I think some kind of ratio to the population might be reasonable, both for a maximum, and some kind of minimum which would invoke a right to challenge a decision by putting it to a general vote. In other words, if a town's management was anti-liquor, and didn't grant enough licenses compared to state averages, the residents could force more to be granted up to some level.

I believe that Chelmsford has 7 licenses that have never been awarded. Why? Is this a restraint of trade or influence from powerful interests in town. Prohibition was repealed, let's act like a business friendly town and stop being obstructionists.

I agree, Tom.

Furthermore, allowing a business with a liquor license to have a say in whether other businesses also have a license is absolutely ridiculous. I will not shop at Drum Hill Liquors any longer, and furthermore, will take my business to New Hampshire where prices are better, anyway.

The current 7 licenses is an arbitrary restraint on free trade and suggests special interests decide most issues in Chelmsford. The police chief will always oppose more stores for obvious reasons and is a poor reason for the selectman to hide behind. The current decision to exclude more licenses is wrong and arrogant on the part of the anti-business board of selectman.

Can't wait for Question 3 to pass and someone try to build a Pot Shop in town :)

Good to see that the board of selectmen used common sense, as well as the law in denying the license. Quota should not be a factor.

Chelmsford has been awarded a certain number of full and partial licenses by the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) based on the number of residents in the town. It is then up to the town to allocate those licenses within the town. Historically, the partial licenses have never been issued by Chelmsford. I hope this clears up some of the controversy.

No. Why should government at any level tell a private business what they can or can't sell? Why should any government "protect" one business (package stores) while making rules that do harm to other kinds of stores (grocers etc). That's what this is really about. Last time I checked NH let supermarkets like Hannaford sell beer and they also still have package stores. This is all about politics.

Once again the Board of Selectmen step on the throats of small business in town. Voting it down to protect Drum Hill Liquor is just like the vote to deny the Meat House to protect Harringtons. My future purchased will be in Nashua where you can buy beer and wine where you shop for food - Costco,MB,Shaws.... Free market is a wonderful thing!

I will never shop at Drum Hill Liquors again and urge the public not to shop there either. It's run by a dead beat family who claim to be republicans but only follow those standards and values when it suits their needs. They have all the money in the world but are low class and sad people.