Council members introduce "Animal House ordinance"
By:Charlie Olsen
The Borough Council introduced Monday what council members coined the "Animal House" ordinance, designed to limit underage consumption of alcohol on private property.
Picking up on the theme of 1978 movie "Animal House" that featured a fictional fraternity and the drunken parties held at its frat house, council members said the ordinance would help control underage drinking on private property in the borough.
According to Mayor Angelo Corradino, with the Manville High School prom this Friday and the beginning of the summer holiday approaching, the council hopes that this ordinance will minimize underage drinking.
"It’s getting to be that time of year," said Mayor Corradino. "Prom is coming, summer’s coming, we’re just interested in their welfare."
The ordinance prohibits any person under the legal age of 21 years old and without legal authority to knowingly possess or knowingly consume an alcoholic beverage on private property.
However, the ordinance is not designed to prevent underage persons from consuming or possessing an alcoholic beverage in connection with a religious observance, ceremony or rite.
It also doesn’t prevent underage persons from drinking in the presence of and with the permission of a parent, guardian or relative of legal age.
Additionally, it will not impede underage persons’ ability to possess alcohol as a part of their job or while engaged in the preparation of food at a culinary arts or vocational school.
The ordinance imposes a fine of $250 for the first offense and a fine of $350 for any subsequent offense. The court may also suspend or postpone for six months the driving privileges of an offender.
If the person in violation is under the age of 17, a suspension that will include motorized bicycles will be imposed until six months after the defendant turns 17 years old.
The ordinance will be open to public hearing at the council’s meeting on May 22.

