Hopewell Borough officials will continue a discussion in 2020 about allowing for limited consumption of alcoholic beverages at the Hopewell Borough Train Station.
The discussion, which occurred at the Dec. 5 council meeting, centers around a proposed amendment to a borough ordinance that currently prohibits any consumption of alcohol at the train station in town.
The amendment would allow for certain alcohol beverages such as beer and/or wine to be served at train station events by social permit holders.
“We have gotten very few requests for people to be able to serve beer, wine and malt beverages, which is the only thing permitted under the law to be served in that kind of setting. Not a licensee, but basically a private person,” Hopewell Borough Mayor Paul Anzano said. “We are limited to what beverages are available. This is not my train station. This is not the council’s train station. This is the taxpayers train station.”
He said taxpayers elected borough officials to be stewards of the train station and manage it wisely.
“In managing it wisely, I take that to be in this instance allowing conduct there that residents want, but allowing it at minimal risk to every other taxpayer. We have gotten a few requests and recognizing that they are residents, it would be nice to accommodate them,” Anzano said.
“Right now, we have an absolute prohibition and that is fine, but we have a minimal risk there. By going to a limited ability to serve, we would require the individual to have their insurance policy to have the event covered under their personal or homeowner’s policy,” he added.
Borough officials said that the individuals would also have to consent to enforcing the rules that the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control currently requires of social permit holders.
Those are generally not-for-profits that have events (usually fundraising events), according to officials.
“They have to commit to not serving underage people, intoxicated individuals, not leave the premises with alcohol and generally do the best they can to enforce those rules. That truly gives us minimal risk going forward,” Anzano said. “Is our risk greater with the total prohibition or with this modified prohibition, I would say it breaks even. I am in favor of this because people have asked and do not think we are exposing the Borough to any additional risk.”
Council president C. Schuyler Morehouse said that the council will continue to look at the amendment.
“If there is a desire and need and enough people in the community feel that this is something we need to do and we do not have to risk any borough assets. I go either way on this subject,” Morehouse said. “The primary driving force for me is the risk and exposure to borough property and our residents – period. What keeps coming back is that there is no additional risk.”
He said the council should give further consideration to the topic.
“It is my opinion and understanding that the borough’s increased risk is negligible,” Morehouse said. “If we can mitigate any increased risk to both property and people through forms, certifications, affidavits and increase use fees and the residents of the borough and surrounding area can use and enjoy our public properties more, I would back the initiative.”
Councilman Ryan Kennedy said he is still collecting information to understand the need and risks for the change to the ordinance.
“The train station is one of the few places in the borough where you could not have an event serving alcohol. This is a great venue that is in need of maintenance and one of the points in the council’s discussion was the appropriate fees for this change,” Kennedy said. “I am sensitive to nonprofits and individuals having an event space such as the train station. We are looking at whether to make this change or continue with the prohibition.”
He said he would have no problem in continuing the discussion, but wants to review the proposal.
Borough Administrator Michele Hovan has been asked by officials to draft an ordinance for presentation at the January or February council meeting.
