Princeton Township approves hike in liquor-license fees

Sidewalk plan introduced for Oakland Street.

By: Rahcel Silverman
   The Princeton Township Committee marched forward on a slew of new ordinances Monday night, including an increase in liquor-license fees for all bars, restaurants and stores serving alcohol within the municipality.
   The ordinance, which was introduced by the committee April 18, raises the liquor fees roughly 20 percent.
   Like a similar Borough Council ordinance enacted May 3, the measure increases the annual fee for township merchants holding a plenary retail consumption license — which covers bars and restaurants serving alcohol — from $2,000 to $2,400 this year and to $2,500 per year beginning in 2006. The ordinance applies the same increase in the annual fee to holders of a plenary retail distribution license, which covers liquor stores, and raises the fee for a club license from $150 to $188 per year.
   The fees, which come on the heels of new statewide regulations that give municipalities more leverage in beefing up collection revenue, constitute the maximum charges permitted by the state.
   The ordinance affects "about two or three bars or restaurants in the township" and one packaged-goods store, Claridge Wine & Liquor at the Princeton Shopping Center, Township Attorney Edwin Schmierer has said.
   The committee also adopted a revised leaf-, branch- and log-collection ordinance Monday night, as part of the ongoing effort to fine-tune the recently initiated environmental program.
   The resolution spells out the specific time — 7 a.m. Mondays — at which collection pickups will begin, eliminating any possible confusion about when residents should place their removal items curbside.
   "This is probably not the last refinement of the ordinance," Mr. Schmierer predicted.
   The meeting also saw the introduction of an ordinance for the construction of sidewalks on Oakland Street, which runs between Ewing Street and Walnut Lane north of Guyot Avenue.
   The improvement project involves a combination of sidewalk replacement and new sidewalks, for a total cost of $12,000. Although the extent of improvement for each homeowner varies, the neighbors agreed to evenly split the costs. Fifty percent will be paid by the township, and 50 percent will be divided among the homeowners.
   "I know some people on Oakland Street," Committeeman Lance Liverman said, commending the collaborative spirit there. "They’ve often stated it was nice working with the township on this project."
   Township Mayor Phyllis Marchand agreed.
   "This is what I think is very democratic," she said. "They’ve worked out the problems themselves," she added, referring to the neighbors’ arrangement of equal cost-sharing.