Easttown Mulling New Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance

EASTTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA – A slew of proposed amendments to the Easttown Township Code are set to be reviewed and possibly adopted at an upcoming meeting township supervisors meeting. One of those amendments covers various aspects of alcoholic beverages in the township and sets rules and penalties for those who violate the proposed ordinance.

The proposed code ordinance, titled "Alcoholic Beverages," covers definitions; prohibition of drinking; carrying or possessing alcoholic beverages in certain public areas; possession of open containers and presumed intent; exceptions; lawful use of private premises; and violations and penalties of violating the code.

Violations created under the proposed ordinance are:

• Drinking in certain public areas prohibited
  • No person shall drink any alcoholic beverage in any vehicle or otherwise upon a public place or right-of-way in the Township
• Carrying or possession in certain public areas prohibited
  • No person shall carry or possess alcoholic beverages with the intention of consuming the same upon a public place or way
• Possession of an open container; presumption of intent
  • The possession of any open container containing an alcoholic beverage in a vehicle or otherwise upon public place or way shall be presumed to be with the intent to consume such beverage.

Anyone who is convicted of violating the new alcoholic beverages ordinance may be subject to a maximum $1,000 fine and costs of prosecution, including reasonable attorneys' fees. In the event of default on payment, the violator can be sentenced to 30 days in jail.

One of the new amendments stems from the alcoholic beverages code.

Parks and Recreation Areas section of the code will feature language regarding alcohol in parks should the amendments get approved.

The amendment says bringing alcoholic beverages into township parks and recreation areas will violate the new code. Additionally, being intoxicated in parks and recreation areas will also violate the new code.

There are exceptions to the alcoholic beverages code, such as drinking at an outdoor cafe, drinking at a special event approved by the township, and more.

These and many other code amendments will be reviewed and possibly adopted at the Monday, Jan. 15 township supervisors meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Easttown Township Building, 566 Beaumont Road, Devon.

You can see all the proposed code amendments online here.

Image via Easttown Township