By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Despite a recent change that loosened restrictions at the state level, Union Grove officials will likely maintain a status-quo approach when it comes to regulating when retailers can sell alcoholic beverages within the village.
Wisconsin lawmakers late last year approved Act 97, which shortens the restriction of alcoholic sales within retail establishments, including grocery stores, gas stations and drug stores.
Act 97 states the restriction on when alcohol can begin being sold has been changed from 8 a.m. to 6 a.m. Retail establishments need to cease selling alcohol by 9 p.m. each day.
Act 97 does give municipalities the individual authority to determine when alcohol can be sold at retail establishments, so long as ordinances do not fall outside the 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. time frame.
Union Grove has historically allowed retailers to start selling alcohol at 9 a.m. – later than the previous state restrictions allow. One local retailer, Piggly Wiggly, had requested that the village change its ordinance in light of Act 97.
In January, members of the Administration Committee hashed over the request and ultimately decided to forward it on to the Police Commission for further deliberation and recommendation.
The Police Commission met last month and recommended the ordinance should remain as it is, with the caveat the issue can be revisited in the future as situations change.
The Administration Committee again took up the issue Tuesday night, and the three Village Board members serving on the appointed body again agreed the ordinance should remain in its current form.
“I’m completely against any changes,” said Trustee Tim Mallach, who serves on both the Administration Committee and Police Commission. “I don’t think we have to replace (the existing ordinance). We don’t need any more hours.”
Before making their recommendation to the full board, which will make a final determination, members of the Administration Committee discussed what some surrounding communities have been doing in the aftermath of Act 97.
The Village of Caledonia has changed its hours, but the City of Racine has maintained a status-quo approach.
Act 97 addresses the sale of intoxicating liquors and fermented malt beverages. The list includes beer, wine and liquor. Municipalities grant retail and restaurants alcoholic beverage licenses through two classifications: Class “A” and Class “B.”
For retail establishments, Class “A” licenses are necessary to sell alcoholic beverages. Separate licenses are needed for fermented malt beverages, or beer, and liquor sales, including wine. Class “B” licenses address the sale beer and liquor at restaurants and bars.
Obtaining a permit to sell alcoholic beverages entails a process that includes a background check for each applicant.
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