Selectmen 'Embarrassed' By Failed Liquor License Checks

DEDHAM, MA — The selectmen will hear from 11 establishments about a liquor license compliance check that they allegedly failed on May 29.

The board voted to hold the hearing on a date to be determined. While over 70 establishments passed the check, Joe’s American Bar and Grill, Showcase Cinemas, PF Chang’s, Victory Grille, Costco’s, Met Bar, Anthony’s Beer and Wine, Pancho’s Taqueria, Deli After Dark, Halfway Cafe, and Tahiti all allegedly sold an underage operative an alcoholic product.

Chairman James MacDonald, who usually recuses himself from matters that could end up in front of the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABCC), called the failures unacceptable and an embarrassment.

“In my time on the board this is the most that have ever failed and I think it should be a wake-up call for all the establishments in Dedham,” MacDonald said. “You have to ask for an ID. You ask for an ID and you compute the math and if it doesn't come to 21, guess what? You don’t serve them.”

Selectman Dennis Teehan said he questioned if the liquor license laws are being respected or if there is something systematically that’s being done wrong.

“We need to look at this constructively, so we can move forward and this doesn’t happen again,” he said.

MacDonald said that the checks were done in line with ABCC regulations and were advertised.

Image: File Photo