Alcohol Sales At Mount Hood, Park Spaces Clear Biggest Hurdle

MELROSE, MA — It took a couple of strokes over par to get into the hole, but the mayor's push to allow liquor sales in certain parks and open spaces passed by the skin of its teeth at Monday night's City Council meeting.

The 8-3 vote paved the way for Mount Hood to operate a booze-carrying beverage cart on the golf course — a point of great contention throughout the six weeks of discussion on the matter.

It also allows for vendors at the Farmers Market and events in other public park spaces to sell alcohol, though specific allowances must still be granted by the Park Commission.

The Council's decision came in the fourth discussion of the matter, drawing frustration from the public but something councilors said was a result of mulling over an important topic and trying to squeeze more information about it from Mayor Paul Brodeur's administration.

Councilors Robb Stewart, Maya Jamaleddine and John Tramontozzi voted against the order. One more vote in opposition would have scuttled it.

The councilors who appeared more on the fence in recent weeks seemed buoyed by their trust in the Park and Liquor commissions to perform their regulatory duties and heartened by the administration's commitment to prioritize the affected spaces for community betterment, not profit.

There was also widespread agreement to work with the administration, police and neighborhood stakeholders in addressing some of the concerns Mount Hood residents have about people drinking on the course — something that has always taken place, though to this point outside the rules.

Follow on Instagram for supplemental coverage on this and other local topics, and read previous stories below:

• Booze Rules Continue To Stymie Melrose Lawmakers
• Expanding Melrose Alcohol Sales Proving Difficult Task
• City's Evolving Attitude Toward Alcohol Draws Debate
• Mayor Makes Pitch To Loosen Melrose Liquor Rules

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi. Subscribe to Melrose Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook