[HISTORY: Adopted by the Annual Town Meeting of the Town of North Reading 10_9_1973 by Art. 15, approved 11_12_1973, as amended 10_1_1979 ATM by Art. 6, approved 1_14_1980, and 10_23_1980 ATM by Art. 20, approved 2_18_1981. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
~ 14_1. Consumption on public property; possession of open containers.
No person shall drink from or be in possession of an unsealed or open container of alcoholic beverage or offer alcoholic beverage to the public as defined in Chapter 138, Section 1 of the Massachusetts General Laws while on, in, or upon any public way or public building or upon any way or building to which the public has a right of access or in any place, way, or building to which members of the public have access as invitees or licensees or in any park or playground or school grounds or on private land. All alcoholic beverages being used in violation of this Town by_law shall be seized and safely held for trial before the Court, at which time they shall be returned to the person entitled to lawful possession. Whoever violates this Town bylaw shall be subject to a fine of fifty ($50) dollars for each offense.
~ 14_2. Applicability.
Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, this bylaw shall not apply to any premises or land as to which a current and effective license for the consumption and/or service of alcohol has been issued by the licensing authority under General Laws Chapter 138. In addition, the foregoing bylaw shall not apply to the consumption and/or service of alcoholic beverages in private residences or upon private land to which the public does not have a right of access.
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