Special Events Law Adopted In Point Pleasant Beach

POINT PLEASANT BEACH – The borough council has approved a special events ordinance that officials say shouldn't impact attempts to bring the Elk's fundraiser back to town.

The ordinance requires approval for use of municipal property for all special events, including any event, festival, performance, competition, display or other organized public event in which public rights-of-way or public property will be used.

The Point Pleasant Beach police chief shall determine how many police officers will be needed to provide adequate traffic control, and all traffic patterns devised by Point Pleasant Beach Police personnel shall be strictly adhered to, the ordinance says.

The Point Pleasant Beach police chief shall prepare an estimate for use of municipal personnel to maintain traffic control, public safety, and security for the event. Read the rest of the ordinance here.

Mayor-elect Paul Kanitra said he was told by other council members that the ordinance won’t effect the Elks "and our ability to bring them back."

He said he abstained from the vote last meeting simply "because it’s very convoluted and if there are any negative intentions, I’ll just repeal it next year."

During the spring, Point Pleasant Beach officials once again denied the Point Pleasant Elks's application to host an event this year on the same day as the Festival of the Sea – a year after they were denied from having their annal Oktoberfest in Point Beach.

Mayor Steve Reid offered the same reasons as he did last year for why the Elks Lodge #1698 cannot hold their event during the festival, just as the organization did for two decades until Point Pleasant Beach officials denied the permit in 2018.

Reid said the police department is spread too thin handling two of the biggest events the borough has each year, and on the same day. Reid offered to help the group, but said they should do it on a different day.

The Elks used the Arnold Avenue Park in Point Pleasant Boro for their September event. "I heard it was a great event last year," Reid said. "I wish them the best ."

Reid has lamented that the event "is being played as a political football" because Kanitra has suggested that the Elks' request should be considered.

Kanitra has expressed frustration that the Elks' application hasn't been considered more quickly.