Corbally Releases Bar Closing Proposal

Point Beach Councilman Michael Corbally on Wednesday afternoon released the statement he read at Tuesday night's council meeting regarding a proposal for bar owners to close earlier or help the town pay for police services.

Below (in italics) is the full text of his statement.

The measure, to authorize Beach Attorney Sean Gertner to research the matter, as well as another alternative, regarding liquor licenses, and draft a proposed ordinance, passed at the meeting at ,

After the meeting, Councilman William Mayer said that he did not support requiring all bars to either close at midnight or pay a fee based on occupancy to remain open until 2 a.m.

He said he voted yes because the motion included an additional condition, "as an alternative to Councilman Corbally's proposal, that Attorney Sean Gertner would consider what financial requirements Point Beach can impose on the Boardwalk bars, as a condition to the renewal of their liquor licenses, to reimburse the borough for the costs that are incurred to control the adverse consequences to the residential areas resulting from their businesses."

Mayor Vincent Barrella emphasized at the meeting that the vote was merely to authorize the attorney to research the issue and draft an ordinance, that Corbally's proposal "is subject to change," and that, if council wants to see it passed, it would vote on it for first reading at one meeting and then vote on whether to adopt at a subsequent meeting.

A municipality needs to wait at least 10 days after first reading of an ordinance before voting to adopt, according to the municipal clerk's office.

Business owners, managers and residents will be able to express their views on the matter at the March 20 council meeting, during the regular public comment session, as well as at least one subsequent meeting when a public hearing must be held when the ordinance is up for adoption.

Corbally's text, as read at Tuesday night's meeting, is as follows:

"I began speaking with Boardwalk Owners in November of 2010 on the need for them to help pay their fair share for police security (numbers I received from our Chief) for both the Boardwalk and surrounding neighborhoods that have been negatively affected by their clientele.

In January of 2011 we met several times on this issue, and I hoped they would abide by our local event ordinances and at least agree to fill out the applications and pay for extra special police needed.  The Chamber, American Cancer Society and our own Little League fill out forms when special police are needed. 

The Summer came and the chaos began for the residents of District IV.  We were forced as a Governing Body to react with our police department instituting a crack down on this behavior and spending an additional $90,000 in emergency dollars to contain their customers.

The Mayor formed committees of business owners to come up with solutions.  He along with Councilwomen Tooker, Councilmen Gordon and Reid met several times with these organizations. 

To date, the only solution offered was more parking (parking garages paid for by the taxpayers) or most recently a suggestion to meter all of District IV by Mr. (David) Bassinder (an owner of Martell's) and Mr. (Edward) McGlynn (attorney for Jenkinson's).

We need to take steps to inure the Public Safety and Quality of Life. 

Amend Ordinance 4-4.5: Concerning hours of operation is to read as follows.

No alcoholic beverages shall be sold, served, delivered to, or consumed in any licensed premises between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. of any day, except as hereinafter provided.

Add: 4.4-5 This provision will allow those holding a plenary retail consumption or club license to choose at their option to request a modification of their hours of operation up to a maximum of 2 hours beyond 12:00 a.m.

Example 1: A business (with an occupancy of 100) wanting to stay open until 12:30 a.m. would be required to subsidize the police security needed for the Safety and Quality Life of the residents by paying $25 X 100 = $2,500 (for a year).

Example 2: A business (with an occupancy of 100) wanting to stay open until 2:00 a.m. would be required to subsidize the police security needed for the Safety and Quality Life of the residents by paying $100 X 100 = $10,000 (for a year).

Any monies collected would go directly to safety and quality life of the residents and property owners of PPB and are to be used to cover the cost of providing police and sanitation services incurred by the borough occasioned by the necessity to provide enhanced services beyond 12:00 a.m.