Will Upton Issue BYOB Licenses?

At last weeks Board of Selectmen’s meeting owner of V-Organic Cafe, Veronica Ramos, approached the board requesting they reconsider the ban on BYOB.

Last year Ramos inquired what the procedure would be to obtain a BYOB license in Upton. Ramos said she understood because Upton had remained silent on the issue BYOB could take place. Upon her inquiry the board discussed the possibility of licenses and decided they would not support BYOB requests brought by local businesses.

Ramos would like to have BYOB for V-Organic Cafe where she holds paint parties, wedding showers, and special events. Ramos stressed her establishment is relatively small and she can’t afford the fee or the insurance required for a liquor license.

“I think BYOB is attractive to people,” Ramos said. “People all over the state have wine with their paint parties, it’s something I would like our community to consider.”

Ramos identified several provisions other towns have for BYOB including limiting the number of BYOB licenses offered, restricting the quantity of alcohol a patron can bring, involving  the police department in the licensing process, and making sure no one would drink in excess.

When asked by member Ken Picard, “Annually how many events do you think you would have?”  Ramos said she could have paint parties weekly, “They are hugely popular.”

Member Bob Fleming has reservations about how the events would be managed. “Certainly people can bring their own alcohol but who would measure what the consumption rate is? I’ve been in situations when people don’t know when to stop. I would hate to see that someone leave and get on the street,” Fleming said. Fleming also asked if Ramos would be willing to take the same type of courses required of those who have a full license. Ramos said, “I think that seems reasonable.”

Committee Chair Jim Brochu expressed he wanted the board to be fair. Other establishments in town go through the process and pay for a liquor license. “I don’t want to compare you to the Rose Garden or Red Rock but they do all the other steps because alcohol is playing a part in their business.” Brochu pointed out Upton does have a couple of liquor licenses still available.

Ramos said in response to Brochu’s concern on fairness, “I have 8 small tables. I don’t know what the benefit would be (in obtaining a full license), it would be more of a community kind of gathering. If I were doing a weekly paint party.”

Other related issues which the board would need to iron out if they were to move forward with a BYOB license would be setting a price for the license, setting a limit for liability insurance, setting hours, limiting the number of patrons, etc.  The members have several concerns about BYOB but agreed to do some due diligence and put the issue up for discussion again in an upcoming agenda.

The Selectmen requested Ms. Ramos meet with the Chief of Police on the issue of BYOB. Town Manager Blythe Robinson was going to let Chief Bradley know the board requested the meeting and would ask Chief Bradley to respond back to the board after the meeting.

Would you like to see BYOB in Upton?