Wilmington Select Board Approves Beer Garden License for Fund on the 4th, 4-1

WILMINGTON — March 24, 2026 — Wilmington Select Board votes 4-1 to allow a beer garden at Fund on the 4th for the first time. The board approved a one-day alcohol license for Broadway Hospitality Group, operators of Tavern in the Square, to run a fenced, tented beer garden at the July Fourth celebration on the Swain Green or in the adjacent municipal parking lot, with a three-drink maximum, TIPS-certified staff, and wristband tracking modeled on last fall's Fall Fest operation. Patrick Giroux, chairman of the Wilmington 4th of July Committee, cited years of community feedback in support of the feature; board member Jake Kyra cast the lone no vote, saying he did not believe drinking on public property was necessary to enjoy a family event. A separate Fall Fest beer garden license passed unanimously. The board also unanimously raised the all-alcohol package store license fee from $1,750 to $2,250, effective at December renewal, and received a detailed briefing from Principal Assessor Karen Raskis on veteran and senior property tax exemptions tied to warrant articles coming before residents at the May 2 annual town meeting — where, if adopted, Clause 22J would double disability-related exemptions currently totaling $102,200 in annual abatements for veterans.