The council discussed possible liquor license fees for the Hampton Inn & Suites Robbinsville on West Manor Way, so guests can have a drink while staying at the hotel or holding a reception there.
by David Kilby, Special Writer
ROBBINSVILLE — The Township Council discussed potentially granting a liquor license to a new hotel with aims to be business-friendly while also helping to bring in a little extra income for the township took place last week.
At its March 13 meeting, the council discussed price ranges for a proposed liquor license for the Hampton Inn & Suites Robbinsville on West Manor Way, so guests can have a drink while staying at the hotel or holding a reception there.
”We don’t want to overcharge a local business, but we don’t want to shortchange ourselves either,” said Township Councilman Ron Witt as the council discussed a fair rate for the license.
Other municipalities in the area had liquor license ranges between $25,000 in Hamilton and $31,000 in West Windsor, said Municipal Clerk Michele Siegfried.
The council determined that a fair amount would be a one-time fee of $30,200, which accounts for a $25,000 flat rate plus $50 for each of the hotel’s 104 rooms, in addition to an annual rate of $2,500. The one-time fee is the minimum required by state law, and the annual rate is the standard state rate for a plenary retail license for hotel, according to officials.
”The law does not apply to hotels that have a regular restaurant,” Ms. Siegfried said, adding that if the hotel did have a regular restaurant the township could charge more for the license.
The council was not as reluctant in potentially granting the license to the hotel, as it would be for a liquor store or bar, since alcohol in hotels is usually only served to guests, officials said.
”Your average person wouldn’t pull off there for happy hour,” Councilman Witt said.
Ms. Siegfried said obtaining a liquor license for a business is a lengthy process, but she will keep the council appraised on future developments.
According to Ms. Siegfried, the next step in the process is for the council to adopt a resolution that would set a bid price and terms of the bid, as well as authorize the issuance of a hotel liquor license to the highest qualified bidder pursuant to a sealed bid process.
After bid(s) are recieved, another resolution of council would be adopted confirming a preliminary qualified bidder. At the end of the process, there will be a public hearing for objectors to voice their concerns. At that point, the Council will be able to take formal action to award the new hotel license.
In other news, at the same meeting, Noushin Kanani of Cypress Street questioned the Township Council about taxes, especially those coming from the Robbinsville Township School District.
Council President Sheree McGowan pointed out that the township does not control the school budget, and the council does not yet know the numbers for the municipal budget.
Council President McGowan also explained that if the school exceeds the 2 percent tax levy cap, the district would have to go to referendum for public approval of the budget.
Previously, the public would annually vote on the school budget, but that has not been the case since the district opted to move its elections to November.
Mike Moreken, of Sharon Drive, also brought up the issue of taxes, saying that even with the 2 percent cap the district can be in a state of growth every year.
Council President McGowan replied if that’s not something the public wants then they need to vote out the board or council members who approves the increase.
The value of the township overall is going down, and obviously it has to raise the same amount of taxes, explained Councilman Witt, who added he would support the school budget since the strength of the schools correlate to high real estate values.
Members of the governing body affirmed that the school district will get some money from the new Amazon warehouse moving into the township, but they may not see that money until next year.

