ROGERSVILLE — Voters determined Nov. 6 that the town should allow liquor to be sold inside the town limits, but it may be a few more weeks before businesses begin selling it.

Town attorney Jim Stansell has completed the first draft of an ordinance governing the sale of alcohol. Council members are reviewing the draft and will have a chance to make suggestions before voting.

“It’s a rough draft, and Jim has instructed us all to go through it, make notes and changes, and get it back to him,” Rogersville Mayor Richard Herston said.

Stansell said he examined similar ordinances from municipalities across the state. He said the ordinance incorporates things other municipalities are doing as well as state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board regulations.

“This is something totally new to us, so we have to go over this and decide what is best for the town and our residents,” Councilman and Mayor Pro-tem James Hagood said.

Herston said the council met with representatives from the local ABC enforcement office to review state regulations.

Lt. Gene Schrieber, an agent at the local ABC enforcement office, said developing an ordinance is a required step.

“Once they have the ordinance approved and the fees set, businesses can apply for a license,” Schrieber said.

He said businesses must apply to the ABC Board for a license, and it will be sent to Rogersville officials for their consideration.

“By law, we must have local government approval before we approve it,” Schrieber said.

Stansell said he has started receiving feedback about the ordinance and will put together a revised ordinance, if needed.

“Hopefully, I can have that done within a couple of weeks and we can move forward,” he said.

Stansell said he has heard inquiries from a few Rogersville businesses interested in selling liquor.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.