Article Contributed on: 11/27/2007 2:24:27 PM
The Town Council approved, on first reading, a new ordinance that will allow liquor stores to offer sample tastings to customers at its regular meeting on Nov. 13. The ordinance is a response to a recent state law that authorized municipalities to permit liquor tastings under certain circumstances.
I was the only member of the Council to oppose this ordinance. I did so for three reasons. First, I believe that allowing liquor stores to offer samples of beer, wine and distilled spirits will result, at some point, in a customer becoming too intoxicated to drive and that there is a significant risk that some minors will gain access to alcohol by sampling it at liquor stores. Second, I don't believe we should burden our police department with the necessity of assuring compliance with the tasting rules. Third, I don't see why we should deviate from the long tradition of allowing people to drink alcohol in their home or in bars and restaurants but not at liquor stores.
The proposed ordinance is up for second and final reading on Nov. 27. I expect it will pass by the same margin as it did on first reading.