Moorestown To Regulate Alcohol Use At Private Clubs

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown now has regulation over liquor licenses granted by the state to certain clubs in town. Council unanimously approved a proposed ordinance on second reading that gives the township jurisdiction over club licenses at its meeting Monday night at town hall.

A club license is issued to a “corporation, association or organization that is non-profit and operating for benevolent, charitable, fraternal, social, religious, recreational, athletic or similar purposes.”

The ordinance approved by council gives the township jurisdiction over club licenses and restricts them to bona fide clubs that meet stringent conditions so the township has greater control of such licenses going forward.

A club license will only be issued for a licensed premises that is at least 10 acres in size, including contiguous lots under common ownership. No more than two licenses will be issued at a time, and no drinking of alcohol will be allowed between 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. each day. The annual fee for a club license will be $188 a year.

In September, representatives from the Moorestown Field Club went before council to request an amendment to the existing ordinance to allow for club licenses.

The Moorestown Field Club is a tennis and golf club that offers dining options for its members and has been in the township for more than a century.

At the September meeting, Attorney Seth Broder said having the license would provide value to the membership and help ensure the survival of the club. While some members have always brought their own alcohol, others would leave after playing golf to drink elsewhere.

Having this license would allow the club to remain competitive with others in the area, Broder said at the time. On Monday night, representatives from the club clarified that it was doing well financially.

“The club dates back to 1892, and we continue to be an asset to the town,” he said. “This is a way to give us control over our liability. We need it to be regulated, so we can enforce it.”

Residents were concerned about what would happen to the neighborhood, and the fact that drinking would be permitted for 16 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Officials clarified that although the license is valid for most of the day, it only allows for drinking during specific events during that time and not constant drinking throughout the day.

Residents were also concerned that although only members would be covered by the license, the club could use the fact that they have a club license as a way to market itself for new members.

While the Moorestown Field Club is not specifically listed in the ordinance, residents pointed out that it is the only entity in town that qualifies for a license under the ordinance.

Officials said they didn’t just any group of people to set up at a home, call itself a club and be able to obtain a club license.