Frequently Asked Questions

One-Day Beer & Wine licenses are obtained online via OpenGov. Licenses must be applied for AT LEAST two weeks before the date of your event.  Applications submitted less than that will not be reviewed by the Selectboard. One you’ve completed an online application, the town receives a notification and submits your application to be reviewed by the Selectboard.

As the local licensing authority, the Selectboard must approve the license. This occurs during Selectboard meetings. The Selectboard meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, unless otherwise noted.

You will be notified through OpenGov of your application’s approval status following the Selectboard meeting at which it was reviewed. If approved, your license is available to print via OpenGov.

Please note: An organization is allowed no more than 30 One-Day Beer & Wine licenses per calendar year.

The South Hadley Selectboard hereby establishes the following rules and regulations for any establishment serving alcoholic beverages in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 138.

The Town of South Hadley has three "General on Premise" Beer & Wine licenses available, as of Jan. 26, 2022.  See more info, here: https://www.southhadley.org/922/Permits-Licenses

New and transferred licenses for alcoholic beverages, as well as changes to management or the business, require the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) application, a public hearing with the South Hadley Selectboard, and a newspaper advertisement and abutter notification alerting the public to the Selectboard hearing. Both of these notifications must be published and mailed at least 10 days prior to the hearing. The Selectboard will hold a hearing on the application, and if accepted the application will be sent to the ABCC for final approval. Applications are available only at the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/alcoholic-beverages-control-commission. We highly suggest you consult with legal counsel during the application process. Our office cannot assist in filling out the ABCC application or answering specific questions.

To schedule a public hearing with the Selectboard, first  fill out an ABCC application, and email kmaher@southhadleyma.gov with your hearing request.  After a hearing date is confirmed, it is the applicant’s responsibility to put a legal advertisement in a local newspaper and to notify the abutters of the hearing.  Please contact the Assessors’ Office for an official abutters list. The completed application must be submitted to the Selectboard Office at least two weeks prior to the hearing.  The ABCC will only accept typed applications.  

To schedule a hearing or for additional information, please email kmaher@southhadleyma.gov