By Ken Valenti
WESTPORT–Golfers stopping at Cliff’s Place, the halfway house concession stand near Longshore Golf Course’s 10th tee, would be able to crack a beer, hard seltzer or other alcoholic beverage this summer under a proposal that the town Parks and Recreation Commission approved last night.
Parks and Recreation Director Erick Barbieri recommended the change to offer players the same convenience available at golf courses elsewhere, he said.
“Across this globe, golf courses have an alcohol option most of the time,” he said at the commission’s meeting in Town Hall. “So I don’t think we’re asking for anything that’s egregious. It’s part of what golf courses offer.”
The next concessionaire may also want to add more service for those finishing the course, Barbieri said.
“They might want to put a grill outside in the back of the pro shop and sell burgers and dogs and have someone be able to buy a beer,” he said. “That’s pretty standard in the golfing world; people get together after their round and hang out a little bit.”
The operator would sell canned beverages; glass is prohibited in town parks for safety reasons.
The commission voted 3-0 in favor of the idea, which now must be approved by the Board of Selectman. The lease eventually drawn up with the vendor will have to be approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Resident Toni Simonetti opposed the idea, arguing that the town should not get “into the business of selling alcohol,” even if it technically would be sold by the concessionaire running the establishment that sells it.
“There’s no lack of drinking establishments in Westport,” she said. “I mean, you can get a drink almost anywhere.”
After Simonetti raised a question about beverages containing THC, the proposal was amended to specify that such drinks would be prohibited.
RTM member Andrew Colabella, D-4, supported the idea. While he doesn’t drink alcohol or play golf, he reasoned that prohibiting drinks “pushes the alcohol off-site where there’s no oversight. Regulated on-site sales allow staff to monitor behavior and intervene when needed.”
At the moment, the stand and two others – at Compo Beach Pavilion and Longshore Pavilion – have no concessionaire. The Board of Selectmen voted Jan. 9 to a $275,000 buyout of the remainder of a contract with the previous vendor, Hook’d by the Sound, in response to complaints about the service.
Barbieri said he is finishing a request for proposals seeking vendors interested in the opportunity and it expects to distribute it in a week to 10 days. He said the provision to allow alcohol sales could lead to more lucrative offers from the interested food services.
Cliff’s Place was named in tribute to Westporter and avid Longshore fan Cliff Ross.
Ken Valenti
A career journalist and lifelong resident of the New York City region, Ken Valenti has enjoyed decades of reporting local, regional and national news in New York and Connecticut. Topics of special interest are development, the environment, Long Island Sound and transportation. When not reporting, he’s always on the lookout for the perfect coffee shop or used book sale.
IMHO Andrew’s reasoning is exactly why alcohol should not be sold on the golf course.
Oof.
There were a couple of ill conceived ideas raised by proponents. The onsite liquor store was ultimately approved by only three Commissioners (the commission has two vacant seats right now).
Commissioner Gerry Grove asked if there have been “any incidents” on the golf course due to alcohol consumption. Barbieri (who has been in town one year) and P &R staff replied “no.” The problem with that question and answer is that no alcohol has been legally served on the golf course in its very long and happy history. Lack of alcohol sales have never slowed down the sold-out tee times for decades. As far as incidents go, what incidents were expected to happen with no alcohol sales?
Second, RTM Rep Andrew Colabella said it was better for golfers to consume alcohol onsite under the watchful eye of the town staff. Huh? Barbieri said town staff “would not be the Gestapo” and monitor or enforce consumption and behavior. And where is the offsite drinking problem to which he refers? Legal bars and restaurants, of which there are plenty? With onsite liquor sales, no one will enforce the consumption at tennis courts, swimming pool, playgrounds, pickleball and sailing club locations at Longshore. Staff stationed at those locations are not going to inspect beach bags and duffle bags.
Another proponent said reckless golf cart drivers shouldn’t be a concern to those walking, biking or jogging through the golf course because you shouldn’t be walking, biking or jogging through an “active golf course.” Again, huh?! Many Westport residents treasure Longshore for the gorgeous grounds and using the grounds is NOT prohibited. Are these activities to be prohibited now?
There are special event golf tournaments that take place at Longshore in which alcohol is served by the sponsoring organization such as the VFW. Barbieri objected to the liability created by these alcohol sales and said legal onsite sales would be better. It is not clear who buys the insurance for these special events, if anyone. Typically, an organization must produce an insurance certificate that covers alcohol sales before being allowed to stage such events. I tried to ask this question.
The Police Department did not file a report on its view for the new P&R policy. I would like to hear from the Police Department on this issue.
The amount of trash in the golf course was discussed. Barbieri said trash is already at capacity, but he did not address how additional trash from alcohol sales would be handled. Presumably more staff?
Barbieri himself will also adjudicate what type of beverages can be sold by the concessionaire. Straight liquor nips? Canned mixed drinks? The highly popular THC beverages? He will be the decider.
Finally, what is the current insurance premium for Longshore, and what will it be if alcohol sales are approved at Longshore? There was no discussion of this.
The RFP for a new concessionaire for Longshore and other sites is about to be let. It is expected to include this allowance for liquor sales.
It is beyond my comprehension how three appointed residents of a Commission can make this consequential rule change in one sitting.
Keep in mind this is the same P&R Commission and town Department that declared gardeners with shovels and rakes were a danger to children at Long Lots School. Apparently intoxicated golf cart crews and other patrons of the new pack-and-go bar are not a risk to the children and others who enjoy the Longshore facilities.
Also keep in mind the town has repeatedly denied a request by Bluepoint Wellness for the sale of recreational cannabis, including beverages. This is an extremely compliant and well-run medical marijuana dispensary in Westport with more governing regulations than you can shake a stick at. Let’s see how they are treated when they come before PZC for permission to change locations next week.