Salary Caps Set, And Sunday Liquor Sales Spark Discussion At Morristown Council

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Town Council won't shake up liquor laws in Morristown, with officials reminding local businesses that they aren't allowed to serve alcohol in town before noon on Sundays.

As the Morristown Green reported in late June, Dismal Harmony Distilling had approached officials about changing the town's Sunday "Blue Laws," or even scrapping them altogether, so they could hold liquor tastings and sales at the Farmers Market.

Licensed establishments are not allowed to sell, serve, or deliver any alcoholic beverages before noon on Sundays, per town regulations — though an out-of-town vendor has reportedly been offering libations to those at the Farmers Market.

The Morristown Partnership and some business owners were in support of changing the ban to increase sales, but Mayor Tim Dougherty and some council members said they want to keep a lid on sales before 12 p.m. Permits are available for special events such as the World Cup and St. Patrick's Day, Council President Nathan Umbriac pointed out.

Town attorney David Minchello said local regulations supersede any state farmers market permissions to sell alcohol, and that he would remind businesses of this for the future.

"After noon is completely fine" for vendors to sell alcohol or offer samples, he reiterated.

Council President Nathan Umbriac said he likes walking into town on Sunday mornings amid a quieter atmosphere, and pointed out that nearby residents may appreciate a respite from the weekend hubbub of diners and drinkers.

"Sunday morning should be a break," he said.

Councilman Chris Russo, who represents part of the Morristown Green and the Historic District in the Fourth Ward, said neighbors have already approached him about excessive noise.

"And they're very tolerant as it is, but I think to add this on top of it is to put even more burden on our neighbors who live in that Central Business District area," he said.

At the most recent meeting on July 9, town officials also approved measures that set salary ranges for non-union employees, and annual stipend increases for Mayor Tim Dougherty and the township council.

Annual salary caps for select positions are as follows: $215,000 for the town business administrator, $205,000 for the police chief, $178,000 for the chief financial officer/treasurer, $174,000 for the fire chief, $164,000 for the deputy fire chief, and $168,000 for both the town engineer and the public safety director.

Meanwhile, the mayor's salary is set at $27,501 and council members are set at $10,217; the council president receives an extra $1,000.

You can see all the approved annual salary ranges on pages 12-15 of this packet, and view the salary amounts for the mayor and council on page 17.

As a note, almost every mayor in Morris County serves part-time — except in Parsippany, where the office is a full-time paid position.