Monterey Forming Committee To Rewrite Alcohol Ordinances

Monterey is expected to name a new committee next week to review liquor and beer ordinances that would change the town’s charter.

The purpose of the committee is to rewrite the ordinances to follow Tennessee Code Annotated. Mayor JJ Reels said the process will take some time as the entire alcohol consumption chapter will be reviewed.

“You almost have to go through it line by line to make sure our ordinance is in compliance with the TCA when we rewrite it,” Reels said. “And when we do that, it has to go to the state to make sure it complies with all the laws.”

The three ordinances would change how alcohol is served within Monterey. Vendors could sample alcohol at the farmer’s market, microbreweries could be established and restaurants could have outdoor alcohol sales. Reels said these updates would open the door for more businesses.

“We had interest in a micro-brewery here, but with the way the ordinance is written, the percentage of alcohol says five percent, and when these micro-breweries make their beer, it is often seven or eight percent,” Reels said.

Reels said the first meeting should occur sometime this month. Reels said multiple sessions will have to be conducted. City Attorney Brett Knight made the recommendation to create the committee.