Melrose City Council Approves Retail Liquor Sales

MELROSE, MA — The City Council has approved the sale of liquor in a handful of local retail stores, the city's final vote in what has been a longwinded but significant step in modernizing the its liquor laws.

The order passed Monday night without any discussion — much of which was already had in previous meetings. Councilors Shawn MacMaster and Robb Stewart voted against; MacMaster had previously voted against recommending it to the full Council.

The special act moves to Beacon Hill, where it may stall for a bit. Melrose does not have an elected official representing it in the House since Paul Brodeur became mayor. There is March 3 special election to choose his successor. (Early voting started Monday.)

Buckalew's and Beacon Hill Wine have two of the licenses that would be impacted; Both owners have spoken in favor of the order. A third license that would also be impacted is not currently being used.

Monday's vote was quick, though the process has been anything but smooth so far.

One major sticking point is whether small containers will be allowed to be sold. The Council has discussed some kind of size restriction — such a restriction would keep smaller containers such as nips from the shelves.

But doing so may put the whole order at risk at the State House, City Solicitor Robert Van Campen has warned. A lawsuit regarding Chelsea's wholesale ban of nips is pending, and the Legislature may be hesitant to act on Melrose's request to do the same.

Zero Waste Melrose has asked the Council to consider the impact of nips, decrying the single-use plastics.

There was an order Monday night for a resolution "for state action to combat nip bottle and single use water bottle litter." There was a request it be considered immediately, but Councilor John Tramontozzi objected, pushing the order to the Legal and Legislative Committee.