ANDOVER – At a special election in June, residents will decide whether they want to give the state of Maine the power to allow alcohol to be served in town restaurants.
It is currently illegal for a restaurant in Andover to serve alcohol.
Maine law mandates that it is up to the voters of each town to give the State Liquor Commission licensing authority, according to Andover Selectman Trudy Akers.
The last time the issue of the state’s liquor-licensing authority came before voters, nearly 20 years ago, they rejected it, Akers said.
This year the owners of the Snow Valley Family Diner, Kristin and Andrew Perham of Andover, have successfully petitioned the town for a new vote on the issue.
If voters approve articles 4 and 5 on June 14, the Perhams would be free to seek a liquor license for selling alcohol.
Article 4 pertains to the granting of a liquor license on every day of the week except Sunday; Article 5 to authorizing the State Liquor Commission to license Andover restaurants to sell alcohol on Sundays.
Akers said a public hearing on May 24 dealing with all six articles to be voted on in June drew a particularly large crowd, but it was articles 4 and 5 that generated the liveliest discussion.
“People seem to feel quite definite about (the licensing issue) one way or another,” she said.
Voting on articles 4 and 5 coincides with voting on the school budget on June 14 in the town hall from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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