Catering Hall Re-Opens After Judge's Order

A judge has reinstated the certificate of occupancy for The Grove catering hall on Pompton Avenue after the parent company filed suit against the township last week.

The certificate of occupancy was withdrawn by Construction Code Officials on Sept. 23 following months of complaints from neighbors of the facility, whose streets have been jammed with cars belonging to patrons attending events at the 700-seat catering hall.

Victor Herlinsky Jr., an attorney representing Second Gen Catering, which owns The Grove, said after tonight's Council meeting that the suit will hopefully buy some time to give both sides a chance to calm down and reconcile their differences.

Herlinsky said The Grove represents "a big ratable" to the Township, and said some issues, such as patrons self-parking cars on nearby side streets, are simply beyond their control.

"We're trying to get a cooling off period. I think we will be able to work out a mutually beneficial agreement with the Township. We're open for business and we want to stay that way," he said.

Township Manager Thomas Tucci confirmed Monday that the company had sued to retain their certificate of occupancy, which will allow the facility to hold scheduled events as planned, also noting that The Grove had held functions during the time its certificate of occupancy was suspended. However, he said he did not know if or how that fact would affect proceedings going forward, and said a number of meetings are in the works between Grove and Township principals.

The matter will ultimately be remanded back to the Planning Board, who will consider the language in the original approval of The Grove's application.

Deputy Mayor Joseph Chiusolo said Monday after the meeting that although he wants The Grove to be a success, he said that success cannot come at the expense of residents' safety.

"I am hoping that because of the repeated offenses by The Grove that this issue will finally come to a resolution so they can continue to operate and prosper, and that the quality of life and safety of residents in the community, and people who frequent The Grove, will not be jeopardized," he said.

A date has not yet been set for The Grove to appear before the Planning Board.