Southwick American Legion Post 338 Commander Russ Pike speaks to the Select Board Sept. 3, 2019. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
SOUTHWICK – The Select Board unanimously approved an alteration to the license at American Legion Post 338 following a public hearing Sept. 3.
The alteration allows the Legion to increase its outdoor serving area by 2,040 square-feet to 57,764 square-feet. Post Commander Russ Pike told board members this would allow the Legion to host horseshoe league play.
“Our VFW friends have closed their facility and the horseshoe club asked us to host that program,” said Pike. “In order to do so, we need to expand our serving area.”
Marcus Phelps, a member of the Southwick Planning Board, spoke during the hearing and said Pike had come before the Planning Board and their only real concern was with the fencing of the area. Phelps said he hoped there would be an actual fence, not just a barrier people could walk over.
Pike assured Phelps there would be a wood rail fence that would connect to an existing chain link fence. In addition to creating a perimeter around the serving area, Pike said the fencing would serve as a place to hang signs noting that no outside alcohol was allowed and that alcohol purchased at the American Legion must be consumed within the serving area.
“It will beautify it, too,” said Pike.
During the hearing, Southwick Economic Development Commissioner Michael McMahon asked about the Legion’s property tax-paying status. Selectman Joseph Deedy said they are a nonprofit organization and are exempt from property taxes.
Police Lt. Robert Landis said he spent considerable time with Pike and said what the Legion is proposing exceeds state requirements.
“What the state requires is much more minimal that what they’re doing,” said Landis. “Their standard is more or less a boundary – it can be a rope or a chain or a sign.”
Landis said it’s a large space and his concern was having enough staff during horseshoe club nights to make sure the drinking is monitored.
“As long as they are able to do that, we don’t see any issues,” Landis said.
Deedy said he, too, spent time with Pike reviewing the situation and said they do not plan to open the space up for horseshoes on nights there is no league play.
Hope E. Tremblay can be reached at [email protected].
