Groton Select Board Approves Puritan Tavern License, Appoints Park Commissioner

GROTON -- June 15, 2026, Groton Select Board approves Puritan Tavern liquor license, appoints park commissioner 6-3. The board voted unanimously Monday to transfer the on-premises all-alcohol restaurant license for the former Groton Station House at 20 Station Avenue to Groton Cuisine LLC, doing business as Puritan Tavern, with Cambridge Street Hospitality Group owner Will Gilson named as manager; hours were set at 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Gilson, who previously held a town license for the Herb Lyceum before a 2024 fire destroyed it, said his "intention is to do a virtual town hall" with residents before opening, targeting mid-August to Labor Day. In a joint session, the board and Park Commission voted 6-3 to appoint Jeff Ovinger to the park commissioner vacancy through the 2027 annual election over applicant Eric Berg, after board member Rebecca Rouillard flagged that Berg's application arrived a week past the June 3 deadline due to a staff error. The board also deferred action on a proposal to raise the veterans service officer stipend from $6,600 to $23,000 annually, with Rouillard citing the absence of a job description and unmet-need data; the town manager will bring an appointment back at the June 29 meeting before outgoing officer Maureen Hurd's term expires June 30.