EASTHAMPTON — The city is one step closer to allowing eight more establishments to serve liquor, a move city leaders hope will attract more businesses to Easthampton.
On Thursday, the state Senate approved a bill submitted by Sen. Donald Humason, R-Westfield, that, if made law, will “grant 8 additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises,” in Easthampton.
The bill, which will now move to the House for a vote, stipulates that the licensing authority give preference to establishments located in the mill industrial district and the downtown business district.
Mayor Karen L. Cadieux said she was pleased to hear the news.
“The intent is to promote economic development and growth,” Cadieux said Friday.
Easthampton currently has 21 liquor licenses, 17 granted by a state formula and four additional “over quota” licenses. Over quota licenses, granted by the state Legislature, must remain with a specific location rather than being allowed to move from one address to another, as those within the quota are, according to Cadieux.
The eight additional licenses would be more over quota licenses, Cadieux said.
She said businesses looking to Easthampton call frequently asking if there are available liquor licenses and that having the additional over quota licenses would be a boon to the city.
Cadieux expects that the measure will move rapidly through the House and might come into effect within the month.
“I have a feeling the House is going to move it right along,” she said, adding she had contacted Rep. John Scibak, D-South Hadley, to let him know the bill was coming to his chamber.
In November 2015, the City Council voted to approve the measure. At the time, Cadieux said that she had received calls from people hoping to open an establishment in the city. But without any available liquor licenses, many have decided against doing business in Easthampton.
Dave Eisenstadter can be reached at deisen@gazettenet.com.