Council Split Over Outdoor Drinking on St. Paddy's Day

A potential "carnival-like scene" was how councilwoman Rebecca Feldman described what outdoor drinking could cause should one-day permits be approved for and for St. Patrick's Day.

The council voted 3-2 in favor, however, of approving applications for the two businesses on Tuesday, Feb. 22, which would allow the businesses to operate at ourdoor locations on March 12. Councilwoman Raline Smith-Reid also voted down the applications, while council members Alison Deeb, Michelle Harris-King and Anthony Cattano voted in favor. Council members James Smith and Kevin Gsell recused themselves from the vote.

The applications call for George & Martha's to have an "exstension of licensed premises to outdoor area behind" the restaurant, which is located at 67 Morris St., and for Sona Thirteen to have a "catering permit for outdoor area at vacant lot located at 45 Morris St.," which is located adjacent to Grasshopper off the Green.

A third application, submitted by Gracie Sunshine LLC (Colonial) for the same purpose, was withdrawn prior to the meeting.

Feldman said Morristown had "many establishments with indoor locations" and noted these two (after the withdrawal) were the only businesses in town seeking such permits.

Town Attorney Vijayant Pawar told the council at the meeting that there were no prior legal cases for or against such permits to determine what was allowed, and that approval was "at the discretion of the council."

Feldman said, as in the case of Sona Thirteen, "this is like a satelite location ... an outdoor bar for a day.

"I want to encourage visitors to go into all our establishments," she said. Additionally, she said many are concerned with the costs Morristown incurs in general during St. Patrick's Day and that "creating an outdoor establishment adds to the problem."

The applications for outdoor permits for George & Martha's and Sona Thirteen must now go before the state, which has ultimate say on whether the requests are approved.