Liquor license suspended at Freehold club
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer

FREEHOLD - The Walter J. Conley Lodge No. 1379 of the Improved Benev-olent Protective Order of Elks of the World, Throckmorton Street, has been fined $500 and will have its liquor license suspended from Feb. 18-22.

The disciplinary action is begin taken by the Borough Council in response to violations of Alcoholic Beverage Control laws and regulations, which occurred on Nov. 25.

According to Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina, there was a party at the lodge on that date that "got a little out of hand." He said there were no injuries reported and lodge officials realized the incident was unacceptable.

"We sat down and talked with [the directors of the lodge] and they are always very cooperative," Bellina said. "The beauty of this is that the lodge members are responsible neighbors and good partners in our town. They readily knew that errors were made and are willing and responsible enough to take the penalty imposed upon the lodge."

During the suspension the club will not be permitted to sell alcoholic beverages or permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages, among other restrictions. The licensee will be required to pay a $500 fine.

For the next two years the closing hour for special permit events will be 12:30 a.m. with "last call" being announced at 12:15 a.m. The licensee will not be able to sell, service or have any other guests consume alcoholic beverages after 12:30 a.m. and all patrons and guests must leave the club no later than 1 a.m.

Exalted Ruler Mark Bivins said the November incident involved a verbal disagreement that was taken outside of the lodge.

"It didn't really get to an argument and no one got hurt," Bivins said. "We called the police ourselves."

Bivins said the lodge executives do not tolerate or condone this type of behavior and officials have accepted the five-day suspension of the liquor license. Bivins said although he was aware of the suspension, he was surprised to hear about the $500 fine and the restrictions placed on the lodge for the next two years.

He said the representatives he sent to meet with municipal officials were not aware of those two items. He said he is hoping to meet with borough officials again in order to discuss the fine and the restrictions.