EASTHAMPTON – Governor Charlie Baker signed legislation Friday granting Easthampton eight additional liquor licenses, which city officials hope will spur more economic development.
The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Donald Humason, R-Westfield, who said the new license will be good for the city whose businesses and cultural events continue to draw interest from visitors.
“I don’t know if eight (new liquor licenses) is going to make a big impact, but it’s going to have a bigger impact than none,” Humason said as he was leaving the city’s Cultural Chaos event Saturday. “The folks at the local level know best what they think will help with the economic development of the town.”
Easthampton currently has 21 liquor licenses, 17 granted by a state formula and four additional “over quota” licenses. The latter licenses are granted by the state Legislature and must remain with a specific location rather than being allowed to move from one address to another.
The legislation signed by Baker states that when granting the eight new liquor licenses, the city’s Licensing Board must give preference to establishments located in the mill industrial district and the downtown business district.
In addition, once issued, the board cannot approve the transfer of a license to any other location but may grant it to a new applicant at the same location. Licenses that are cancelled, revoked or no longer in use must be returned to the board.
Easthampton’s City Council voted to approve petitioning the Legislature for the eight additional over-quota liquor licenses in November.
Staff Writer Dan Crowley can be reached at dcrowley@gazettenet.com.