CAPE MAY – What looked like a routine matter of renewing annual liquor licenses provoked two residents to use the public comment period of a City Council meeting June 7 to urge better enforcement of regulations on outdoor music.
Those who spoke specifically singled out Elaine’s Cape May on Lafayette Street for what they said were violations of the outdoor music hours, which are supposed to end at 9 p.m. The regulation of hours for such music is a condition of the liquor license.
Mayor Zack Mullock said the council had also received correspondence concerning the same establishment’s alleged violation of the hours for outdoor music.
With the chief of police and the city manager not in attendance at the meeting, council members expressed concern that they were being asked to vote for a license renewal without the ability to get feedback on the enforcement issues.
In the end, the renewal of the license for Elaine’s was tabled for discussion at the next council meeting when enforcement issues can be explored.