Correction Notice: Selectmen’s One-Day Liquor License Approval

Board Considers Vendor Regulations

Last month, the Rehoboth Board of Selectmen voted to approve one day liquor licenses for several organizations, including Holy Ghost Brotherhood of Charity, Rumford Hunting and Fishing Club, Inc., and Rehoboth People Have a Heart.

The groups intended to hold separate events in September and October.

“Until we have a clarification on what’s acceptable and what isn’t, I would hold off on beer and wine and things of that nature,” said Chairman Skip Vadnais. “I think we’re being more than accommodating by allowing vendors to be there with all the questions that we’ve had.”

“We need to get a hold of which direction we’re going to go in,” said Selectman Lenny Mills. “I’m not comfortable without further investigation into it.”

Vadnais noted the first proposed event scheduled for this weekend, an apple festival featuring children’s attractions, had not been presented until the “last minute.”

“It’s kind of short notice to not have those kinds of guidelines in effect,” noted Selectman Dave Pereira.

“At what point does the Police Department make a determination that perhaps an officer should be there,” Vadnais said. “I don’t know. We have not had an opportunity to discuss that with the Chief. The last time they had an event there, I guess it was pretty difficult to get down the street. It was a parking situation. Everybody’s making things up as they go along. I’ve been pushed as far as I’m going to be pushed. Our first responsibility is the safety of the public.”

The board is looking into new regulations for vendors on private property. Any business which wants to sell their products and services is required to have workman’s compensation as well as a certificate of insurance.

The owner of any venue which hosts big events also needs to provide proof of liability insurance “to name the town specifically,” said Vadnais at the Board’s August 25 meeting.