Council directs administrator to seek an additional liquor‑store license; Hannaford identified as initial applicant

Council approved an order directing the city administrator to request an additional agency liquor‑store license from the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations. Councilor Chittum said he had spoken to the attorney who confirmed the initial applicant is Hannaford for a proposed store at 20 East Avenue in the old Sears Mall; council members noted that approval by the state bureau is not guaranteed and the local action simply opens the window for applicants.

The motion passed by roll-call vote 7–0. Councilors said the process is open and that any qualified applicant could apply to the state bureau once the city requests an additional license.