordinance and items on our agenda. Um, ID number twenty twenty-six dash six eleven, that the City of Melrose accept the paragraph of Section twelve of M- MGL Chapter one thirty-eight, that any common victualer, who also holds a license to sell wine and malt beverages may, upon written approval by the Melrose Liquor Licensing Commission, also be allowed to sell liquors and, cordials. Uh, we have... Hi, Madam, Phillips. Uh, please- Good evening. The floor is yours. Uh, Shannon- It's been a while since I've been in this, room, so
▶ 5:51 Speaker 4: No problem. Forgot everybody's names. Uh, Shannon Phillips, City Solicitor. I'm joined, tonight by Joe Nevin, who's the Chair of the Liquor Commission. Uh, this current order is on your agenda tonight at the request of both the mayor and the Melrose Liquor Commission. Table four, specifically Melrose, a new restaurant. It's currently a licensed restaurant in Melrose with a wine and malt beverage license only. Uh, they're looking to, it's my understanding and, um-Joe can elaborate on this little more, but they're looking to expand their offerings to customers to now include cordials and liquors. Under state law, if the city through its city council accepts this paragraph that we've identified, as laid out, the Melrose Liquor Commission will then be able to permit, any common vic restaurants that also have, a only a wine and malt beverage license to also sell, cordials and liquors, at their premises. Uh, the mayor and the Liquor Commission are requesting council accept this section so that the commission will then have the ability to permit these licensed restaurants which don't have an all alcohol license, like Table 4, so that they can expand their offerings to customers. Um, so as I mentioned, with me tonight is Joe Nevin, who's the chair of the Liquor Commission. I'll turn it over to him now to add anything he'd like related to why the commission is looking for this option.
▶ 7:06 Speaker 1: Thank you.
▶ 7:08 Speaker 3: We're looking... Thank you. Joe Nevin. Uh, it's really at the request of our, license holder that we are looking into this. Um, we think it's a good idea. It's, it'll allow them to have a broader offering. They have a very, them s- specifically have a very unique offering, and, to be able to do things that are very complimentary, like a, a Aperol Spritz or things of that nature, they'll be able to do that. Uh, what the cordials are, you know, liquors as well as, alcohol that has a high su- a higher sugar content. I don't know the exact threshold of that, but it's, you know... So they have the ability to serve anything made with those products, and, they can craft that. But, overall, it's a, it's just a different product. And, each, any establishment that comes to us will have its own unique point of view on it.
▶ 8:10 Speaker 3: Thank you. Uh, and we only have three license holders, currently. One is, Wooden Fire, one is, Table 4, and one is Big Fin Pokey.
▶ 8:20 Maya Jamaleddine: Perfect. Mm-hmm. And, I have next, President Freeman.
▶ 8:25 Bradley Freeman: Thank you very much. Um, first, I just wanna say, Table 4 is in my ward. Uh, it's great to see a new business get up and running. So I... Anything that we can do to support new businesses like that, I'm all in favor of. One question I was gonna ask you, you just answered actually, was how many existing licenses would be eligible for this if they chose to pursue it. So thank you for that. And my other question is just a clarification, that if we were to move forward with this, those requests would then go to the Liquor Commission and, and you would have a process to determine if those entities were awarded this license. It would entirely- That's correct ... purview of the commission.
▶ 8:56 Speaker 3: And I'm, under the assumption that it has to go to the state as well too.
▶ 8:59 Speaker 4: Yes. So through the chair, that's correct. So it would have to be a permit granted by the Liquor Commission in writing, after hearing, and then it would then have to be granted by the ABCC after the local license is issued.
▶ 9:08 Speaker 5: Wonderful. Thank you.
▶ 9:10 Maya Jamaleddine: Perfect. Any other comments from my colleagues? What is the will of the committee?
▶ 9:17 Speaker 5: Motion to recommend.
▶ 9:18 Speaker 2: Second.
▶ 9:19 Maya Jamaleddine: We have a motion to recommend made by President Freeman, seconded by Councilor Vanderberg. Uh, on discussion. Seeing none, all in favor? Aye. Aye. Any oppose? Okay. Thank you. This is passed- Thank you ... and will be recommended to the full council.