West Cape May Voters OK Liquor License Sales

WEST CAPE MAY — Voters here approved three ballot questions Nov. 4 regarding the sale of two liquor licenses which could raise $1.4 million to provide tax relief for the next eight to 10 years.
Ballot question one, which asked if the borough should sell one restaurant liquor license, was approved 295-179.
Ballot question two, which asked if a license should be sold to allow package store sales, passed 286-185.
A third ballot question, which asked if 100 percent of the money from the sale of two liquor licenses should be placed in a dedicated trust fund for long-term tax relief for residents, passed 358-114.
The restaurant liquor license minimum bid will be set at $650,000 while the retail store minimum bid will be $750,000.
Before the election, Mayor Pamela Kaithern said the licenses would not be sold for less than the minimum bids.
The restaurant liquor license could be sold to an existing eatery or for a new one to be constructed.
While the voter referendum questions were non-binding and the borough could have legally sold the liquor licenses without voter approval, Borough Commission chose not to take that route.
Kaithern told the Herald Nov. 5 she was pleased residents recognized the opportunity to increase revenue for the borough. She said she did not forecast any negative impacts from the sale of liquor in the borough since residents and visitors were currently bringing alcohol into West Cape May.
Kaithern said the possibility exists the liquor licenses could bring in more money than the minimum bid prices. A favorable interest rate on the dedicated trust fund could also extend the longevity of yearly tax relief, she said.
Kaithern said borough commission needed to be careful not to place so many restrictions on the liquor licenses that it scared away interested parties, “but on the flip side, we want to have restrictions in place that will protect the character of the community.”
“That balance is what we are looking to achieve,” she said.
While nothing has been set in stone as far as the location of a retail liquor store, the mayor said placing it on Sunset or Park boulevards would make the most sense. She said public input is welcomed on the topic.
Borough Solicitor Frank Corrado will prepare a bid package for license applicants.
Ultimately, borough commission will pass ordinances enabling the sale of the licenses.
West Cape May voted for Obama/Biden over McCain/Palin, 340-190.
In the senate race, voters chose Democrat Frank Lautenberg over Republican Dick Zimmer 307-175.
In the House of Representatives race, West Cape May voters chose Republican Frank LoBiondo over Democrat David Kurkowski, 255-248.
Sixty eight percent of the borough’s 795 voters, 542, participated in the general election.
Those figures did not include absentee or provisional ballots.