Changes Made To Alcohol Regulations In Chatham

CHATHAM – After taking suggestions from local businesses, the Chatham Board of Selectmen finalized town wide changes to alcohol regulations. 

Businesses that have an annual license must be open at least five days a week between the last Saturday in May and October 15^th. 

During the rest of the year they must be open for a minimum of three days. 

Selectman Cory Metters suggested making the process easy for an owner to close just a part of their establishment for a specified period. 

“It would be reasonable to have those license holders come in and just simply say they’re going to have a temporary closing of the front porch for this month. I think that’s something that’s reasonable and makes sense,” he said. 

If a licensee wishes to take an action that goes against any of the regulations, they must get permission from the board or incur a fine.  Metters also put forth the idea of raising the amounts. 

“My recommendation would be to jump the first offense to $125, the second to $250 and the third to $500.  I just feel a little more comfortable with heftier fines,” he said. 

At a previous meeting, a liquor store’s representative asked for a language change that would say a manager is not responsible for an employee’s violation. 

A change was made limiting the guilt to where there has been a failure to properly train or supervise the employee.