Edgartown selectmen rejected a request from Bad Martha’s to extend hours for the Upper Main Street brewery and tasting room after a short public hearing during their regular Monday meeting.
Bad Martha’s general manager James Carleton said the establishment, which is currently licensed to serve beer until 9 p.m., would like more flexibility with hours.
“What we’re requesting is to stay open and serve potentially until 12 a.m.,” Mr. Carleton told selectmen. “Not that we would use it every day, but it would give us flexibility. I don’t think it’s going to turn into a huge late night destination.”
Mr. Carleton found no support among selectmen Art Smadbeck and Margaret Serpa. Chairman Michael Donaroma recused himself from the hearing and the vote because the business is located on his property, and he is the landlord.
“This was presented and licensed based on a presentation that this was a brewery, and this was not going to be a bar,” Mr. Smadbeck said. “What we might entertain is a reduction of hours. There would be no possible way it could be open longer hours. It was never presented as a bar and it never would have gotten licensed as a bar.”
Mr. Smadbeck asked Mr. Carleton to withdraw the application, which he did. However, after the hearing was closed, Mr. Smadbeck and Ms. Serpa voted to deny the application.
Mr. Smadbeck said town officials have recently received complaints about Bad Martha’s on a different issue.
“There have also been reported problems with containment, people wandering around with open containers of alcohol,” Mr. Smadbeck said. “You really need to address some of the physical limitations and drawbacks, and correct them. What’s going on there could be dangerous.”
Mr. Carleton said he is addressing that issue.
Selectmen also voted to send warning letters to two other establishments concerning alcohol license violations.
Vintage MV Wine & Spirits at 29 Winter street will get a letter for staging a wine tasting outside its premises, and also for supplying alcohol for a May 23 opening reception at the Eisenhauer Gallery, at 38 North Water street. Both are violations of alcohol laws, according to Karen Fuller, who handles the licensing application process for Edgartown.
Selectmen also voted to a send a warning letter to the Eisenhauer Gallery for serving alcohol at the opening without securing a one-day alcohol license.
In other business, selectman granted a commercial marine license to Kurt Peterson, who will begin offering harbor sailing excursions aboard a traditional 24-foot catboat. Harbormaster Charlie Blair sent a letter of support for the application.
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