Senate approves Topsfield home rule petitions
Press Release - August 5, 2003

Senate Majority Leader Frederick E. Berry (D-Peabody) announced today that the Massachusetts Senate has passed three home rule petitions adopted by the Town of Topsfield. All three bills will be sent to Governor Mitt Romney for his signature once they receive final approval from the House of Representatives and the Senate. “I am happy the Senate has acted favorably on these bills,” said Berry. He continued, “Final approval should be just a formality and then the ball is in Governor Romney’s court.”

The three bills approved today by the Senate grant the Topsfield Licensing Board the authority to grant wine and beer licenses in the following manner:

Special one day, or per diem, licenses for non-profit fundraising events.
A license for a restaurant to sell beer or wine on the premises.
A license for a market or convenience store to sell beer or wine not to be drunk on the premises.

The home rule petitions are the first bills passed for Topsfield by the Senate since Senator Berry began representing the town in January. They were filed by Berry and Representative Ted Speliotis at the beginning of this year’s legislative session.

“As home rule petitions, the bills are of significant importance to Topsfield. The Senate has acted in a timely manner. I hope the Governor will do the same,” concluded Berry.”