By Annette Newcomb~Editor
Sale hours won’t change but penalties will. That’s what the Twin Lakes Village Board decided Monday night when it discussed an amendment to the village’s Class A liquor/beverage license.
The issue came to the surface after Twin Lakes Police Chief Dale Racer said numerous complaints were made to the police department and to the state’s Department of Revenue regarding liquor violations at area gas stations over several years. Racer said the complaints were followed up by a recent investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue agents at a Twin Lakes gas station.
The amendment was suggested as a means to establish a unified schedule so the sale of all alcohol ceases at the same time at grocery stores and convenience stores that carry a Class A license. Currently the ordinance allows for the sale of hard liquor until 9 p.m. and the sale of beer until midnight.
The proposed amendment would not have impacted taverns that are Class B licensed premises.
Class A premises have to lock up and make sure hard liquor is not in the public’s presence at 9 p.m. if the business is open and operational longer than 9 p.m.,
Last week Racer said he did a survey of municipalities in Racine, Kenosha and Milwaukee counties and the majority do not allow Class A licensed premises to sell any type of liquor or beer between the hours of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Twin Lakes taverns are considered a Class B licensed premise and can sell packaged beverages until midnight.
The State’s Liquor Law, Chapter 125 suggests, for Class A licensed premises, no liquor sales between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. and no beer sales between midnight and 6 a.m., which is what the Village is currently following.
The Twin Lakes Village Board will discuss amending hiking penalties for those who violate local and state liquor sale laws.
Discussion is expected to take place at a future meeting. The Committee of the Whole will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, in the Twin Lakes Village Hall.
Other upcoming meetings include: Monday, Oct. 28 from 7 to 8 p.m. budget workshop; Tuesday, Oct. 29, Park Commission; Thursday, Oct. 31, Halloween, 4 to 7 p.m. Trick or Treat hours; Friday, Nov. 1, village assessor, available by appointment only at (262)-925-6706.
Residents are reminded village hall will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28 and 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday.