Tisbury town officials will discuss the beer and wine proposal that goes to vote once again in April, at a public hearing on Tuesday, March 23 at 5 p.m. at Katharine Cornell Theatre. Voters split evenly on the issue in the first count of the 2008 ballot, with no votes deciding the question in a recount.

The new proposal, as previously reported in the Gazette, authorizes the selectmen to grant up to 19 licenses to restaurants seating 30 people or more to sell alcohol with meals. The unusual number reflects the fact there are 19 eligible establishments in town.

Selectman Tristan Israel is quoted in a release this week saying the selectmen “want to get out in front on this issue and make it clear that in no way do we anticipate receiving 19 applications nor do we expect to issue 19 licenses,” which he added was “a very high number for a town of our size and the town will not issue 19 licenses at the same time.”