Dennis’ Curfew to End; Open Space Grant Irks Committee

DENNISVILLE – The first matter that provoked discussion at the Sept. 16 Dennis Township Committee meeting was the curfew for minors. Township Solicitor Jeffrey April advised committee that the Supreme Court recently ruled in the case of two municipalities, West New York and Egg Harbor Township, that it is the right of parents to decide how late their under 18-year-olds can stay out. That right supersedes the right of a municipality to set a curfew that applies to those same children.
Committeeman Albert DiCicco asked if that would apply to the Recreation Center. “Yes,” said April, adding, “Just being out is not a violation of the law. If they (the minors) break a law then you can arrest them.”
April further informed members that both Hamilton and Egg Harbor townships had repealed their curfew ordinances. April expanded on his explanation saying if they wanted they could close the Recreation Center to everyone “but you can’t base the ordinance on age.”
Committee Brian Teefy wondered aloud about Sea Isle City’s boardwalk curfew on the promenade. “How do the shore towns handle it?” he asked.
April assured him that if they are challenged they were unlikely to prevail, and it would cost them a lot in attorneys’ fees. He advised committee to remove the entire statute. They agreed.
Open Space Application
The next matter led to a vigorous discussion when Committeeman Frank Germanio gave his report regarding the status of the township’s grant application to the county Open Space program.
“Taxpayers have paid millions of dollars for the Open Space program,” he said. After giving his report on the details of the application, Germanio said that county officials really wanted Dennis Township to be benefited by the Open Space program, but he feared that the application as submitted fell short of what the grant awarders wanted.
Germanio said that the county had given Dennis Township guidance on how to prepare a successful application. “We didn’t follow the guidance they gave,” said Germanio.
He also told committee that the county board is looking for something that was a unique experience and that one more tournament be added to the sport’s schedule. He suggested a backup plan should the one submitted fail.
This appeared to be more than Committee Brian O’Connor could stand and he addressed Germanio directly, telling his fellow committee member the reason the application was revised.
“Not one person from an athletic association was consulted,” Germanio said. “It’s not what the county thinks, it’s what Dennis Township thinks.”
O’Connor added that he took umbrage at what he viewed as Germanio’s suggestion that he, O’Connor, had “killed our chances.”
Germanio responded by saying that he was not permitted to be present at the meetings O’Connor conducted and when O’Connor was acting mayor he would not permit Germanio to put the matter on the agenda.
“You had 11 months. What were you doing for 11 months?” O’Connor asked. “We’re not going to be a place for tournaments. … If you want to campaign, take it outside.”
To that, Germanio answered that he just wanted to be part of preparing the final application. “You would not let me be part of that process,” Germanio said. “I have your emails.”
He promised that whatever the outcome of his re-election campaign, he would continue to fight for the Open Space program for the benefit of the township.
Mayor John Murphy jumped in to play the role of conciliator and promised a meeting of all interested parties.
To contact Helen McCaffrey, email hmccaffrey@cmcherald.com.