Chapter 118: Alcoholic Beverages

[Adopted as Title 4, Ch. 2, of the General Bylaws]

[Amended 5-8-2021 ATM by Art. 17]

Whoever shall, within the limits of any public way located within the Town, whether that public way be a Town way, county highway, state highway, or a private way open to the public, consume intoxicating beverages shall be punished by a fine of $50. This section shall also be construed so as to prohibit the following: the consumption of intoxicating beverages by any person while such person is standing, sitting, walking, running, or otherwise present within such way or is within any vehicle, whether parked or moving, which is within the limits of such public way.

§ 118-2 Consumption in public buildings or on public property, private way or parking area.

[Amended 5-8-2021 ATM by Art. 17]

Whoever shall consume any intoxicating beverages in any public building, or on any public property, including parks, cemeteries, schoolhouses and school grounds, and public squares, or in any private way or parking area regulated under the provisions of MGL c. 90, § 18, shall be punished by a fine of $50.

§ 118-3 Exception for licensed activity.

[Amended 11-7-2023 STM by Art. 16]

The foregoing §§ 118-1 and 118-2 shall not apply to any activity duly licensed by the Select Board under the applicable provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws.

§ 118-4 Enforcement.

[Amended 5-8-2021 ATM by Art. 17]

Any person found to be in possession of any open container containing an intoxicating beverage in or on the properties described in §§ 118-1 and 118-2 shall be deemed to be in violation of this bylaw. It shall be the duty of any police officer of the Town to arrest any person who violates the provisions of § 118-1 or 118-2 and to cause such person to be brought before a Justice of the Third District Court of Worcester County upon a complaint for violation thereof.