Increase is to the maximum permitted by state regulations.
By: Rachel Silverman
Taking a cue from Borough Hall, the Princeton Township Committee introduced an ordinance Monday to increase liquor-license fees for stores, bars and restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages within the municipality.
The township resolution, and its borough counterpart, come on the heels of new state regulations that give municipalities the power to charge more for existing licenses.
"Under Title 33 of the state statute, they changed it so you can adjust it at a local level," Township Attorney Edwin Schmierer said.
The proposed ordinance would increase 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 would fix the same increase in the annual fee to holders of a plenary retail distribution license, which covers liquor stores. It also would raise the fee for a club license from $150 to $188 a year. The same increases were in the borough ordinance.
This roughly 20-percent climb would bring the rates up to the maximum liquor-license charges permitted by the state.
"This is in keeping with one of our goals for this year, basically to look under every stone for non-tax revenue," Township Administrator James Pascale said at the meeting.
"It will affect about two or three bars or restaurants in the township," Mr. Schmierer estimated. "And one packaged goods store" he added, referring to Claridge Wine & Liquor at the Princeton Shopping Center.
The Monday night meeting also included a public hearing on a Littlebrook Road improvement project the construction of a 1,454-foot pathway from the rear entrance of Littlebrook Elementary School to Tyson Lane. The $23,000 project cost would be split between property owners adjoining the path and the township.
"We estimated 20 students could benefit by installing this pathway," Township Engineer Robert Kiser said, citing the conclusion drawn from three meetings with neighbors and discussions with the Littlebrook School principal.
In other business, leaf, branch and log collection found its way onto the township agenda Monday evening, as committee members voted to introduce a number of amendments to the ongoing program.
The proposed 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.
"We mean at 7 a.m., because that’s when Don’s crews may go down your street," Mr. Schmierer said. "It’s a technical change."