Board of License Commissioners

The Framingham Home Rule Charter, Article V: Administrative Organization specifies:

There shall be a board of license commissioners which shall have the power to issue licenses for innholders or common victuallers, the powers of a licensing board appointed under General Laws chapter 138, section 4, and shall be the licensing authority for the purposes of General Laws chapters 138 and 140. The board shall have all powers with respect to other licenses for which the municipality has statutory and regulatory authority unless otherwise assigned to another municipal office or officer by general law.

Membership Responsibilities

The board of licensing commissioners may grant licenses relating to alcoholic beverages under General Laws chapter 138 and those licenses under General Laws chapter 140 which are not, by the provisions of said chapter, placed within the jurisdiction of another municipal officer or agency.
The board of license commissioners shall consist of five (5) residents appointed by the Mayor. Such appointed members shall serve for three (3) year terms. No person while a member of the board of license commissioners shall have any financial interest, direct or indirect, in the sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages in any form.

The City Clerk, the Inspector of Buildings, the Director of Public Health, the Fire Chief and the Police Chief (or persons performing similar duties under any other title) shall be advisory to the board of license commissioners. The mayor shall designate a chair, vice-chair, and clerk from among the members.

Member Skillset

To be eligible for the position of Commissioner, candidates are required to be residents of Framingham, registered voters, and able to pass a background check. No person while a member of the Board of License Commissioners shall have any financial interest, direct or indirect, in the sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages in any form within the City of Framingham.