Selectmen Vote Unanimously to Support State Ban On “Happy Hours”-August 22, 1984

Spearheaded by Selectman William F. Butters, the initiative targets barroom gimmicks offering cut-rate drink prices or complimentary food during late-afternoon and early-evening hours, which Butters characterized as “an inducement to drink more alcohol in a short period of time.”

Butters, who manages the family-owned South Norwood Pharmacy—a local business encompassing both pharmacy and liquor retail operations—urged his fellow board members to take a firm public stand in the interest of community safety. Having recently attended a regional ABCC hearing in Hyannis, Butters noted that the state agency is actively consulting with industry stakeholders and law enforcement before officially proposing a statewide ban. However, he voiced dismay over the sparse turnout at the Cape Cod session, observing that only about a dozen tavern operators and a single police chief were present. Remarking that bar owners driven by economic motives might overlook public safety concerns, Butters pointed out that selectmen in Barnstable had already exercised local licensing authority to ban happy hours outright. He affirmed that if the ABCC fails to enact a statewide prohibition, he would strongly advocate for Norwood to implement its own municipal ban.

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