Point Beach Passes Bar, Parking Measures

Brick locals who frequent Jenks and Martell's: last call might be earlier this summer.

And even if it isn't, don't expect to park your car overnight and take a taxi home after partying.

The Point Beach Borough Council has voted narrowly for preliminary approval to mandate that bars stop serving alcohol at midnight or pay fees.

The council also voted – on second, final reading – to outlaw overnight parking on streets close to the ocean.

A second reading, public hearing and adoption of the bar closure ordinance is scheduled for the council meeting on May 1.

Earlier in the meeting Tuesday, the council voted 4 to 2 against the original ordinance calling for bars to stop serving alcohol by midnight or pay fees.

The meeting was crowded, with many standing along the sides of the meeting room.

A number of those attending were owners, attorneys and employees of Jenkinson's and Martells, along with representatives of other businesses and residents.

It was clear from sentiments expressed at the microphone during public comment periods that people had divergent opinions on the issue of when bars should have to stop serving alcohol or pay fines. However, when it came to applause, it seemed like those against the earlier deadline for serving alcohol had the greatest number of supporters in the room.

Ron Gasiorowski, an attorney for Jenkinson's and Martell's, spoke at the microphone after the vote. He asked Corbally if he has a conflict of interest in voting for the earlier bar closings because he is a Realtor at a local real estate office in District 4 and he might stand to make more money on commissions if there are earlier bar closings.

Corbally responded that he did not think he had any conflict of interest because he believed the earlier bar closings would help improve the quality of life for the town and improving quality of life was an objective he had campaigned on.

Owners and attorneys for Jenkinson's and Martell's said after the meeting that they did not have an immediate response to the vote.

Also, parking on residential streets in "District 4," the neighborhood closest to the beach and boardwalk, will soon be off limits during the summer overnight hours except for taxpayers.

That means people who frequent boardwalk bars will not be able to leave their cars parked overnight on local streets.

The plan does not allow parking on residential streets in District 4 from midnight to 6 a.m. except for taxpayers, or those they share with, who have parking placards from the town, from the Monday before Memorial Day to the Monday after Labor Day, said Councilman Michael Corbally, who had initially proposed the plan.

During a meeting that went on for a few hours, the council voted 4 to 3 for the parking plan, which calls for each taxpayer to receive five transferable parking placards.

The placards can be shared with tenants or visitors.

The measure was one of two opposed by some local businesses.

Representatives of Jenkinson's and Martell's said after the meeting they did not have an immediate comment regarding the parking plan or the earlier bar closing ordinances that were passed Tuesday night.

Editor Daniel Nee edited this article for use on Brick Patch. It was adapted from original articles on and on Point Pleasant Patch.