Selectmen approve new and renewed liquor licenses

By Stuart Hedstrom
Staff Writer

BROWNVILLE — One establishment is new to town and the other has been operating for close to a decade, and both businesses were given approval for liquor licenses by the selectmen during a Nov. 18 meeting.

The Red Moose opened its doors last month in the former Smith’s Grocery & Lunch location on the Main Road. Owner Steve Johnson told town officials he would like to offer alcoholic beverages at the family-style restaurant, but multiple drinks would only be served if patrons also order a full meal.

The liquor license for the restaurant at Wildwoods Wildwoods Trailside Cabins & Lodge near Schoodic Lake was renewed for another year.

In other business, the selectmen met with Fire Chief David Preble. Preble, who also serves as the chief in Milo, said a Milo ladder truck has a blown motor and is currently off the road. He said without this vehicle in service, firefighters in the two communities could have difficulty in battling chimney fires at structures with steel roofs as the snow and ice create slippery walking conditions. He said ladders that are not tied off do not stay in place, creating another potential hazard.

“What we need is a lot more men, if there is any,” Preble said, about a shortage of firefighters that many departments across the state are facing.

“The public safety personnel problem isn’t just fire departments,” Police Chief Nick Clukey said, saying that one of the part-timers for Brownville has stepped down due to commitments in his job. Clukey said that there is no candidate to fill the vacancy.

“It’s a scramble every month to fill our shifts,” Clukey said. He mentioned that himself and the other officers are also sworn in at additional regional police departments to help provide coverage, and vice-versa, and all of these law enforcement agencies are coping with a staff shortage — especially with reserve officers.

Clukey said if this trend continues into the future then the area departments and town officials will need to determine ways to address the issue.