Moorestown Sets Guidelines For Private Club Licenses

MOORESTOWN, NJ — After previously passing legislation that allowed non-profit organizations that have strict requirements to apply for club liquor licenses, Moorestown Council was tasked with setting in place a process for obtaining that license.

Council approved that plan as part of its consent agenda Monday night. The minimum bid to obtain a license was set at $500. The legislation allowing for the club liquor licenses was passed in October, one month after representatives from the Moorestown Field Club went before council to request the change in local ordinance.

Read more here: Moorestown To Regulate Alcohol Use At Private Clubs

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."

In Moorestown, the license would be issued to 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.

At the time, 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.

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.

The resolution passed Monday night sets a deadline of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, for those interested to file an application for a license with the township.

In addition to a check for the minimum bid, when filing the application, organizations must include $200 for the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control fee, and $188 for the township’s application fee.

They must also include any proof that they are qualified to hold a club license, and any additional information requested by the township and/or the police department.