The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a new policy to allow restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages to people seated outdoors.
The policy and licenses are understood to be temporary, and will expire November 1. 

The Selectmen approved applications from the Gateway Tavern, Ella’s Wood Burning Oven Restaurant,  Bailey’s Surf and Turf, the Ninety Nine Restaurant, Lindsey’s Family Restaurant, and the Dudley Brown VFW. 

The Selectmen then voted to allow Town Administrator Derek Sullivan to issue these licenses going forward so restaurant owners wouldn’t need to wait until the board’s weekly meetings.

The board also discussed allowing restaurant owners to use town property for food and alcoholic beverage sales during the pandemic on a case-by-case basis. Possible locations include sidewalks, the street by El Mariachi that has been used by the restaurant in the past, or restricting traffic on some streets to one direction. The town and restaurants would also need to secure appropriate insurance to cover the activity. 

Policies like this have been successful and popular in surrounding towns. 

The board noted that the policy would include restrictions to minimize disruption to neighbors.

Restaurant owners interested in permits for outdoor alcohol service on their own property or on town property should reach out to the Board of Health to apply.