Saugus selectmen approve new liquor rules, regulations

SAUGUS – The Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 to amend the town’s liquor rules and regulations despite one board member’s concern that the article has an inherent flaw.The vote was made subject to the approval of Town Counsel John Vasapolli.After a liquor license was granted to a convenience store, Donna McNeil and Ellen Faiella, co-chairmen of Saugus Speaks Out, brought forth an amendment that would keep convenience and other retail food stores from selling alcohol.During Tuesday’s public hearing on the article, Selectman Peter Rossetti said while he supported the premise, he couldn’t support the amendment.He argued that any establishment without a license already sells 100 percent nonalcoholic related items and would never be granted a license.Rossetti said if large outfits such as Wegman’s, a grocery store, Trader Joe’s or Costco want to come into town contingent on a beer and wine license that would automatically kill the application.He also argued that he thought the current system was a better way to go.”When the public comes out and speaks we listen,” he said. “You’d rather put in a bylaw that will be challenged.”Selectman Michael Kelleher said he didn’t see a problem with the article since the community spoke loud and clear when it shot down a state initiative to allow wine sales in grocery stores 2-1.Selectman Stephen Horlick suggested the article be sent to Vasapolli before they take a vote, but McNeil said that should have already been done.”I’m greatly disappointed that this discussion is taking place tonight and not the night we brought it forward so we could have had the opinion for tonight,” she said.Rossetti and Horlick also got into a heated argument over the issue. Horlick called the amendment a safety net while Rossetti claimed it was taking power away from the board and not protecting anything.”I think we should do something,” Horlick said. “It’s better that we sit here and argue and do nothing?”Rossetti shot back.”You don’t trust the public to come in and make its wishes known,” he asked. “You honestly think after all this the public would let this (issue) slide?”Board members weren’t the only ones to get riled over the issue. Dan McNeil, a firefighter and Donna McNeil’s husband, also got a few shots in at Rossetti before Chairman Donald Wong brought his gavel down and called for a stop to personal attacks.Diane Serino, also of Saugus Speaks Out, said board members should simply look at statistics. The main reason Saugus Speaks Out wants the amendment is because liquor in convenience stores makes it more accessible and alluring to teens.”Saugus is ahead of the state and, at times, the country for alcohol use (with minors),” she said. “I think it’s your responsibility to look at this and see what you can do.”The board voted 4-1 to approve the article pending an opinion from Vasapolli.”I spent three and a half years in law school and when something is wrong it will stay wrong and there is a fatal flaw in this,” Rossetti said. “I don’t disagree with the intent but the premise is wrong.”