Selectmen OK limited temporary use of liquor license at glass‑studio space; three‑month progress review ordered
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Summary
After a continued show‑cause process for a liquor license application tied to a glass‑blowing studio, the Board approved a temporary, limited occupancy use of the license in a partitioned retail/classroom area, required building‑inspector capacity guidance and continued the larger hearing for three months.
The Board of Selectmen on Feb. 25 approved limited temporary use of a liquor license for a portion of a glass‑blowing studio being finished at the Salt Mill complex (applicant: Mr. Adams) and continued the broader licensing review for three months.
At the public continuation of a show‑cause proceeding, the applicant (Mr. Adams) and his partner described a partitioned portion of the building that the Building and Health departments have inspected and said could be used in limited occupancy for classes and post‑class service. The Health Department inspected the service area and approved service of alcohol and prepackaged/nonperishable food in that compartment; the building inspector reviewed plans for temporary egress and a partition to separate the service area from areas still under construction.
Selectmen debated whether to permit temporary use while construction continues elsewhere in the facility. After staff confirmed the applicant had local license documentation and the building inspector would set an explicit occupancy limit for the temporary area, the board voted to allow the limited opening, with the condition that the building inspector define the maximum allowed occupancy and the town be satisfied that required egress and safety measures are in place. The board also voted to continue the overall licensing hearing and review in three months to monitor construction progress. Both motions carried 5‑0.
Why it matters: The decision allows the applicant to begin limited operations in a finished section — retail/classroom and service behind a partition — while the larger build‑out continues, subject to building and health conditions and a near‑term review.
The board asked staff to coordinate with the building inspector (Mr. Pelletier in transcript discussion) to set the temporary occupancy limit and to confirm what, if any, prepackaged food service would be allowed in the temporary area.