Norwood Wants Court, Not ABCC, to Rule on Appeals-July 28, 1993

Norwood Selectmen Seek Legislation to Bypass ABCC on Liquor License Appeals

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In the midst of a heated debate over liquor license appeals, the selectmen of Norwood gathered at their meeting to discuss a bold proposal that would remove the authority of the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) from the local process. The board voted 3-1 in favor of asking state Representative John Rogers to file special legislation that would allow applicants for liquor licenses to appeal licensing denials directly to Superior Court, rather than seeking relief from the ABCC.

This decisive move was prompted by recent rulings from the state commission, which had instructed the selectmen to reconsider their previous denials of license applications. The most notable case involved Mad Maggie’s Billiard Parlor, owned by James McConchie and James Shane, who sought to transfer an alcohol license from a fitness club across the street to their billiard parlor. Despite James McConchie‘s previous promises in 1990 and 1991 that he would not seek a liquor license for the establishment, the selectmen denied the request in April.

The ABCC subsequently disapproved of the selectmen’s decision, stating that they were obligated to make findings based strictly on the merits of the application. This ruling sparked a heated debate among the selectmen, with some arguing that appealing directly to the courts would save valuable time and money for the town. Board Chair Gary Lee emphasized that appeals to the commission and subsequent hearings with the selectmen cost the municipality significant resources in attorney’s fees.

The proposal to remove the ABCC from the process was met with enthusiasm by Representative John Rogers, who stated that he would file legislation to implement the change. He noted that his colleagues in the House might be receptive to the Norwood proposal if licensing boards in other communities similarly pressure their legislators to take action. While the ABCC plays a crucial role in enforcing state laws on alcohol sales and distribution, conducting investigations, and levying fines, local leaders aim to streamline the regulatory framework and curb municipal legal expenses through direct judicial review.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger