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Fall 2021 Special Town Meeting - Monday November 8, 2021 at 7:00 PM

At Berlin Memorial School, 34 South Street, Berlin, MA 01503
Event Date: 
Monday, November 8, 2021 - 7:00pm

Special Fall Town Meeting will be:

  • Monday, Nov. 8th, 2021
  • 7:00 PM
  • at Berlin Memorial School (indoors/gymnasium) 
  • 34 South St., Berlin, MA 01503

The WARRANT for this Special Town Meeting:

  • Online HERE
  • Posted at the Town Offices (23 Linden St), Town Hall (12 Woodward Ave), US Post Office (260 Pleasant St), and at the Berlin Public Library (23 Carter St)
  • Was delivered to US Postal Service at least 14 days before Special Town Meeting (on Friday, October 22, 2021) for delivery to all registered voter households  
  • Posted to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BerlinMASS/posts/249845547175030

OTHER INFO FOR VOTERS:  

* Relating to STM Article #4 which reads:

ARTICLE 4:  To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to petition the General Court in the form set forth below, authorizing the Board to issue up to two (2) additional off-premises all alcoholic beverages license, provided, however, that the General Court may make clerical or editorial changes of form only to the bill, unless the Board of Selectmen approve amendments to the bill before enactment by the General Court, and to authorize the Select Board to approve amendments which shall be within the scope of the general objectives of the petition:

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF BERLIN TO GRANT UP TO TWO ADDITIONAL LICENSES FOR THE SALE OF ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES NOT TO BE DRUNK ON THE PREMISES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding Section 17 of Chapter 138 of the General Laws relative to the number of licenses that may be granted in the town of Berlin, the licensing authority of the town of Berlin may grant up to two additional licenses for the sale at retail of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises under Section 15 of said Chapter 138.  The licensees shall comply with such requirements and conditions as the licensing authority shall deem appropriate.  The licenses shall be subject to all of said Chapter 138, except said Section 17 relative to the number of licenses that may be granted.  Either license may be transferred to a new applicant if the applicant files with the licensing authority a letter from the department of revenue indicating that the license is in good standing with the department and that all applicable taxes have been paid. The licenses shall be subject to all other provisions of said Chapter 138.

If either license granted under this section is cancelled, revoked or no longer in use, it shall be returned physically, with all of the legal rights, privileges and restrictions pertaining thereto, to the licensing authority, which may then grant the license to a new applicant. 

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Or take any action relative thereto. (Select Board)

Summary:  This article would allow the Select Board to petition the legislature for an increase in the number of Section 15 All-Alcohol retail licenses that could be issued in the Town of Berlin.  Currently, the Town has issued its quota of (2) of these licenses and is unable to issue additional licenses without legislative approval.

Click here to see the Town of Berlin retail liquor licenses Quota as issued by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) and dated October 29, 2021

Click here to see the list of retail liquor licenses now issued by the Town of Berlin Select Board (Local Licensing Authority) through October 29, 2021

* Relating to STM Article # 5 which reads:

ARTICLE 5:  To see if the Town will vote to accept and approve, under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 114, §23, the rules and regulations proposed by the Town of Berlin Board of Cemetery Commissioners, as set forth more particularly in a document filed with the Town Clerk, or take any action relative thereto. (Cemetery Commission)

Summary:  The Cemetery Commission seeks town approval of its established rules and regulations as required by MGL c.114, s.23, “…subject to the approval of the town, may make such regulations, consistent with law, as it deems expedient”.

Click here to see the Cemetery Standing Rules (Adopted May 18, 2010; Amended January 15, 2012, and March 24, 2021).  While these rules have been in use for the past decade, Massachusetts General Law Chapter 114, Section 23, requires that public burial ground regulations be first approved by Town Meeting.

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:

10/28/2021   Virtual Coffee Talk with the Select Board -- this well-attended meeting provided information from various article sponsors and an opportunity for public Q&A.  WATCH THE PLAYBACK ON the Town's YOUTUBE Channel when the video is uploaded:  https://www.youtube.com/user/townofberlintv

10/29/2021    NOW PASSED - Open Voter Registration for the Special Town Meeting - last opportunity to register to participate in the Special Town Meeting.  Visit the Town Clerk's Office ASAP.  Special hours on Friday, October 29th from 9 AM to 8 PM.  Town Clerk's Office is located on the second floor of the Town Offices (Room 202), Berlin Town Office complex, 23 Linden Street, Berlin, MA 01503