By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Taxpayers will benefit financially from the sale of a liquor license contract conditionally approved Tuesday night by the Township Committee.
The governing body awarded a license for a package goods store for $388,982 to James Dyer, pending a police review of background and verification of funding.
The money is expected to go into the 2011 municipal budget as revenue.
”There are not many opportunities in local government to receive a lump sum of money like selling the liquor license would create,” said Committeeman Frank DelCore. “With the new tax cap and rising cost of health care and pensions (in the local budget), a large lump sum payment would be a welcome addition for taxpayers.”
Mr. Dyer was the only bidder when the license was put on the block at a minimum price of $300,000, said Mayor Gloria McCauley.
Mayor McCauley said the action “is another demonstration of the careful, strategic and businesslike approach the Township Committee brings to government operations.”
Township officials said they anticipated the store would be in the Route 206 plaza anchored by ShopRite.
The store will not only help the local government budget, but “have a positive local economic impact and will create new jobs,” according to Mayor McCauley.
Liquor licenses are granted to municipalities based on population. More potential good news is that the township has a consumption license available for sale, too. There were no bidders on that license in December.

