Wakefield Allows Restaurants, Retailers To Use Public Ways

WAKEFIELD, MA — The Wakefield Town Council approved a plan to utilize designated public spaces for outdoor dining and amend liquor licenses for restaurants that want to serve alcohol at their outdoor spaces.

The Council also discussed allowing retailers to extend into sidewalk areas, provided accessibility and ADA compliance is maintained.

Councilors agreed to monitor and adjust the plan as necessary, with a goal of helping local businesses as they begin to reopen under the Governor’s Phase 2 guidelines. Restaurants will be contacted directly by the Town Administrator’s office with information.

Plan highlights:

• Certain areas of public way on Main St., Water St., North Ave., and Tuttle St. will be available for outdoor dining. Access the application.
  • Public-way outdoor spaces can be utilized from Thursdays at noon to Sundays at 10 p.m.
  • The Department of Public Works will set up all necessary barriers to ensure safety of the on-street spaces. Establishments will need to provide their own tables, chairs, and umbrellas (if desired).
  • There should be a 90-minute maximum per seating with a six-party limit per table. Contact logs should be maintained.
• A restaurant with a private parking or lawn area can utilize that space without Town approval.
  • However, if it holds a liquor license and intends to serve outside, the Town must amend its license to reflect the expanded footprint. View the license-amendment application.
• Retail establishments wishing to use sidewalk space should contact the Town Administrator’s office to coordinate.
• All establishments must adhere to the Governor’s reopening guidelines, including restaurant-specific and/or retail protocols, and maintain ADA accessibility.