Selectmen Freeze New Liquor Licenses Amid South Norwood Barroom Protests
Responding to intense pressure from residents over nightlife disturbances in South Norwood, the Board of Selectmen voted 3–1 to freeze the issuance of all new liquor licenses.
Public Hearing and Revived Licensing Freeze
During a packed, two-hour public hearing at Memorial Hall drawing roughly 125 residents and bar owners, community members voiced strong concerns regarding the heavy concentration of bars in South Norwood. Karen Elias, chief spokesperson for the Concerned Citizens of South Norwood (residing at 14 St. George Avenue), acknowledged that street loitering had decreased slightly but argued that public drinking controls remained inadequate. Elias criticized the high concentration of establishments—noting that eight of the town’s 25 restaurant and bar licenses were clustered within a three-quarters-of-a-mile radius—and objected to police radio references branding the neighborhood as “Sin City” or “Dodge City.”
Other local figures testified during the hearing:
- Finance Commissioner William C. Phipps asserted that residents wanted a decent environment free from alcohol-fueled disturbances and criticized police for failing to crack down on older youths purchasing alcohol for minors.
- The Rev. Al Abracinskas, pastor of St. George Orthodox Church, criticized judicial leniency and urged stronger character formation in homes and schools.
- Moderator William J. Plasko, speaking as a Walpole package store assistant manager, urged package store operators to help monitor straw purchases for minors.
Board Debate and Police Measures
Selectman Joseph W. Wall moved to freeze all new liquor licenses for bars, restaurants, and package stores. Selectman George S. Usevich supported the measure despite initial concerns over inflated license resale values, while Selectman William F. Butters cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing the town needed a redistribution rather than a total freeze. Selectman Chairman Joseph F. Curran supported the majority while cautioning that flexibility might be needed for future package store authorizations or quality dining facilities like a dinner theater.
Police Chief James F. Curran outlined enhanced enforcement steps, including increased cruiser patrols prior to bar closings, targeted parking enforcement on side streets off Washington Street, and the designation of Detective William C. Casey as the department’s alcoholic beverages control agent. Chief Curran also reported that between June 1 and September 13, police prosecuted 37 public drinking cases and placed 83 individuals in overnight protective custody, while sharply criticizing the state law lowering the legal drinking age to 18.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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