Point Pleasant Beach Council Backs Martell's In 'Tables' Dispute, Defying Mayor

Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Vincent Barrella had a bone to pick with the longtime boardwalk business, Martell’s Tiki Bar. But council decided to back the long-time popular bar and restaurant, anyway.

Council voted unanimously Tuesday to back Martell's location of tables and chairs on a possibly public section of the boardwalk - seats that can only be used by the business's customers, Barrella said.

Earlier this month, Barrella had addressed a concern with a possible obstruction on the boardwalk involving Martell's.

Barrella explained that during his participation as a judge in the borough’s Easter Parade, he noticed a public section of the boardwalk confined by Martell’s.  According to Barrella, Martell’s had set up tables and fenced off an area of the boardwalk that is paid for by taxpayers.

“They do not have authority to use that property without authorization,” Barrella said then.

But in an attempt to refrain from what he called “nuclear action,” Councilman Stephen Reid had suggested engaging in an ongoing dialogue with Martell’s owners, and reporting back.

Councilman Thomas Vogel and others agreed that a discussion with management, rather than attorney involvement, would be the most productive route.