MOORESTOWN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey has a new law that would allow towns to relax the state’s prohibition on open consumption of alcohol in some public places — if the towns want to. So far, the reaction from some mayors has been lukewarm at best.
The law gives municipalities the option to designate specific areas for relaxed enforcement of open-container laws. None of the town officials who spoke to KYW Newsradio are jumping at the opportunity to allow adults to drink in public.
Some, including Moorestown Mayor Nicole Gillespie, said they already allow drinking in public for special events, and the town has also recently approved permanent outdoor dining at restaurants, so she said there doesn’t appear to be any demand for the new law right now in Moorestown.
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Washington Township Mayor Joann Gattinelli had a similar response. She said it is something they may consider down the road, but right now there doesn’t appear to be any reason to implement the law.
It was a firm “no” from Deptford Mayor Paul Medani. He says he has reviewed the bill and does not think it is a good fit for his town either.
KYW Newsradio contacted several other cities’ officials. A few said they do not yet know how their municipality will proceed. A number of them have not yet responded.
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