Tewksbury To Make One-Time 50% Cut To Alcohol License Fees

TEWKSBURY, MA — Tewksbury restaurants and bars will get a one-time break on their alcohol licenses as town officials seek to help them through the coronavirus pandemic.

The Board of Selectmen voted Feb. 9 to grant a waiver on 50% of businesses' all alcohol, beer and wine and club fees.

Selectman Mark Kratman recommended the move based on discussions on the Economic Development Committee about ways to help businesses.

"Right now, due to covid, due to state restrictions, businesses aren't able to use those licenses as they have in the past," Kratman said. "A number of different communities have taken action on it, either reducing or waiving fees."

Towns including Dracut, Billerica and Chelmsford have made similar moves, Kratman said.

The fee waivers will cost the town about $44,000, Town Manager Richard Montuori said.

Ahead of the vote, Angelina's owner Susan Amato argued in favor of the measure.

"As a business owner and a resident, I feel that we've just been ignored," Amato said.

The board voted unanimously in favor of the waiver.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.