Despite receiving “a few” complaints from neighbors, Beach Haven Council renewed liquor licenses for all the businesses that serve alcohol in the borough at its meeting Monday, July 13.
These businesses include the Beach Haven Marlin and Tuna Club, Black Whale Bar and Fish House, Buckalew’s Restaurant and Tavern, Engleside Restaurant, Ketch Restaurant and Bar, The Marlin, Murphy’s Marketplace, Rommel’s Liquor Store, Sea Shell Resort and Beach Club and Tuckers Tavern.
 |
| Photo via Google The parties don't have to stop, but they must kept under control, officials say. |
Prior to the approvals, Councilman James White told the audience, which included a number of the licensees, that the council takes “the responsibility of serving alcohol beverages very seriously. Our licensees have demonstrated responsible stewardship in the past, and we expect the same going forward.”
The council has had to impose restrictions on liquor licenses in previous years. So far this year, there have been a few neighbor complaints made to the council as well as the Beach Haven Police Department, White noted.
“It is our intention, with your cooperation, to avoid imposing any further restrictions. ... Our intention is to resolve any problems that affect the quality of life of the citizens of Beach Haven,” he emphasized.
Immediate concerns include the dumping of waste, mostly glass, during the evening and after hours. Loud music, especially the thumping of bass noise, which reverberates off walls and is disruptive to sleeping neighbors, has also been an issue.
“Keeping doors closed is a first step, but we would like more help from you to alleviate the noise problem,” White said. “We would like you to inform patrons that as they leave your premises that it is late and to be quiet and respectful of the residents who live in the vicinity, and remind them to use the restrooms before leaving. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping Beach Haven a family-friendly community.”
At the council’s public meeting in May, local resident Scott Cunningham said people had been using his lawn to relieve themselves at night. Although he is “all for keeping the bars open,” he said, the issue is a health hazard for the municipality.
White, who recently spent time in town with his grandson, said he is very proud of how safe and clean borough workers have kept it.
“I got to say, I love this town, the people and the people that work for it – police, public works – how the council works, the people in it that make it such a great place to come and visit and make it a family place,” he said.
In reference to a Harvey Cedars proposal for an open space preservation tax, Councilman Chuck Maschal noted that Beach Haven has one of the largest park areas of any shore community.
“We should be very proud of those, and I think that we should continue to invest in additional green acres as well as maintaining and improving and enhancing the open space that we have in Beach Haven,” he said.
“Thank you, that’s a statement to my heart,” said Mayor Nancy Taggart Davis, who also mentioned the town passed its annual audit “with flying colors.”
Taggart Davis said beach replenishment is not expected to take place in Beach Haven until the end of September.
“We’re very fortunate in that respect because we can enjoy our beaches without having to worry about all this going on,” she said.
Taggart Davis also thanked Tom Hughes, owner of the Sea Shell, who donated bike racks to the town. A few have been set up, and the rest will be installed in the fall.
Councilman Bob Keeler thanked the public works department for rebuilding the handicap access to the bathroom on Taylor Avenue. He noted that it would have cost the town two or three times more if it had hired an outside company.
Demolition of the new borough hall should begin after Labor Day, Councilman Don Kakstis noted. A public meeting to discuss the preliminary design will be held in August.
He also noted the town’s upcoming plan to reconstruct the skating rink on Nelson Avenue into six permanent pickleball courts will cost about $20,000 to complete. In comparison, Kakstis said, a five pickleball court project in Ocean City is costing that town about $170,000. Beach Haven will use $7,000 remaining from the skating rink project, which started over 11 years ago, to help fund the cost.
The council passed an ordinance amendment that, if approved, would require owners of contributing houses within the historic district, including Surflight Theatre, which is set for auction in August, to wait 12 months before doing any major exterior renovations or replacements. The current ordinance requires homeowners to wait six months. The purpose of the extension is to modify and strengthen the preservation of buildings within the historic district.
— Kelley Anne Essinger
This article was published in The SandPaper.
No comments:
Post a Comment