Alcohol Compliance Checks Result in 100% Compliance

In 2021, the North Reading Select Board authorized Board Policy 1.21 establishing a rule that anyone who serves, takes orders for or delivers alcohol MUST have an approved alcohol server training program certificate, commonly known as TIPS, removing a 30-day grace period for servers and sellers. Policy 1.21 also established a Compliance Check Auditor to complete random checks of all 18 year-round outlets and 3 seasonal outlets in North Reading throughout the year.

The intention of 1.21 is to prevent underage alcohol buying and serving in North Reading. In addition, the Board encourages businesses to partner with the North Reading Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition to provide up-to-date education to employees and partner on science-based methods and activities to prevent violations. These activities are entirely sponsored by Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Program, the town’s federal substance use prevention grant. Additional compliance checks may also be completed throughout the year by the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission or North Reading Police Department.

DFC Director Amy Luckiewicz is happy to report that the 2025 first quarter compliance checks yielded no violations. This was the nineth compliance check since 2021. The North Reading Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition wishes to thank the North Reading businesses for helping to keep kids safe.

The North Reading Community Impact Team also wishes to remind the community that they have a full-time Mental Health/Substance Use Clinician for people to contact if they need assistance with alcohol dependance or any other substance use or mental health need. To contact Laura Miranda, call 978-357-5038 or email at lmiranda@nrpd.org.