I disagree with Mr Kurland. From McDonalds I can see Burger King. From Dunkin Donuts, I can see Starbucks. From Cumberland Farms, I can see the other gas station. From Dunkin Donuts, I can see Einstein, McD, and BK, all of which sell breakfast, not to mention CF, which does too. And so on.

The argument does not hold water. If the issue is liquor is a controlled substance, than doesn't work either, as Applebees, Moes, and the new Pho all sell it.

The Meat House ruling doesn't make sense, and neither does this to me. Im not a big fan of conspiracy theory, but int his case, I cant think if any other reason.

Hannaford in NH sells beer and wine. The Gulf (used to be Mobil) across from hannaford sells beer and wine. Why should Hannaford be left.. Mind you, i dont even drink

I also think that the Hannaford Store in Chelmsford should be allowed to sell beer and wine. They are legal substances (beer and wine) and there are many medical studies that indicate that one serving of beer or wine a day can help prevent heart attacks and also provide many other health benefits as well. I'm not a big drinker by the way, I'm just stating the facts that are readily available to everyone. :-)

I also think Chelmsford should be a location that is "business friendly" so that the businesses that locate here in town thrive and remain in business for many years, thereby providing not only goods and services to our residents, but also many jobs as well....something that is critically needed these days.

In the free enterprise system that we are fortunate enough to have in this country, it has been clearly shown that competition between businesses helps our consumers enjoy better quality goods and services at lower prices. Our town should be fostering competition, not putting up artificial barriers to it and deciding which businesses should get an advantage by selling beer and wine and which should not. The usual checks of business owner character & background and other local rules should be complied with of course, however those "rules" should not limit our local businesses, like Hannafords and the Meat House, from selling beer and wine, in my opinion anyway. Let's help our local businesses -- and their employees -- thrive and prosper here in Chelmsford.

Is it the governments role to protect the liquor store from competition? If the marketplace is saying that they would like the convenience of buying wine with their groceries, isn't the grocer obliged to meet the demands of their customers?

Did you know that Walmart sells wine and beer in NH? What is to stop them from requesting a license? The Town of Chelmsford has it's fait share of liquor stores. We have not only the restaurants that are mentioned above that serve alcohol but also the small restaurants throughout the town that serve pizza and sandwiches. How can we stop at Hannaford and not give a license to Market Basket and Stop & Shop? We do not even have enough police to moniter the speeding that takes place throughout the town. Will the town gain revenue but allowing more sales? No then things should remain as they are now.

I dont want to go to the restaurant. I want a bottle of wine on my way home with my groceries. Yes they should all get a license. When they fail to be profitable, they will decide whether or not they want to market the products. The police issue is ridiculous.

The Town Selectmen made a seriouse mistake when they voted not to allow a license for the Meat House, who has proved to be an excellent asset to the Town. Don't make the same blunder again, possibly under the influence of the CBA, to deny another license that will stimulate competition in a stagnant economy. Hannaford's has experience in multiple states selling alcohol, they know the rules and regulations, stop inhibiting business and free trade.

There has long been a protectionist approach to liquor sales in Chelmsford. There are a few established liquor stores, and they've been around for a long time. So, Chelmsford takes care of their own. But I'm over that. In particular, when was the last time you saw these monopolies giving back? I mean really giving back. These handful of owners have practically got a license to print money. Yet ever try getting any out of them for a charitable cause? Good luck! Hannaford's on the other hand, they'll make a donation in a hearbeat!

I think the days of this backward townie/cronyism needs to end.

I think the Meat House should get a wine and beer license before Hannaford's does. The answer to "is it the governments job to protect liquor stores"
is no except in Chelmsford!

Nothing wrong with a little competition, price-wise! That's why Drum Hill doesn't want them to have a license; it would cut into their big profit margin! More venues selling wine/beer does not make more people drink, it just offers convenience (one-stop shopping) and keeps prices down due to competition. Seems pretty simple to me.

I have a problem with Mr. Kurland's statement as well. As far as policing, grocery stores sell cigarettes now and require proof of age. I see this as no different. The many comments above above mutiple storess of other types is relevant. Drug stores open up across the street from each other and in the case of CVS have two locations with a mile of each other. I am not sure what the reasons are to prohibit it, but the fact that there is another location that sells the same thing makes no sense.

There is too much driving under the influence, DUI's, happening already. Drinking seems to be more dangerous than drugs. Let's not make it easier for people to drink. There are enough places already that sell beer and wine. And I have been to Hannaford's in New Hampshire. Their prices aren't that good.

I now live in South Carolina. All of the food stores sell beer and wine, including Super Walmart. Regardless the liquor stores and restaurants have thriving sales. People grab a bottle of wine or a pack/case of beer when picking up their groceries. Their are liquor and grocery stores in the same shopping centers. In Georgia, they have drive through liquor stores .... next to the drive through drug stores. BTW the grocery stores all have pharmacies in them .... some offering free antibiotics! This exists in the same shopping centers containing Walgreens and CVS. It is all about free enterprise ..... Competition ..... providing full service ...... delivering consumer convenience.
People buy their things Wherever it s convenient.
Using licenses to control abusive behavior is the wrong logic .... Prohibition has been repealed.to the point made by others, no other such control has been exercised on any other controlled or uncontrolled substance .... The logic given by the chair, is not applied to restaurants. I thought the denial of Meat House was definitely prejudice based. The folks operating that business were classy in the way they handled the rejection and are a great addition to he town .... very supportive .... I also must say Harrington's as also been more tan supportive of charities/benevolent activities in Town.

As you drive around the US you can buy beer and wine in supermarkets in almost every state along with CVS and other pharmicies. It is a convenience. In some states they have drive through liquor stores. It is not the business of government to protect existing purveyours of booze and as far as making liquor more available to underage drinkers 2 things. One they can police it and two, no kid in the history of Chelmsford has ever had any trouble getting a beer. I know, I raised 3.

Hannaford should be able to sell liquor. On the issue of competitiveness, I've seen them price wine at 3 bottles for $10. They are good corporate citizens too and they treat their workers well (better than MB, Walmart, and some others). It is a waste of a person's productivity for someone to cross the street to a liquor store just to buy what they want as far as that goes and they will do it if they want some.

Also, if anything, Hannaford and other corporate stores are stricter about IDing than mom and pop liquor stores. I used to work at the one in Dracut (which has been selling alcohol for years) and people would be angry if we rightfully deny a borderline person who "forgot" their ID.

In my opinion, the selectmen should allow Hannafords, the Meat House, and other business to sell beer and wine. It would make it extremely convenient for consumers to do one stop shopping and buy the groceries (or that special meal) and the wine/beer which may make that special meal/meals even more special. It is not very convenient now (specially during snowy, wintry days) to stop at the grocery store and then take another trip to the liquor store. Let's think of the consumer and the consumer's wants and needs. They(we) are the important ones.

Reminds me of those old sacred blue laws. They seem really silly now.

Time to give us the choice, grocery store prices will be cheaper. Time to rain on Harrington's parade. We all know he is why they won't give The Meat House the right to sell wine. How unfair!

I think there should be toll booths on Route 3 that sell beer and wine.

if they allow Hannaford a license which is fine with me, then the Meat House
should get one also !

Why does there have to be a "public need" for Hannaford to sell beer & wine? Maybe a better question is why is there a public need to grant a de factor monopoly to liquor stores?