Fatal New Year's Crash Leads to Liquor License Suspension

ARLINGTON, MA. - Selectmen recently imposed the most rigorous sanctions ever imposed on a local restaurant in town when they voted on Monday to suspend Common Ground’s liquor license for three days following the drunk driving death of a local man last New Year’s Eve.

The Board of Selectmen held a hearing on Dec. 7 to examine potential violations by Common Ground. Specifically, according to town counsel, was whether Common Ground violated the terms of its alcohol license by serving alcoholic beverages to an intoxicated person in violation of state liquor laws on or about Dec. 31, 2014.

The Arlington Police Department and the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission investigated the death of James McLaughlin, 50, of Arlington, who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol when he crashed his SUV near 135 Pleasant St. at about 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 1. Two passengers were also injured, according to police.

Common Ground is a neighborhood restaurant that has been serving the Allston/Brighton community for more than 15 years. Common Ground has not previously been found to have violated any liquor licensing laws either in Arlington or in its Boston location, according to officials.

In one vote, selectmen voted 4 to 1 to suspend Common Ground’s liquor license for three days. Town Counselman Doug Heim’s proposal also prohibits the bar from extending hours for events. If Common Ground is found to have committed any violation of their liquor license for the next year, the restaurant will face an automatic 14-day suspension..

Selectwoman Diane Mahon was the dissenting vote.

“It is our understanding that Common Ground will not appeal the decision of the Board,” Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine wrote in an email response on Tuesday.

What 3 days will the restaurant lose its license?

“That has yet to be determined,” Mr. Chapdelaine wrote.” Town Counsel is drafting a formal decision for the Board which will be on the next Board agenda. However, per Board policy, the suspension will begin on the same day of the week as the violation occurred. So, in this case, it means that the three day suspension will fall on a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.”

Was this the first time the board imposed such rigorous sanctions?

“It is my understanding that these sanctions, most notably the 14-day suspension held in abeyance, are the most rigorous sanctions ever imposed by the Board,” Mr. Chapdelaine wrote.

McLaughlin lost control of his SUV, leaving the road near the curve at Lakeview Street and hitting a tree, according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. He died Saturday, Jan. 3, from injuries he sustained in an early morning crash on New Year’s Day.

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Image: Common Ground