A citizen petition seeking Town Meeting's support for a special act of the legislature to grant a beer and wine license to Hingham Gas was defeated by a voice vote. Article 40 asked the town to authorize the Select Board to file a home rule petition that would create an additional package store license specifically for the newly constructed convenience store at 19 Whiting Street.

Eva Nosco, speaking on behalf of the business owners, presented the motion, and Jenny Meresh, one of the owners, made a brief appeal for support, noting they had constructed the store with coolers anticipating the license. Ms. Nosco argued that selling beer and wine at gas stations is common in Europe and that Hingham should be open to a "new way of living."

However, the proposal was met with opposition. The Advisory Committee and Select Board both recommended no action on the article. Advisory Committee member Alan McDonald explained that Hingham's 13 package store licenses are all currently in use, and creating a special exception outside the established state process required a compelling circumstance, which they felt was not present in this case. Resident Judith Kelly also spoke against the measure, stating it would set a precedent for liquor sales in convenience stores and that there were already sufficient liquor stores in South Hingham.