HUDSON – The town of Hudson now has an additional available liquor license. But applicants will have to wait to apply for it.
Hudson, which currently has four active retail all-alcohol licenses, was granted an additional license after 2020 Census data showed a population increase in town.
Meeting on Feb. 7, though, the Hudson Select Board voted unanimously to establish a moratorium on new liquor licenses until Feb. 28.
Executive Assistant Thomas Gregory later told the Community Advocate that this action aims to give time for the Select Board to finalize a procedure for applicants.
An All-Alcohol Retail License allows a license-holder to sell all types of alcohol, from beer and wine to hard liquor.
Hudson already has a proposed procedure to field applications and award a license. That procedure would begin on March 1 allowing potential applicants to submit a letter of interest before March 15.
“The issuance for the license should meet the public need,” Gregory said. “The Select Board can deliberate and review these letters of interest on how a license will meet the public need.”
The Select Board will review all letters of interest on March 28 and invite one applicant to apply for the available license.
Any applicant will undergo a public hearing during the formal application process.
“The process is intended to be fair and transparent,” Gregory said.
Hudson plans to finalize the process in a notice on Feb. 18.
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