Bidding starts at $500K for Mansfield liquor license

By: Stephanie Prokop
   MANSFIELD—A $500,000 packaged-goods liquor license soon is going to be available for bid, a first for the 8,500-resident township.
   The license could be purchased by either a retailer or a supermarket, according to township officials.
   "About four months ago, the owner of a soon-to-be constructed supermarket near the Homestead subdivision had publicly inquired about one," said Township Administrator Joseph Broski.
   "This led the committee to start conceptualizing whether they wanted the community to pursue one," he added.
   The price was quoted after the township looked at comparable prices from other municipalities around the area.
   The township owns three bar licenses, which are the kind that would be available at either a restaurant or a brew pub.
   State law states a municipality can have one consumption license for every 3,000 residents, while packaged goods licenses are available for one to every 7,500 residents.
   Even though the bidding hasn’t yet begun, township officials briefly discussed the process at the July 25 meeting, in which Mayor Arthur Puglia noted that he believes someone will be interested in the license.
   The next immediate step, according to Mr. Broski, includes paperwork being drawn up by the township solicitor, and the bidding will be conducted by sealed bids.
   The issue is estimated to come up at the Aug. 22 Township Committee meeting.
   Some of the committee members voiced their reservations, citing that other municipalities have had trouble selling their liquor licenses, but Mayor Puglia reiterated that he believes someone will be interested.