Mendham, Chester Mayors Want Liquor License Reform

Russ Crespolini
·3 min read

NORTH JERSEY - Mayors for Main Street, an alliance of 22 Mayors across five counties that include the mayors of Mendham and Chester, announced that they will be joining the NJ Liquor License Reform Alliance spearheaded by Downtown New Jersey, an advocacy organization.

Downtown New Jersey recently formed the NJ Liquor License Reform Alliance to bring together organizations, public officials, and businesses to support liquor license reform in New Jersey. New Jersey’s liquor license laws are among the most restrictive and antiquated in the nation.

Current law caps liquor licenses based on a municipality’s population – one license per 3,000 residents. The cost of liquor licenses average $350,000 statewide but are known to sell for over $1 million in some cases. The restrictions and cost prohibitive nature of liquor licenses impede the economic development of many of our communities, especially our downtown's and main streets.

Mayors for Main Street joins the growing list of organizations supporting liquor license reform and are asking the Governor and Legislature to pass bipartisan legislation to reform our antiquated liquor license laws by creating a new affordable type of license that will allow more restaurants to serve non-spirit alcohol, like beer, wine, and cider.

Current liquor license holders will be compensated for any perceived loss of value resulting from the creation of the new licenses through tax credits. Bipartisan legislation (S2964/A4925) introduced by State Senator Vin Gopal a Monmouth Democrat and Assemblyman Brian Bergen a Morris Republican would accomplish this.

Founded in May of 2020, Mayors for Main Street is an alliance of Mayors representing towns spanning several New Jersey Counties. The group mission is to advocate for the swift and safe reopening of businesses within their communities. Businesses that have been drastically and negativity impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also serves as a platform for local elected officials to share experiences, ideas and best practices.

Downtown New Jersey is an organization of individuals, businesses, government agencies, and local and regional organizations that are passionate about downtown's. Count on us as your resource for anything regarding the vitality of our downtown's in New Jersey.

Mayor for Main Street is comprised of the following elected officials:

  • Larry Jacobs, Mayor, Township of Bedminster

  • James Baldassare, Mayor, Bernards Township

  • Mary Jane Canose, Mayor, Borough of Bernardsville

  • Matthew Moench, Mayor, Bridgewater Township

  • Janet Hoven, Mayor, Chester Borough

  • Marcia Asdal, Mayor, Chester Township

  • Jason Cilento, Mayor, Dunellen Borough

  • Paul Vallone, Mayor, Far Hills Borough

  • Brian Tipton , Mayor, Harmony Township

  • Doug Tomson, Mayor, Hillsborough Township

  • Jim Mengucci , Mayor, Lopatcong Township

  • Richard Onderko, Mayor, Manville Borough

  • Christine Serrano Glassner , Mayor, Mendham Borough

  • Sarah Neibart, Mayor, Mendham Township

  • Al Morgan, Mayor, New Providence

  • Greg Skinner, Mayor, Peapack Gladstone

  • Todd Tersigni, Mayor, Phillipsburg

  • Zachery Bray, Mayor, Borough of Raritan

  • Michael Marion, Mayor, Warren Township

  • Al Smith, Mayor, Scotch Plains

  • Matthew Murello, Mayor, Washington Township

  • Jeff Herb, Mayor, White Township

For more information on membership, visit https://www.facebook.com/Mayor... or contact MayorsforMainStreet@gmail.com

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This article originally appeared on the Mendham-Chester Patch