Money, project size appear to carry the day in liquor license vote

It is appalling to learn about the way the Freehold Town-ship Committee decides how liquor licenses are awarded in this town. Since the most important segment of the story appeared at the end of the second page of a Dec. 11 News Transcript article, I would bet most readers missed the best parts.

Freehold Township has two licenses to sell, for which four applications were received. All four were deemed to be acceptable, but only one license was granted. Of course, that one license will apply to two of the applications, since they were submitted by the same developer. As long as he joins his two restaurants in any way, including with a parking lot, one license will cover both establishments.

Here is the rest of the story: The winning firm is WHF, a subsidiary of JDN Development Corp., which has an application filed with the Planning Board for a large building project to include department stores, restaurants, and a hotel. Conclusion: The bigger your project, the more welcome you are.

WHF included a contribution of $650,000 in cash with its application. According to one committee member, "It’s part of the overall package they presented to the town to show that their project is best."

Conclusion: Money talks here, and the bigger the "contribution," the better your approval chances. At least other applicants now know what the going rate is to be best.

An existing unit at the Free-hold Raceway Mall was denied because it would not add a "ratable." Conclusion: New building is favored here so we can add taxable square footage to cover open space.

Advice to restaurants: Think "big, new buildings" only, and pay the most "contribution" money so your project can be best. In the spring when another license is likely available, you, too, can buy the favor of the committee with these attributes.

This is the same Township Committee that has erected signs patting themselves on the back for all the preserved land in town. The next time you run into one of them, ask how much of that land is really county-owned Turkey Swamp Park and Wildlife Man-agement acreage.

Kelly Barry

Freehold Township