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 Lancaster shall cause to be placed on the official ballot used in said town by registered voters for the election of officers at the annual town meeting to be held in the year 2002 the following 2 questions:

(a) "Shall the board of selectmen be authorized to grant licenses for the sale of wines and malt beverages to be drunk on the premises in restaurants having not less than 50 and not more than 125 seats; provided, however, that not more than 2 such licenses shall be in effect?"

YES_______ NO_______

If the majority of the votes cast in answer to that question is in the affirmative, the town shall be taken to have authorized the sale in said town of wines and malt beverages to be drunk on the premises in restaurants having not less than 50 and not more than 125 seats; provided, that not more than 2 such licenses shall be in effect. The licenses shall be subject 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 not less than 100 and not more than 500 seats; provided, however, that not more than 4 such licenses shall be in effect?"

YES_______ NO_______

If the majority of the votes cast in answer to that question is in the affirmative, the town shall be taken to have authorized the sale in said town of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in restaurants having not less than 100 and not more than 500 seats; provided, that not more than 4 such licenses shall be in effect. The licenses shall be subject, however, to all other provisions of said chapter 138.

SECTION 2. The board of selectmen may direct the town counsel to draft a summary of the questions, which shall be placed on the ballot with the questions.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on December 10, 2001.