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 sections 11A and 17 of chapter 138 of the General Laws, the board of selectmen of the town of Belmont shall cause to be placed on the official ballot to be used for the election of officers in the town of Belmont at the annual town meeting to be held in the year 2004 the following question:

"Shall the board of selectmen be authorized to grant licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages in restaurants having at least 130 and not more than 250 seats provided that not more than 3 such licenses shall be in effect?"

Yes ___________

No ____________

If the majority of the votes cast in town 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 to be drunk on the premises in restaurants having at least 130 and not more than 250 seats; provided, however, that not more than 3 such licenses shall be in effect. The licenses shall be subject to all the other provisions of said chapter 138 of the General Laws.

SECTION 2. The board of selectmen shall include a summary of the aforesaid question on the ballot with that question.

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