Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any limitations imposed by section 11 of chapter 138 of the General Laws as to the time and manner of voting on the questions or section 17 relative to the number of such licenses authorized to be held or any other general or special law to the contrary, the board of selectmen of the town of Belmont shall cause to be placed on the official ballot used in said town of Belmont by the registered voters for the election of officers at the annual town meeting to be held in the year 1998 the following two questions:-

(a) "Shall the board of selectmen be authorized to grant licenses for the sale of beer and wine to be drunk on the premises in restaurants having at least 39 but not more than 125 seats; provided, that not more than eight such licenses shall be in effect?"

If a majority of the votes cast in answer to said question is in the affirmative, the town shall be taken to have authorized the sale in said town of beer and wine to be drunk on the premises in restaurants having at least 39 but not more than 125 seats; provided, that not more than eight such licenses shall be in effect. Such licenses shall be subject, however, to all other provisions of said chapter 138.

(b) "Shall the board of selectmen be authorized to grant licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in restaurants having at least 100 but not more than 125 seats; provided, that not more than eight restaurant alcohol licenses of any type shall be in effect?"

If a majority of the votes cast in answer to said question is in the affirmative, the town shall be taken to have authorized the sale in said town of all alcoholic beverages in restaurants having at least 100 but not more than 125 seats; provided, that not more than eight restaurant alcohol licenses of any type shall be in effect. Such licenses shall be subject, however, to all other provisions of said chapter 138.

SECTION 2. The board of selectmen of the town of Belmont is hereby authorized and directed to include a summary of the aforesaid question including a statement of its position on the ballot with said questions.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage.