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A public information session about the New Concord local liquor option initiative opened the October New Concord Village Council meeting.

The option includes five questions on the Nov. 8 New Concord ballot, #18, 19, 20, 21 & 22.

Questions 18 and 19 are asking for permits for Sunday sales, including current retailers. Questions 20 and 21 are asking for permit sales for on-premises consumption of wine, mixed drinks, and liquor. Question 22 is asking for permit sales of beer for on-premises consumption.

During the public information session led by Mayor Jennifer Lyle on Oct. 17 at Village Hall, she asked for support of the initiative to answer “yes” to the series of five questions. “Vote yes for all five and help New Concord thrive,” said Lyle.

Lyle said there are many people who would like to have additional restaurants in town. Lyle said Village Council and administrators are looking to reduce barriers that might prevent a desirable business, like a restaurant, from coming to New Concord.

The objective of the initiative is to have on-premises alcohol consumption within village limits in business districts B1, B2, and B3, which includes New Concord’s Main Street and State Route 83 South.

“We’re asking to support economic development in New Concord and encourage additional restaurant options,” said Lyle.

Lyle said the only way to make this possible is through a ballot initiative. A previous ballot initiative is how the current carryout option for liquor was permitted in 2011.

Petitions were signed over the summer by around 300 registered voters in New Concord. The petitions asked for signatures, meaning it was a good idea for the initiative to be on the November ballot. The minimum number of signatures required was 227.

The liquor option petition is sponsored by the New Concord elected officials, which includes Mayor Lyle and the six members of Village Council. Lyle said the elected officials consulted with the Board of Elections and a leading expert in the field, an attorney recommended to them. The attorney fees were covered by an anonymous donor.

Lyle thanked residents who signed the petition this summer. She answered questions from residents in attendance at the session.

Lyle said a brochure with the liquor ballot information will be distributed to registered voters in the village closer to the election date.

“We [on behalf of council] want to make sure that our voters know exactly what it is that is coming to them. We don’t want any surprises,” said Lyle.

Information detailing Lyle’s comments distributed at the council meeting is linked on the village’s website.

Listen to the rebroadcast of the full Village Council meeting – including the public information session – Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at noon and 10 p.m. on WMCO 90.7. The meeting will run on radio until the next council meeting in November. WMCO airs monthly council meetings live on 90.7 and online.

Ohio poll locations are open on Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.