Township Restaurant Plans Outdoor Seating

Members of the township Planning Board unanimously voted to allow in to have outdoor seating in the alcove outside its door.

Vincent Gazzillo, owner of Vincent's Trattoria, went before the township Planning Board last week to ask for the members' blessing to put the tables outside. Planning Board Chairman Gus Calamari said it was "questionable" if Gazzillo had to seek approval from the board, but said he wanted it done as a voice vote to be included in the minutes of the meeting. Gazzillo had already gotten permission from the owner of Washington Town Center and the movie theater.

Councilman Steve Cascio said Gazzillo was in a "unique position" because his restaurant entrance is on the side of the building. The alcove where the seating is proposed doesn't block the sidewalk or the entrance to the movie theater. Gazzillo said there would be enough room to have the outdoor dining even if the movie theater had a large crowd with a line out its door.

Gazzillo explained that the tables and chairs would be inside the columns that are in that area and a divider, which might have plants or a vinyl covering, would stand from column to column. Gazzillo said the divider wouldn't be too high, probably about five feet, and would have the Vincent's Trattoria emblem on it.

The only concern Planning Board Engineer Paul Azzolina brought up was the possibility that the property across the brook at a higher elevation might be able to see or hear the diners.

Gazzillo said the eatery will be open until 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 p.m. weekends. He added that currently he doesn't get much of a late crowd and the latest table is typically at 9 p.m. He also said there won't be any music played in the outdoor area to cut down on noise.

"We have great clientele. There's been no riffraff," Gazzillo said. "They've been very considerate. I think the outdoor is going to be [the same]."

All members of the Planning Board who were present at the April 27 meeting voted to allow the outdoor dining. Eugene Dumaresq and Thomas Pinnick were not at the meeting.