Freeholders Weigh Use of Alcohol on County Grounds

CREST HAVEN — What’s an Oktoberfest without beer?
Town Bank Volunteer Fire Company won’t have to worry about that this coming October when a gala celebration is planned at the Cape May County Airport near the former Everlon Building.
Freeholders on Tue., Feb. 14 gave consent to allow the Oct. 11-15 festival, and in so doing set foot on previously uncharted grounds: use of alcohol on county land.
Although the county owns the airport facility, the Delaware River and Bay Authority operates it.
While the board gave thumbs up to the Oktoberfest for the fire company, it is cautiously reviewing its no-alcohol policy allowed. Any change could potentially affect such venues as the county parks and Naylor House on Route 9 near the African Savannah of the zoo, headquarters for the county’s Culture and Heritage Commission; a Victorian-era building that could serve as a setting for weddings or other private parties. Or should the county even consider allowing private parties to use alcohol on county ground?
“Over the years I have had a lot of requests from the park from softball players,” said Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton, a retired wine salesman. He told peers that the “over- 40” softball players had sought permission to swill a few beers after nine innings on summer evenings at the diamond east of the main County Park between Route 9 and Garden State Parkway on Crest Haven Road.
Vice Director M. Susan Sheppard, who oversees Culture and Heritage, cited the worth of discussing revenue options, especially at such settings as the Naylor House or the gazebo in the pond at the County Park.
No one, it seemed, could find exactly where the prohibition originated, but it seemed, said Thornton, that the once autonomous
County Park Commission, since dissolved and currently a department, had decided against alcohol in the park.
“We did not have legal authority then,” noted Thornton, “Now they are a department.”
Freeholder Leonard Desiderio, operator of a Sea Isle City tavern, wondered if such permission is given should it be only to non-profit organizations, such as fire companies or civic groups.
County Administrator Stephen O’Connor told the board he had researched other counties’ policies for alcohol use. Of 18 counties surveyed, 11 “allow some form of alcohol.” Those, which operate golf courses, allow alcohol, he said. Cape May County has no government-run courses.
Ocean and Morris counties allow alcohol in its parks; Monmouth County allows it in its campgrounds.
If non-profits are permitted to use alcohol, “We need to make sure the ABC (state Alcoholic Beverage Commission) will allow a one-day liquor license,” cautioned County Counsel Barbara Bakley-Marino. Such permits are usually issued by the local municipal governing body, which acts as the ABC. In the case of the main county park, Middle Township would
likely have issuing authority.
If Aramark, which operates the food concession in the County Park in Swainton would be the purveyor, “Do they need a liquor license from the municipality?” asked Thornton.
“If Aramark wanted to sell beer, it would need a special license from the municipality,” he added.
“What would we do about insurance?” wondered Desiderio. If a one-day catering permit is to be considered, said Desiderio, the local chief of police would have to review the request then send it to the state. Questions that need to be considered, he said, were how many people were expected to attend the event, where are the exits?
“Do we want to charge them?” asked O’Connor.
“Would we end up cleaning up?” asked Sheppard. “Would we have sheriff’s officers up there?”
Back to the airport and the Town Bank Fire Company’s Oktoberfest, Thornton said it would be permitted “If they go through the proper procedures and get insurance to indemnify the county.”
“It would be nice to see some use of the airport,” added Sheppard, alluding to the long-unused Everlon structure and surrounding grounds.
“I am in favor of it,” said Freeholder Will Morey.
“Basically, we will defer to counsel to make sure we are protected and legal, said Thornton. “Lower Township Police Department is right there,” he added.
With an eye toward county businesses, which sell alcohol, Freeholder Kristine Gabor said, “We don’t want to have the county take away from private business. We don’t want to be in competition.”
Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 Ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com