BY CHRISTINE VARNO
Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — Six underage Monmouth University students are facing charges in relation to a party held in a rented city residence.
On Sept. 16 at 11:10 p.m., the Quality of Life Task Force of the Long Branch Police Department responded to 309 Cedar Ave. on a noise complaint, according to Detective Sgt. Fernando Sanders.
Officers said they observed about 20 to 30 individuals on the front lawn of the property, and heard loud music being played inside the residence.
Sanders said officers observed minors consuming alcohol when they were invited inside the home while one of the residents retrieved identification. He said the officers heard loud music coming from the basement.
“There were in excess of 100 people inside the small basement,” Sanders reported in a press release. “A $5 admission was being charged to enter the basement party and consume alcoholic beverages.”
The following residence lessees were charged with maintaining a nuisance, possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under legal age and offering alcoholic beverages to underage persons: Bryan Jewell, 20, of Delran; William Foley, 20, of Williamstown; Glenn Parsells, 20, of Glouster; Matthew W. Carter, 20, of Jackson; and Matthew Varacalli, 20, of Cedar Avenue.
Matthew S. Gideon, 20, town not reported, was issued a summons for possession of alcohol by a minor.
The other individuals attending the party were not arrested or charged, according to Sanders who said the officers dispersed the crowd upon arrival.
Chief Kevin Hayes of the city Code Enforcement Bureau also responded to the scene regarding numerous code violations within the home, according to reports.
He said it is likely that the six students are additionally going to be charged with occupying a space as a business without a commercial certificate of occupancy.
“Charging $5 at the door may constitute operating a business,” Hayes said. “Our main concern is safety.”
If the students are charged, they could be fined up to $1,250 each and be assigned up to 90 days of community service, Hayes said.
He said the tenants chose to have a party in a basement where there was no fire protection, too many occupants for the space and only one 30-inch doorway.
“That is unacceptable,” Hayes said.
The owner of the property is Elliott Koplitz, who is one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed recently against the city regarding two ordinances that the city adopted. The suit charges the ordinances discriminate against the rights of landlords and tenants.
Hayes said he is researching the possibility that the landlord could be held responsible.
“If the landlord had no knowledge of the party and didn’t approve it, he may not be charged with anything,” Hayes said. “The space is in the custody of the tenants and the tenants facilitated the event.”

