For the Village of Monticello and Town of Thompson to actively "push" free alcohol to employees who are on duty is a dangerous practice. If "team building" at the upcoming town/village holiday party is the task to which employees are assigned as part of their jobs at a particular event, fine. But they don't need to get sloshed on the public nickel to do that.
Whether it's an "open bar" as has been announced, or public employees bring booze to work in a flask or a brown bag (a BYOB kind of affair, with a wink and a nod), both are inappropriate. For officials to knowingly permit the mayor, supervisor or the lowest employee to drink during the performance of official duties is asking to be sued, or worse. It begs for serious injury or death, leaving blood on the hands of officials whose love of alcohol got in the way of sense.
Employers need to ensure that workers who choose to drink do so on their own time, strictly at their own risk, and that any who are found drinking or intoxicated on the job are disciplined.
Tom Rue
Monticello