Golf Course Restaurant's Bid To Sell Beer, Wine Advances

SIMSBURY — - Beer and wine could soon be on Attilio's menu at Simsbury Farms now that the zoning commission has approved the restaurant's application for a partial liquor license.

Because Simsbury Farms Recreational Complex — home to tennis courts, a swimming pool, golf course, restaurant and other recreational amenities — belongs to the town, restaurant owner Attilio Ceneviva had to get the town's permission to apply for a state beer and wine permit for his seasonal restaurant.

About 50 people, mostly golfers, showed up at Monday's zoning meeting to participate in a public hearing concerning the application for a partial liquor license, which the zoning commission later approved in a 5-1 vote. Golfers and other Simsbury Farms patrons argued that the golf course is the only municipally-owned facility in the state with a restaurant that can't serve alcohol. Patrons can, however, bring their own.

Ceneviva said he is losing business to other golf courses that sell alcohol, adding that he'd help regulate consumption by having the right to sell it. "You could bring a 30-pack of beer," Ceneviva said of the BYOB policy. "But if someone was to buy beer, I don't think they'd buy 30 beers. And they couldn't."

Resident Harmon Poole said he used to run golf tournaments and never could get his golf group to go to Simsbury Farms "because the boys wanted to have a beer. And not on the course, but after we had played our best game."

Bob Duguay said the lack of a liquor permit is "really an intrusion of the quality of life. People just want to have a beer and help a local businessman."

The idea of selling alcohol at the restaurant has been much discussed in the past, with opponents arguing that public safety was a major issue. Because many children use the recreational facilities, town officials and residents have said the complex needed to safeguard kids in the parking lot and on the streets from drivers who would buy alcohol at the restaurant.

Simsbury Farms listened to town officials and built a one-way gravel road that patrons could use to leave the restaurant and not disturb children and families using other areas of the complex.

Paul Henault, who lives near Simsbury Farms and is chairman of the town's board of finance, said Simsbury was risking liability.

"By approving this application, we encourage consumption of alcoholic beverages and we will be brought into any suit," he said.

Zoning Chairman Austin Barney II voted against the application. "The risk to children is too great," he said.