By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Northborough – In a four to one vote at their Feb. 11 meeting, Northborough selectmen approved an article to be included on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant that will allow restaurants and clubs that are already licensed to serve alcohol to begin serving at 10 a.m. on Sundays. Selectman Julianne Hirsch was the dissenting vote.
The request was made by Dudley Darling, general manager of Juniper Hill Golf Course in Northborough. The article would help golf club employees police those who bring their own alcohol onto the golf course in their golf bags.
“It will bring the town into parity with other towns in the state…Around here, the communities of Shrewsbury, Westborough and Southborough passed it eight years ago so we are little behind Southborough,” Darling explained. “It will allow not only us but other on-premise serving licensees to serve at 10 o’clock.”
Selectman Leslie Rutan asked whether Darling thought that this has had an effect on business because he can’t offer alcohol at 10 a.m. Currently, alcohol service on Sundays is not allowed before 12 p.m.
“It would supplement the business a little more, but not only our business but restaurants in the town being able to serve earlier,” he replied.
Town Administrator John Coderre further explained that, if passed, all other on-premise serving entities would still need to come before the board to petition to allow them to serve at 10 a.m. on Sundays. The board would review them case by case.