Suspension Paused As Green Knoll Grill Fights Bridgewater Over Noise Violation

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A one-day suspension issued to the Green Knoll Grill that was imposed by the Bridgewater Council has been paused by New Jersey's Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control(ABC) for now.

Attorney David Cassidy who represents the restaurant, at 645 Route 202/206 in Bridgewater, filed an appeal to the council's Aug. 15 suspension and asked the ABC to stay the order that was set to be enforced on Friday, Sept. 16.

As of Tuesday, the ABC said Bridgewater's "action of license suspension for one day in Resolution 22-08-15-228 is hereby STAYED pending adjudication of this case in the Office of Administrative Law." (See the order staying the one-day suspension below)

The restaurant will now remain open on Friday until a hearing before the ABC is scheduled in the coming months to review the suspension, said Cassidy.

Bridgewater can still request a modification of the stay and seek to impose a penalty before the hearing.

When asked for comment on the order, Patch was told: "the Township has no comment."

Cassidy noted that Green Knoll Grill also filed an appeal to all of the conditions on its liquor license which includes restrictions on when music is played inside and outside, having a security guard, and more.

"They have no justification for their suspension," said Lisa DiChiara, who has owned the restaurant for almost 26 years. "They are just coming after us."

DiChiara noted that the restaurant never had a violation in 26 years and that other restaurants in town are not subjected to the same liquor license conditions.

"We just want to be treated like everyone else in Bridgewater," said DiChiara.

Below is the music restriction schedule issued for Green Knoll Grill:

• Inside (Year-Round) DJ Entertainment
  • Thursday from 10 PM to 1 AM
  • Friday from 10 PM to 1 AM
  • Saturday from 10 PM to 1 AM
• Outside: From March 1st to November 1st
  • Monday from 12 PM to 2 PM
  • Tuesday from 12 PM to 2 PM
  • Wednesday from 12 PM to 2 PM
  • Thursday from 12 PM to 2 PM and from 4:30 PM to 9PM
  • Friday from 12 PM to 2 PM and from 4:30 PM to 9 PM
  • Saturday from 12 PM to 2 PM and from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
  • Sunday from 12 PM to 5 PM
• Outside: Annually
  • April 14th until 9:30 PM for Annual Grand Opening Day
  • May 5th until 9:30 PM for Annual Cinco De Mayo Celebration
  • July 4 until 9:30 PM for Annual Independence Day Celebration

The Green Knoll Grill's suspension was unanimously approved by the council at the Aug. 15 meeting after it was found that on June 10 live music was performed until 9:23 p.m., which is past the 9 p.m. curfew. Read More: 1 Day Suspension Issued For Green Knoll Grill After Noise Violation

The issue came to light over the summer when a couple of residents complained about late-night noise. Read More: Noise Complaints Over Green Knoll Grill Continue In Bridgewater

Other residents and patrons of the restaurant then started a petition to show their support of the Green Knoll Grill's live music. Patrons also showed up at the Aug. 15 meeting to defend the restaurant. Read More: Green Knoll Grill's Outdoor Music May Be In Jeopardy

An OPRA request filed by Patch to the township requesting to see if there were any noise complaints or violations issued to 22 West Tap & Grill, The Bradford Hotel & Rooftop Bar, Tommy’s Tavern and the Marriot Hotel found only two loud music complaints from 22 West over the past two years.

Stay Order Final by Alexis Tarrazi on Scribd

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