Township Considers Block Party Fee

Residents might have to pick up more than the cost of barbecue for their next summer block party if a new ordinance is passed requiring a $50 block party permit fee.

Neighborhoods are currently required to file for an application to close one or more streets in the event of a block party, and the amended "Street Closings" ordinance would add a $50 fee to process the application.

Township Administrator Bruce McArthur said at the April 13 Township Committee meeting that Bernards incurs added costs for each street closure, having to work with the Department of Public Works to have barricades delivered and taken away after the event. McArthur suggested that it might be appropriate for the township to recoup those expenditures from the residents hosting the party. The costs were estimated at about $50 per party by the DPW, according to Township Clerk Denise Szabo.

The Township Committee voted 3-1 to introduce the proposed ordinance for a public hearing at their next meeting on May 11. Township Committee meetings are held at Town Hall on 1 Collyer Lane starting at 8 p.m. and include opportunities for public comment.

Township Committee member John Carpenter voted against the measure, with Mayor Scott Spitzer, Deputy Mayor John Malay and Township Committeewoman Mary Pavlini voted in favor of holding a hearing on the ordinance – Township Committeewoman Carolyn Gaziano was absent at the meeting.

Carpenter said after the meeting that he did not think that targeting block parties was a necessary cost-cutting move. "I understand the rationale [for the ordinance], but, come on, it's a block party," he said.