At its most recent public meeting, Cherry Hill township council approved an ordinance that will allow shops selling alcohol inside grocery stores or supermarkets to expand their advertising footprint.
“This is an amendment to the ordinance which was amended a couple years ago, to allow the sale of alcohol within a grocery store,” said Township Business Administrator Erin Patterson Gill on May 10. “This will allow displays and merchandising of alcoholic beverages outside of the liquor-store area.”
Current township regulations stipulate that liquor stores are separate entities within the larger store and are prohibited from having promotions or displays outside. The approved measure will now permit liquor retailers to feature certain displays in the actual supermarket. Customers will still have to purchase any alcohol from the liquor store itself, according to Gill.
Implementation of the new legislation is dependent upon review and approval by the Department of Community Development.
This ordinance, as well as another measure regarding the ability of the township’s environmental board to apply for grant funding, are expected to have second reading and public comment at council’s next public meeting on May 24.
One piece of legislation being kicked down the road was introduced nearly two months ago and concerns control of small-cell carriers’ wireless telecommunications equipment on township rights-of-way. Initially approved upon first reading on March 22, the ordinance’s final passage has been held up due to council’s need for a more detailed look at its language. Fleisher said last month the ordinance would not be heard until at least May 10, if not later.
“That ordinance is being postponed,” he added. “We hope to take action on it either at the next meeting or the one as soon as is feasible soon after.”
In anticipation of a larger reopening of municipal buildings and services due to an increase in vaccinations, Angulo announced the township’s tax office would be open to the public again on May 17.
“We’re assessing every office and making sure that we can open up in a safe way, not only the residents, but also the employees,” she noted.
Gill stated that the township is looking at early to mid-June to open the majority of offices. Pending logistics, council intends to resume in person meetings sometime in June, Fleisher added..
Town hall has been closed to the public since March of 2020. Angulo and Fleisher made occasional forays into council chambers to record biweekly public meetings via Zoom.
In other news:
- Resident Amy Breslow was honored by council after she was recognized by the American Red Cross as a New Jersey Real Hero going above and beyond for her husband and many others. She advocated for proper hospitalization, care and medications for those suffering during the pandemic.
- Angulo also cited May as Mental Health Awareness Month, with many in the community and around the country affected by COVID isolation during the last 14 months. She urged anyone who may need assistance in dealing with those struggles to contact New Jersey Mental Health Cares at (866) 202-HELP.
