See CONTAINER

Photo By Douglas D. Melegari

Tables and chairs set up outside the Grazing Affair storefront in Medford Township for patrons.

CONTAINER

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south to South Street to its intersection with South Main Street.”

The fact that one was not previously allowed to consume alcoholic beverages in this corridor of town (outside of an establishment licensed to sell alcoholic beverages or on private residential property) may come as a surprise to the public, however, with Medford Mayor Charles “Chuck” Watson acknowledging at a recent council session that he had observed at least some individuals walking around downtown, particularly during the town’s previous Food Truck Nights, with such beverages.

He described that under the previous rules, businesses and restaurants there were “potentially put in awkward position” to enforce them on Food Truck Nights, for example, during what should otherwise be an “opportune time” for the establishments to draw as many customers as possible and promote a relaxing, friendly atmosphere downtown.

“We have gotten quite a few requests for this from the establishments that are there,” explained Watson during a recent council meeting of why council was aiming to provide for an Open Container Area in the village. “And they came from not only the establishments that are selling it, but the other businesses that are there, like the Grazing Affair for instance, that would like you to be at a brewery or Braddock’s Tavern and then come and sit out front and have a sandwich and drinks. So, I think it helps the traffic in the village.”

Grazing Affair sells fresh produce and artisanal meats and cheeses on boards as a form of “social dining.” They pitch their offerings as “an ideal choice for garden parties, business meetings, happy hours, open houses, wine tastings or other small social gatherings.”

Among the requirements contained in the new law, however, is that the alcoholic beverages consumed within the Open Container Area “must be purchased from a restaurant or other establishment licensed to sell alcoholic beverages within the Open Container Area.” Additionally, such consumption can only occur “during the hours of operation when the licensed establishment is open.”

Additionally, for “enforcement purposes,” any licensed establishment must serve any alcoholic beverage in a “clear plastic cup that displays a visible logo, name or other identifying symbol from the licensed establishment selling the alcoholic beverage.”

According to Watson, having alcoholic beverages served in clear plastic cups with an entity’s logo on them versus red Solo cups will help to ensure such beverages are not simply coming from “somebody that brought a case of beer” into the Open Container Area.

Police Chief Arthur Waterman agreed that requiring clear plastic cups will allow for better enforcement of the new rules.

“I want to make sure enforcement is not difficult or tricky in any way,” declared Councilwoman Lauren Kochan, noting she concurred with Watson in establishing an Open Container Area in the village.

Prime explained that the state had passed a law “allowing for an Open Container Area in a portion(s) of a municipality, or in an entire municipality, where persons over 21 years of age can carry and consume open containers of alcoholic beverages,” with Watson noting that state statute was enacted “more recently.”

“I think the feeling is limiting it to the village area only,” said Prime of what came out of his discussions with Watson.

A statement contained in the ordinance, outlining its “purpose and intent,” notes, in part, that the “Township of Medford declares and finds that designating an area in the Historic Village area of Medford Township within which open containers of alcoholic beverages can be carried and alcoholic beverages consumed from said containers will serve to continue the revitalization of Medford Village and the establishments operating in the area, will encourage visitation to the Medford Village area and provide a benefit to the residents and citizens of Medford Township as a whole.”

The mayor noted that the governing body had “talked about doing this for quite a while” and that Brad Denn, a former councilman, is “a big proponent of this.”

PUBLIC NOTICE JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST NOTICE OF RELATIVE RISK SITE EVALUATION AND RESTORATION ADVISORYBOARD MEETING

Thursday,September 22, 2022, 6:30-8 p.m. EdwardHolloway Senior Citizen and Community Center Cookstown, NJ Virtual Option Also Available Public Invited to Attend

The RAB meeting provides an update on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) environmental restoration projects. Discussion topicsinclude an update on the PFAS investigation including the Relative Risk Site Evaluation, and updates on projects under the Joint Base Performance Based Remediation (PBR) Contract. TheRAB meeting will be in person withparking at the New Hanover Township Municipal Complex located at Main Street andHockamick Road. Youcan also attend the meeting by computer or phonethroughMSTeams. Please emailKatrina Harris at kharris@bridgeconsultingcorp.com if you would like information on connecting by computer or phone. The Air Force completedthe Relative Risk Site Evaluation (RRSE) for JBMDLtosupport sequencingofenvironmental restoration work.The RRSE process is used to evaluate the relative risk posed by an environmental restoration site in relationtoothersites.Restoration sitesinComprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,and Liability Act (CERCLA) phases prior to remedy-in-place are evaluated in the process. Relative risk is not the sole factorindetermining the sequenceofenvironmental restoration work, but it is an important consideration in the priority setting process. The Overall Site Category scoreswere“High” forall validatedPFOS/PFOA sites at JBMDL.

ThisRelativeRisk SiteEvaluation is issued in accordance withthe DoDDefenseEnvironmental Restoration Program and is available for public comment from September 22 to October 21, 2022. This RRSE can be foundat AFCEC CERCLA AdministrativeRecord(AR): ar.afceccloud.af.mil.Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Continue to site”,then select“Active Duty,”scroll down theInstallation List and click on “JBMDL-McGuire, NJ”, then enter 4078 in the “AR #” field. Then click “Search” at the bottom of the page. Click on the spy glass to view the document.

Formoreinformation or to submit written comments on the RRSE, please contact James Richman, AFCEC/ CZOE,at(609) 754-2267 or email at James.Richman.1@ us.af.mil.

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