Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Calls Martell's Liquor License Renewal 'Premature'

Martell's, a long-time Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk landmark, had no difficulty in seeking renew its liquor license Tuesday night - a decision that Mayor Vincent Barrella called "premature."

Council voted 4-0 to extend the license to June 30, 2015 during a heard held Tuesday in the Council Chambers of the Borough Hall, 416 New Jersey Ave., Point Pleasant Beach. 

The August 2013 fatality of a woman who left Martell's, while apparently intoxicated, had caused Mayor Vincent Barrella and Council members to consider denying the renewal of its liquor license. 

Barrella had previously urged council members not to support a resolution that made a few revisions to confirm the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control's ruling about Martell's liquor license.

On Wednesday, Barrella said he feels the council should have waited until the ABC had spoken.

"It's too bad that the council couldn't wait until it had all the facts before them," he said Wednesday.

Township Attorney Kevin Riordan had warned the council that failing to codify the ABC's action supporting Martell's liquor license could expose the borough to a lawsuit that it could lose.  Riordan said the best time for the council to take action is when Martell's has to renew its license, which officials indicated to be in June.

Council members had said they should have more information in June related to the fatality and another woman's severe injury from a head-on collision, which is the subject of a lawsuit that was filed against Martell's.  The case has not yet been heard before a judge.

Barrella said the ABC has not shared any records related to the incident, despite the borough attorney's requests in October.   

ABC's Website highlights several occurrences where bars had their liquor licenses revoked or bar owners were forced to sell their liquor licenses in 2013.

Point Pleasant Beach officials have had a contentious relationship with bar owners in recent years over the local government's attempts to have them close earlier than 2 a.m., the current limit, and over parking for patrons.