The licenses should be owed by the city, to be returned when a place closes as is the case in other towns. A well run place with liquor is a plus for Waltham. Also, let's get rid of the ABCC and put the power where it belongs....with local governments not a highly politicized state agency.

This issue seems to be generating alot of thought in Waltham, with some for it, and some against it. Some bar owners say it could hurt their business but the poll indicates readers want more licenses. Is there a happy medium?

That's a big NO! This city needs to aspire to to be more of a town like Needham, Wellesley, Belmont and the like! Understand I know this city cannot compete in the socioeconomic class with the aforementioned towns BUT has anyone recently read the Waltham arrest logs? Pitiful! DUI's all over the place, domestic violence all over the place etc.., now do you really think we need more people drinking I this city? Sorry, just exercising my 1st amendment with my opinion! Thanks for the shout out! SS

Supersonic, Do you know that Belmont has recently started to get into the alcohol business? Belmont was a dry town until a couple of years ago. Then they realized that quality eateries that serve alcohol help to bring in foot traffic. They have been issuing new liquor licenses over the last few years.

Also, remember that we are a city of 60,000 people. Belmont, Needham and Wellesley combined are about 25,000 each. Sure, we have crime in some parts of our city. That right there is what the License Commission is for. They need to look at where the new licenses are being requested and make sure they would benefit the city. You don't refuse a liquor license in a new development off of 128 because of a spike in crime on Bacon St. for example, just as Boston wouldn't deny a request for a license in the new South Boston Waterfront developments because of a spike in crime in Dorchester.

Ignore the "combined" above. They are about 75,000 combined.