- Written by Fred Hanson, Patriot Ledger Fred Hanson, Patriot Ledger
- Published: 16 October 2018 16 October 2018
- Hits: 1778 1778
(To read original article, click here)
The transfer was opposed by a citizens’ group calling itself No to Big Box Liquors Braintree and other liquor retailers who said Total would be the size of all the town’s other retailers combined and would be a threat to local small businesses. Brian Haney, a lawyer for the group, said they are disappointed with the board’s decision.
Haney said the group “continues to feel it is not in the best interest of the Town of Braintree and its residents to have a 26,000-square-foot liquor store and will consider carefully and quickly the options available to use following the board’s decision.
That includes a possible appeal to the state commission or in court, Haney said. Four town councilors and 372 signers of a petition also opposed the license transfer. There were 348 signatures on a petition in support. The board did not discuss the transfer request before taking a series of individual votes on the so-called “Ballarin factors” established by legal precedent for the evaluation of liquor license applications. The factors include such considerations as public need and existing licenses. Fire Chief James O’Brien cast the lone vote in opposition to the transfer. “I think it will have an impact of revenue loss for small businesses,” O’Brien replied when asked why he voted against the request.