Moorestown Council To Discuss Breweries, Community Events Monday

MOORESTOWN, NJ — The discussion concerning the sale of alcohol in Moorestown continues next week as Township Council considers legislation to bring breweries, distilleries and winery salesrooms to the township.

The proposed ordinance to amend zoning regulations to allow for these businesses is set for Monday night, and comes two weeks after Township Council gave final approval to a proposal to allow liquor stores in the township. Read more here: Retail Liquor Licenses Get Final Approval In Moorestown

There is a difference between liquor stores and the businesses that will be considered Monday night. While a liquor store sells alcohol directly to the public as a retail business, microbreweries are considered light manufacturing.

In many cases, those who visit breweries take a tour to see how the alcohol is made, they don't sell alcohol that isn't made on site. They are not permitted to serve food, but customers are allowed to bring in food from other restaurants. Read more here: Liquor Stores, Microbreweries Under Consideration For Moorestown

Council members have said they believe the addition of microbreweries will help restaurants that have struggled through the coronavirus pandemic, particularly with the indoor dining capacity increasing to 50 percent. Read more here: Moorestown Mayor Hopes Indoor Dining Increase Helps Businesses

There will be a public hearing and final vote on a proposed ordinance regarding the regulation of community events. The proposal specifically states that event organizers won't need to obtain a permit, as they have in the past.

It also states that certificates from the Department of Health will be needed to serve food, no smoking is allowed, and organizers must restore the area to the condition it was in before their event. Read more here: Council Introduces New Rules For Community Events In Moorestown

There will also be public hearings and final votes on the following proposals:

• An amendment setting salaries for patrol officers, detectives and corporals; and
• A bond ordinance appropriating $2,140,000 and authorizing the borrowing of $2,140,000 in bonds or notes for the 2021 Roads Resurfacing Program.

Council will also discuss upcoming interviews involving candidates for the position of Township Manager during the workshop portion of the meeting. The interviews are scheduled to take place over the course of two days next week. Read more here: Moorestown Council To Interview Township Manager Candidates

There will also be an update on Percheron Park, and a discussion of the township’s noise ordinance. There are eight items on the consent agenda.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and will be held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. Members of the public can participate in the meeting just the same as if at an in-person meeting.

The mayor will open the floor for public participation in accordance with normal protocol. To send questions or comments prior to the meeting (no later than 4 p.m. the day of the meeting), you may email councilmeetingcomments@moorestown.nj.us. Type "council meeting comments" and the meeting date in the subject line.

To join by teleconference, dial 1 201-523-5900 and then enter Conference ID: 311 302 981 followed by the # sign or 1 833-450-2679 (toll free). To join using the MSTeams client, visit https://www.moorestown.nj.us/.

On the homepage, under "Upcoming Events," select the meeting you wish to attend; click "Join the MSTeams Meeting" under "link" or visit https://www.moorestown.nj.us/; on the top of the homepage, click on "Live Meetings" and click on the "Township Council MS Teams Meeting Link."

The meeting will also be broadcast via live stream on the Township's website, but the livestream is not interactive, and you will not be able to participate in the meeting in this format. The live stream may be accessed by going to https://www.moorestown.nj.us/ and clicking on "Live Meetings" in the upper righthand corner of the homepage.

This will bring you to the "Agendas, Minutes, Meetings & Recordings" page. Once there, click on the "Township Council Meeting" link of the meeting you wish to watch.