Selectmen OK Wine Sales on Common

Despite some concerns raised before and after the vote, selectmen unanimously approved selling wine during this summer’s Farmer’s Market at their meeting tonight.

The wine would be sold, and free samples will be offered, during the markets, which will be held from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays from June 28 to Oct. 13 on the Common.

The approval was granted to Wade Holtzman of Still River Winery in Harvard and Frank Zoll of Zoll Brothers Private Cellar in Shrewsbury. They were invited to the market because they are certified Massachusetts wineries that use products from local farms to make their wines.

Two stipulations were placed on the vote. The chief must be contacted and raise no objection, and any violation would result in their expulsion from the market.

The wine would only be served, as a free sample, in half-ounce containers, Zoll said. Identification would be requested of customers and the closed wine bottles will be stored under the table and not easily accessible, he said.

Zoll said he already sells his wine in a number of other Farmer’s Markets, including Westborough.

Selectman John Carlson said that selling wine on the Common could create problems. “The sale of alcoholic beverages on the Common, especially with all the kids there, requires scrutiny,’’ he said.

Selectman David Ross suggested that police visit the Common during Farmer’s Market to make sure the alcohol is being offered and sold responsibly.

“Not a lot of kids hang out at the Common [during Farmer’s Market], but once they see there’s alcohol on the Common,’’ that could change, he said.