Huntingdon’s Town Council took the first steps toward allowing Cash Saver to sell beer at its November 25 meeting, while at the same time approving a liquor-ordinance change that one council member said “reduces opportunity and eliminates competition.”
The town also received its new fire engine, approved a bid for a new police vehicle, and changed the date of its next meeting.
Clearing the Way For Cash Saver
The Council passed two ordinances that are necessary before Cash Saver can become the town’s eighth location to sell beer.
The first was a rezoning ordinance correcting an old oversight on the town’s zoning map.
A portion of the Cash Saver property had technically remained in a residential zone, despite the store operating commercially.
“We realized in our zoning that the actual building had been sitting in residential for all these years,” Mayor Chad Edwards said.
The updated designation places the entire property in the B-1 Neighborhood Business District.
Next, the Council approved the first reading of an amendment to the beer ordinance eliminating the 300-foot distance requirement from churches and schools for properties in the B-1 and B-2 business districts.
The revised ordinance now says that the restriction “shall not apply” in those commercial zones.
Both Ordinances passed unanimously.
This clears Cash Saver’s final hurdle before a permit application.
If approved, Cash Saver would become the town’s eighth packaged beer retailer and the twelfth total location selling beer when counting locations with on-premises consumption.
Limiting Liquor Store Licenses
While expanding the path for beer sales, the council also approved the first reading of an ordinance that caps the number of liquor stores in Huntingdon at two.
Mayor Edwards said the change was modeled after surrounding towns and reflects what he said the local market can realistically support.
Huntingdon did have three liquor stores until Bootleggers closed down.
Edwards said the closure showed that the local demand isn’t enough to support three stores.
“We don’t want to set somebody up for failure,” Edwards said. “Two is all that can survive here.”
Council member Chad Barnhart cast the lone vote against the measure, arguing that government shouldn’t be deciding how many businesses can operate in a free market.
“Competition is risk and reward,” Barnhart said. “Government should get out of the way. This reduces opportunity and eliminates competition.”
Council member Lori Dillahunty responded with information she obtained from the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
“One thing that stood out to me is that when you limit it, you prevent excessive alcohol use and related harms.”
She later said that there are recommendations for limiting liquor stores based on population.
While Carroll County Observer did not locate specific set of guidelines, state law leaves such restrictions to local municipalities.
According to information from MTAS, “Cities and counties are authorized to control the location and number of licenses as long as they do not ‘unreasonably restrict the availability of alcoholic beverages’ to their residents.”
New Fire Truck
A new fire truck for the Huntingdon Fire Department has officially arrived and was parked outside City Hall during the meeting.
Fouts Fire manufactured the new fire engine.
It’s built on a 2025 Freightliner Chassis, has a 1,000 gallon water tank, and a 1,500 gpm pump.
Firefighters Brett Hampton and Dustin Taylor designed the reflective striping, which incorporates Huntingdon High School’s official colors, along with the “Power H” displayed on the back.
Fire Chief John Fordon said the new engine will be housed at Station 3 on Northwood Drive.
Once it’s fully equipped, he said it will become frontline apparatus and replace Engine 4, which will be moved to reserve status.
The new fire engine will be ready after January 1.
Other Business
The council passed the second and final reading of Ordinance 645, which updates the town’s building permit fee schedule by adjusting rates based on project value.
The council also approved the final reading of Ordinance 646, which updates ADA procedures and formally establishes an Access Advisory Committee.
The council passed the first reading of Ordinance 647, which updates the rules for single-family residential units in the B-3 Central Business District.
It allows non-storefront dwelling units only if they are located on upper floors or behind the commercial storefront, with separate entrances and at least 50 percent of the ground floor reserved for commercial use.
The ordinance also reduces the minimum required size for a single-family residential unit from 1,000 square feet to 900 square feet.
They also passed the first reading of Ordinance 651, which establishes a 12-month probationary period for newly hired firefighters.
The council also voted to move its next meeting from December 23 to December 16. It will take place at City Hall at 5:15 p.m.
How much revenue (taxes) does the liquor and beer sales bring in each year?