The traditional Music  Under The Stars concerts are underway in North Haven this season and rumor around town is that the fun festivities may not be the same under the new town administration.  For as long as I can remember it has been acceptable to pack a few beers for a relaxing night of music on the Town Green.

When I noticed the show tonight featured "Big Shot" a Billy Joel tribute band I asked my wife if she wanted to go. Since I'm not always in tune with the latest trends she informed me that word on the street is anyone on town property with alcoholic beverages will be fined.  Not sure if she was trying to give me a nudge for Tee'd Off Tuesday but it sort of worked.  Although I'm not officially annoyed about the rumor I would be pissed if I get a ticket.

After searching the town web site I did find an ordinance that indeed prohibits the consumption of "alcoholic liquor" on town property and began my investigation into the Grey Area.   Of course the bureaucrats that earn their living sucking tax dollars out of our pocket never make anything easy to understand. 

My first thought was liquor is a distilled process so maybe beer & wine are except from the ordinance since they are fermented beverages and are commonly allowed where "Hard Liquor" is not.  Well the town cronies included language to define alcoholic liquor as described in Section 30-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes which after a little more investigation I discovered includes all liquid and solids with an alcohol content of more than 1/2 of 1% by volume.

My next task was to find out how much alcohol is in my beer of choice, Heineken contains 5.4% alcohol when measured by volume so it looks like the law clearly spelled out in black & white.  The only shade of grey left is whether the first selectman issued her blessing allowing the town folks to carry on as they have in prior years.   

Guess I'll just pack my cooler with a couple of cold ones and see what happens.  Anyone interested in discussing real estate within my territory can feel free to contact me or catch me at the concert for a little conversation between songs.