Limits set for ‘BYOB’ restaurants

Northborough has introduced a policy for regulating restaurants that do not have liquor licenses but allow patrons to bring wine or beer into the establishment.

Town Administrator John Coderre described the policy as a preemptive measure at a time when the town has just two remaining liquor licenses to award.

“As you start to reach your quota, the issue of BYOB [bring your own bottle] comes up,” Coderre said. “Many people don’t realize that BYOB is allowed, unless you prohibit it.”

Conventional liquor licenses are preferable, Coderre said, not only because of the licensing revenue but also with regard to public safety issues.

State law leaves it up to cities and towns to regulate or prohibit BYOB establishments, which means that bringing wine or malt beverages is permissible in the absence of local laws to the contrary.

“If you have BYOBs and you’re not regulating it, you have no idea who is doing it,” Coderre said.

Northborough’s policy, approved by selectmen on Dec. 17, requires that BYOB restaurants obtain carry-in permits from the town. The policy states its intent: to ensure that such establishments, which “do not operate under the rules and regulations of the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, will be subject to the same level of responsibility.”

In Mansfield, where a restaurant is seeking to allow patrons to bring in beer or wine, selectmen proposed two BYOB-related bylaws for Town Meeting in April.

The first proposed bylaw would prohibit restaurants from allowing patrons to bring in their own alcoholic beverages. The second proposal – designed to take effect should the first bylaw be defeated – would regulate the practice.

The second proposed bylaw is based on the policy approved in Northborough, according to Mansfield Town Manager William Ross.