By John Tredrea, Special Writer
LAMBERTVILLE — A proposed ordinance prohibiting the underage consumption and possession of alcohol on private property was introduced by a unanimous vote of the City Council Monday night.
The measure is scheduled for a public hearing and adoption vote at council’s July 18 meeting.
Mayor David Del Vecchio and Police Director Bruce Cocuzza said the ordinance addresses a problem that surfaces very rarely in the city.Underage possession and consumption of alcohol has been more of a problem in suburban areas, where houses are farther apart, thus making neighbors less able to notice if underage drinking is taking place at a residence.
Director Cocuzza said he “can’t remember” there being a single police problem with underage drinking within the city limits.
He did add, however, that adoption of the ordinance would give law enforcement officials the ability to impose penalties and require counseling or community service if minors were found in violation of the law.
After debating the issue for several years, the Hopewell Township Committee, which governs a primarily suburban area nearby, passed a similar measure.
The proposed Lambertville ordinance, which has been recommended for adoption by the Hunterdon County prosecutor’s office, states that anyone found guilty of violations could be fined $250 for a first offense and $350 for subsequent offenses. The court also could suspend a guilty party’s driving privileges for six months.
The proposed measure does allow for two exceptions:
— It would not prohibit an underage person from consuming or possessing an alcoholic beverage in connection with a religious observance, ceremony or rite, or from consuming or possessing an alcoholic beverage in the presence of, and with the permission of, a parent, guardian or relative who has attained the legal age to purchase and consume those beverages.
— Under the other exception, the proposal would not prohibit the possession of alcoholic beverages by an underage person while he or she is actively engaged in the preparation of food at a place of employment or while enrolled in a culinary arts or hotel management program at a county vocational school or post-secondary school educational institution.
