Council considers options
for sale of liquor licenses
By karl vilacoba
Staff Writer
MARLBORO — A group of new liquor licenses will be on tap in Marlboro for the first time in nearly a decade.
After the second discussion on the topic since April, Township Council attorney Frederick Raffetto was authorized on Sept. 12 to draw up an ordinance allowing for three new consumption licenses and one distribution (carry out) license. The new licenses are possible due to a population increase reported in the 2000 census.
The 1990 census indicated that Marl-boro had 27,974 residents. The 2000 census showed 36,398 residents.
But the ordinance allowing for the sale of all the new liquor licenses is more a matter of convenience to the council, whose members said they will not sell them all at once.
A consensus on how many of the licenses to sell in the immediate future was not reached.
Councilman Barry Denkensohn suggested the council sell two consumption licenses and hold on to another in anticipation of any future developments on the former Marlboro State Psychiatric Hospital property. Currently owned by the state, Gov. James E. McGreevey told the News Transcript in July that the 411-acre tract would be sold this year to alleviate state budget constraints. An April 2001 redevelopment plan drafted by the council included space on the hospital grounds for several "high end" retail uses that could potentially use a liquor license.
The law of supply and demand was a consideration to council President Dr. Paul Kovalski Jr., who suggested that only one liquor license be sold at a time to drive up the market value. Recent liquor license sales in other area towns netted $300,000 to $400,000, he said.
Mayor Matthew Scannapieco cautioned that monetary concerns should be only part of the equation. Commenting on a list of about 40 interested parties compiled by municipal clerk Alida De Gaeta, the council "might want to ask each inquiry for a little more information on what they have in mind," the mayor said.
"If you put out a license for the highest bidder, you might wind up with an establishment you’re not too proud of," Scannapieco said.
Kovalski said the council, which has the sole authority to issue the liquor licenses, would examine the list of prospective buyers further. Pitfalls to avoid are selling licenses to buyers who would create nuisances or those only interested in reselling the license as an investment, he said.
"I don’t want someone holding the town hostage on where we can use these," Kovalski said. "I would feel more comfortable, personally, to have these go to an upscale restaurant rather than some backwoods bar."
A subcommittee of Denkensohn and Councilwoman Mary Singer will explore the possibilities and needs of the township further, Kovalski said.
Currently, Marlboro has nine consumption licenses and three distribution licenses in use.