EATONTOWN – Mayor Anthony Talerico has said that placing zoning restrictions on areas of the borough where massage parlors would be permitted to operate would ensure that such establishments are limited in Eatontown.
“I read a few disturbing posts on Facebook saying the town is looking to create zoning that would … welcome (illicit massage parlors) … When it comes to saying a town encourages human trafficking … I would like to say that is wrong,” Talerico said during a Borough Council meeting on Jan. 22.
In 2019, the council adopted an ordinance that amends the regulations in which a business owner must comply with to operate a massage, bodywork or holistic therapy business in Eatontown.
Officials said the amended regulations would serve to ensure that only licensed services are provided at those businesses. They said the amended ordinance would further prevent possible illicit activities such as prostitution and human trafficking.
Former Business Administrator Cherron Rountree, who resigned in October, previously said the borough’s finance and ordinance committee agreed that massage parlors should be at least 1,000 feet apart from one another.
This change in zoning would not affect existing massage parlors in town.
“It’s beyond me why someone would say something so ridiculous,” Talerico said of the Facebook post. “Nobody wants more massage parlors … I take human trafficking very seriously … I am not trying to create a zone to encourage (massage parlors). I’m trying to put spaces between them.”
Following his remarks, Councilwoman Jasmine Story said, “Obviously there is an issue with illegitimate massage parlors in town. That doesn’t mean we can’t attract actual legitimate businesses.”
By limiting the areas in Eatontown where massage parlors may operate, then fewer of these establishments would be permitted to open in the borough, Talerico explained.
If and when another massage parlor opens in town, Talerico said “they would face the scrutiny of a very strong regulating ordinance.”
These zoning restrictions have yet to be formally determined and adopted by the council.
