Selectmen declined this week to respond to a request by owner Robert Hirsch for permission to sell hard liquor at the Grapevine on Ayer Road.

“It requires a town vote, anyway you slice it,” said Chairman Marie Sobalvarro.

Bylaws passed by the town and approved by the state legislature two years ago authorize Selectmen to issue up to three licenses for the sale of beer and wine, but not distilled spirits, such as whiskey or vodka.

Selectmen have granted two beer and wine licenses: one to the Grapevine and one to the Harvard General Store. Both are up for renewal this fall.

Amy Bernhardt, the manager of the General Store, told the Press recently that the store was approached, but is “not interested” in selling spirits.

A license to sell hard liquor would require a vote by Town Meeting to amend Harvard’s bylaws.

Sobalvarro asked Town Administrator Tim Bragan to send a letter to Hirsch, who was not present at the meeting Tuesday, advising him to “work with local residents” to petition the town for a vote on the matter.