By JACQUELINE DURETT
Correspondent
SAYREVILLE — Pure Event Center cleared a significant hurdle Aug. 3 in meeting its obligations to renew its liquor license.
Salvatore Alfieri, attorney for Pure, a Route 35 event space, said the Planning Board has given Pure two previous conditional approvals, and the venue was looking for a longer-term approval. He said the board had granted permission for Pure to hold five public events over the past six months, which it has done. It has also held various private events in that time.
Alfieri said the board previously had concerns about the fence and sound, which the applicant was prepared to address.
Brian Lourenco, a co-owner of Pure, said a preexisting fence was already on the property, but had some structural integrity issues that he has addressed. He also said the staff has been vigilant about security around the fence. He said there was an incident where someone did try to jump the fence to get into Pure, and that man was escorted off the property.
In regards to the events themselves, Lourenco said Pure had also not held any teen nights as agreed to, and does not plan on having any ever again. In 2013, when the site was known as Club Pure, two men were charged with the possession and distribution of the illegal drug ecstasy when six teens were hospitalized.
Lourenco also testified that technology had been put in place to limit the volume coming from the facility. He also addressed a concern from the board regarding musical acts using their own sound system — he said in the five years he’s managed the facility, there’s never been an act that’s ever used its own sound system.
Acoustical engineer Norman Dotti also testified on behalf of Pure regarding the sound. Dotti said noise from inside generally cannot be heard outside, and the sound levels have been kept in compliance.
Lt. Timothy Brennan of the Sayreville Police Department also testified before the board, explaining that this year the department has received two noise complaints from Pure — one in May and the other in June. He said he has previously let residents know that they can contact him directly about any concerns, and none has done so.
“My experience with this situation from the last hearing and today’s hearing is that they’ve complied with everything the police department has asked them to do,” including notifying the department when an event is planned, Brennan said.
He added that there have been no traffic issues either.
During the public portion, Brandon Williams, who works as a deejay at the facility, said he is an audio engineer and is familiar with the sound concerns the borough has had. He said his experience is that Pure has been in compliance with the restrictions. He said the staff there also is strict about keeping doors closed and the sound in check. He said he has friends who live near Pure and haven’t had any complaints.
“I think it’s a great thing for Sayreville,” he said of Pure. “I think he’s doing a great job,” he said of Lourenco.
In the end, the board unanimously granted Pure to run unlimited for a year, and if there are no complaints from the neighbors or police, Lourenco can come back without an attorney and receive the final unlimited approval.
A few of the Planning Board members addressed Lourenco when giving their approvals.
“I would just like to commend you for all the hard work you’ve done to make this happen,” Deborah Lee said. “I have to say that there were a lot of us on the Planning Board that weren’t sure that you could really comply with everything and have it be satisfactory. This is a good thing for Sayreville and thank you.”
“It’s my sincere hope, sir, that things keep going along the track that they’re on, that the neighbors aren’t inconvenienced or harassed and that you abide by the rules, and I wish you success in your business,” Kenneth Kelly said.
“I know that we’ve been very particular about the approvals of this application. That area has been the wild, wild west in years past,” Planning Board Chairman John Misiewicz said, “and I know that the restrictions that we put on you were kind of tough, and I appreciate you working with the town and working with the [police department] to mitigate a lot of these residential issues, but again I hope you do well and good luck.”
