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 the provisions of sections 11 and 17 of chapter 138 of the General Laws, the town of Winchester may grant to five restaurants with seating capacities of 24 or more licenses for the sale of wines and malt beverages to be drunk on the premises. Such licenses shall be subject to all the provisions of said chapter 138, except said sections 11 and 17.

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 11 of chapter 138 of the General Laws, this act shall be submitted to the voters of the town of Winchester at the next annual town meeting to be held in March, 2000 or at a special town meeting held prior thereto in the form of the following question which shall be placed on the official ballot used at such election, "Shall an act passed by the general court in the year 2000 entitled, 'An Act authorizing the town of Winchester to grant five additional licenses for the sale of wines and malt beverages to be drunk on the premises', be accepted?" If a majority of the votes cast in answer to said question is in the affirmative, this act shall therefore take full effect in the town of Winchester, but not otherwise.

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