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Upper Freehold Township Committee considering underage drinking ordinance.

By: Frank C. D’Amico
   UPPER FREEHOLD — The Township Committee is considering penalties for people caught drinking alcohol on private property before the legal age.
   At its Feb. 28 meeting, the committee discussed an ordinance that would create a fine of $250 for the first offense and $350 for the second offense. The ordinance must state municipal courts may suspend the driver’s license of the offender.
   Township Attorney Granville D. "Skip" Magee said the ordinance must include the provision because the township does not have the right to assess penalties in this instance. He said it would be up to the courts to decide what happens on the license issue.
   Committeeman William Miscoski said the ordinance would be based on measures adopted by the Millstone and Plumsted township committees.
   Millstone adopted its ordinance last year with relative ease. Allentown declined to adopt a similar ordinance after borough officials said there wasn’t much need for it.
   Mr. Miscoski said the State Police, who have jurisdiction over Upper Freehold, have said the ordinance has been a "huge help" in Millstone.
   "Parties of these types have been cut in half," Mr. Miscoski said.
   Committeeman Charles Faber said he couldn’t support the ordinance. He said the suspension of an offender’s license is too harsh because the person wasn’t driving. He also questioned whether the ordinance gives the State Police more power to enter private property.
   Mr. Magee said the ordinance doesn’t do that; it just defines penalties for underage drinking on private property.
   He said there are no penalties on the books concerning this matter.
   Mr. Miscoski said the ordinance "gives parents a hammer" when it comes to discouraging underaged people from holding and attending parties where alcohol would be available.
   "The word is on the street, we’re open," Mr. Miscoski said, referring to the fact Upper Freehold is without an underage drinking ordinance while Plumsted and Millstone each has one in place.
   Committeeman Richard Osborn said the ordinance "gives us the opportunity to save some lives."
   Millstone’s ordinance allows for consumption of alcoholic beverages if the underage person is accompanied by a legal guardian or a blood relative who is older than 21.
   It permits drinking for religious purposes, such as ceremonies.