Otis liquor license petition lands on Gov. Baker’s desk
Boston — On Tuesday, Sen. Adam G. Hinds, D-Pittsfield, and Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox, jointly announced that H.4622, “An Act relative to the sale of alcoholic beverages in the town of Otis,” has received the final approval of both the state House of Representatives and Senate, and is now on Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk.
The legislation, a home rule petition filed by Hinds and Pignatelli at the request of the town, is based on an article passed during a Feb. 20 special town meeting. H.4622 authorizes the town to grant a full liquor license to Papa’s Healthy Food and Fuel on Route 23 in East Otis.
“It’s a pleasure to support the expansion and future success of a small business like Papa’s Healthy Food and Fuel,” said Hinds. “When a community rallies around a local business like Otis has here, it’s easy to convince your colleagues statewide that a local bill should be given priority and passed.”
“Otis has a residential population of around 1,600 people, that expands to anywhere between eight and 10,000 visitors and tourists during the summer months. Papa’s Healthy Food and Fuel has a prime location near the Otis Reservoir and this additional liquor license will bring a significant boost to the area’s overall economy. I’m glad my colleagues in the Legislature saw fit to extend this opportunity to the town of Otis and the Southern Berkshires,” said Pignatelli.
Papa’s Healthy Food & Fuel regularly stocks organic groceries such as coffee, tea, pasta, soup, sugar, cereal, chocolate, health products and pet food. In correspondence to Hinds and Pignatelli, dated Feb. 26, the Otis Board of Selectmen referred to the possibility of Papa’s having a license to sell all alcoholic beverages as “exciting.” The board further noted that “the owners of Papa’s Healthy Food and Fuel have demonstrated a tremendous commitment to the area and this will further enable this small business to remain an active part of the Otis community.”
H.4622 was filed April 23 by the Otis legislative delegation and reviewed by the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure during a May 8 hearing. It was engrossed July 18 by the House and July 23 by the Senate (engrossment indicates the preliminary approval of the chamber). The final step of the legislative process, enactment, took place Tuesday in both the House and Senate. The bill is now on the desk of Baker, who has 10 days to review and act on it.
