BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Green Knoll Grill appeared in court on Monday in an effort to fight back against the township over conditions limiting its hours of music and a prior one-day suspension.
The hearing on June 12 was held at the New Jersey’s Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control(ABC) Office of Administrative Law before Judge Kim Belin addressing the one-day suspension issued by the township to the Green Knoll Grill. The suspension was ordered in August 2022 claiming the restaurant violated a noise ordinance in June 2022. Read More: 1 Day Suspension Issued For Green Knoll Grill After Noise Violation
Additionally, Attorney David Cassidy who represents the restaurant, at 645 Route 202/206 in Bridgewater, and Green Knoll Grill Owner Lisa DiChiara also spoke at the hearing about the restrictions tied to their liquor license renewal.
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Cassidy called the conditions “inappropriate, burdensome, and unnecessary,” in a letter to the court and Township Council.
“For the reasons set forth in our appeal of the 2022 special conditions, and the fact that the Green Knoll Grill has been a law abiding citizen for the past several years without incident of any significance, all conditions should be removed as inappropriate, burdensome, and unnecessary. These are not lifelong conditions but reviewed annually and our client does not consent to continued special conditions on its liquor license and we request removal. Certainly there are town-wide noise ordinances, and other municipal regulations and state laws that would govern our client that make the special conditions inappropriate, burdensome, and unnecessary.”
DiChiara also gave testimony and provided evidence to the court showing that the restaurant has been complying with the conditions.
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Cassidy said the township did not present any witnesses on its behalf.
Closing statement will be heard on July 12 before Judge Belin makes a decision.
During the June 8 Township Council meeting, the restaurant’s liquor license was renewed for 2023 with the same special conditions that require a security guard on certain nights and a schedule of when music is allowed.
The music schedule in the conditions includes:
Inside (Year-Round) – DJ Entertainment
Outside: From March 1st to November 1st
Outside: Annually
Prior to the license being renewed, the Council read Cassidy’s statement above.
Councilman Timothy Ring noted at the meeting that Cassidy was not present at the meeting.
“He sent a letter with his opinions but we have no opportunity to ask him any questions relative to his statement or any clarification,” said Ring.
The music issue came to light over the summer of 2022 when a couple of residents complained about late-night noise. Read More: Noise Complaints Over Green Knoll Grill Continue In Bridgewater
Other residents and patrons of the restaurant then started a petition to show their support of the Green Knoll Grill’s live music. Patrons also showed up at the Aug. 15, 2022 meeting to defend the restaurant. Read More: Green Knoll Grill’s Outdoor Music May Be In Jeopardy
An OPRA request filed by Patch to the township requesting to see if there were any noise complaints or violations issued to 22 West Tap & Grill, The Bradford Hotel & Rooftop Bar, Tommy’s Tavern and the Marriot Hotel found only two loud music complaints from 22 West over the past two years.
See the resolution of the liquor license renewal below:
RENEWAL OF PLENARY RETAIL CONSUMPTION LIQUOR LICENSE by Alexis Tarrazi on Scribd
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