Chapter 4 Article XVIII 

                       ORDINANCE REGARDING ALCOHOL POSSESSION BY PERSONS UNDER TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE

 Section 1: Findings

1.  The possession and consumption of alcoholic liquor by minors is a matter of a growing local, regional and national concern. 

2.     Consumption of alcohol by minors unsupervised by parental authority creates a health and safety risk not only to children in the community but also to the general public. 

3.  The Town of Woodbridge seeks to protect, preserve and promote the health, safety, welfare and quality of life of its residents by regulating the possession of alcohol by those under the age of twenty-one years. 

Section 2: Definitions

As used in this chapter the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: 

(a)     “ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR” shall have the same meaning, as the same term is defined in Title 30, Section 30-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes as amended from time to time. 

(b) “HOST” shall mean to organize a gathering of two or more persons, or to allow the premises under one’s control to be used with one’s knowledge, for a gathering of two (2) or more persons for personal, social or business interaction. 

(c) “MINOR” shall have the same meaning, as said term is defined in Title 30, Section 30-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes as amended from time to time. 

(d) “PERSON” shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, association, syndicate, company, trust, corporation, limited liability company, municipality, agency or political or administrative subdivision of the state or other legal entity of any kind. 

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Section 3: Possession

No minor shall be in possession of alcoholic liquors, whether in opened or closed containers or otherwise, within the Town of Woodbridge except:  (1) when accompanied by or in the presence of his or her parent, guardian or spouse who has attained the age of twenty-one; (2) a person over age eighteen who is an employee of a permit holder under Section 30-90a of the Connecticut General Statutes, or a permit holder under the Liquor Control Act and who possesses alcoholic liquor in the course of his employment or business; or (3) a minor who possesses alcoholic liquor on the order of a practicing physician. This restriction shall apply to both public and private property. 

Section 4: Sale or Delivery of Alcoholic Liquor 

No person shall sell alcoholic liquor to a minor or deliver alcoholic liquor to a minor except:

(1) sale, shipment or delivery made to a person over age eighteen who is an employee of a permit holder under Section 30-90a of the Connecticut General Statutes, or a permit holder under the Liquor Control Act of the State of Connecticut where such sale or delivery is made in the course of such person’s employment or business; (2) a sale or delivery made in good faith to a minor who practices any deceit in the procurement of an identity card, or exhibits an identity card belonging to any other person, or who uses or exhibits an identity card that has been altered or tampered with in any way; or (3) delivery made to a minor by a parent, guardian or spouse of the minor who is at least twenty-one years of age and provided such minor possesses such alcoholic liquor while accompanied by such parent, guardian or spouse.

Section 4: Hosting Events

No person shall host an event or gathering at which the host knowingly allows alcoholic liquor to be consumed by or dispensed to any minor unless said minor is accompanied by or in the presence of his or her parent, guardian, or spouse who has attained the age of twenty-one years. This restriction shall apply to any event or gathering within the Woodbridge, whether conducted on public or private property. 

Section 5: Penalties 

Any person who violates any provision of this Chapter shall be subject to arrest and prosecution by the proper authorities and shall be subject to a fine not to exceed one hundred and 00/100 ($100.00) dollars for each offense. Each violation of this ordinance shall constitute a separate offense.

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Section 6: Enforcement of Fines 

The procedures established by the Ordinance entitled “Citation Hearing Procedure”, Chapter II, Article IV, at 750, may be applied to citations for fines issued under this Ordinance. The provisions of this Ordinance further may be enforced in any court having jurisdiction over violations, fines, arrests, and prosecutions. 

Section 7: Interpretation and Validity

The invalidity of any word, clause, section or provision of this Ordinance shall not affect the validity of any other part, which shall be given effect without such invalid part or parts. 

History:     Adopted by the Board of Selectmen on February 19, 2003

                Effective: March 21, 2003 

 

 

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