Arlington Select Board Votes to Place Liquor License Expansion on March Ballot

ARLINGTON — February 20, 2026 — Arlington Select Board puts two-license alcohol expansion on the March 28 ballot. The board voted 3-0 Friday in a remote special meeting to approve ballot language asking voters whether the Select Board shall be authorized to issue two additional all-alcohol package store licenses — moving the town's current total from five to seven. Town Manager Jim Feeney said all five existing licenses are already issued, leaving no room for new applicants; the expansion is intended as "a tool for economic development" and follows at least one inquiry from a prospective wine and cheese shop owner. The vote came one day after Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll signed the enabling Home Rule legislation, House 4815, at 3:23 p.m. on February 19 — just in time for the board to meet the state's 35-day notice requirement ahead of the election.