Fernando vs. Fernando
9/28/16 Council Meeting
PERTH AMBOY – When it came time to vote on the resolutions for the Consent Agenda, Councilman Fernando Gonzalez was adamant about discussing R-421 separately. Authorizing the 2016-2017 renewal of plenary retail consumption license #1216-33-068-009 held in the name of Royal N Inc. t/a Court House Inn at 417 Fayette St. with conditions effective September 29, 2016.
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez stated, “We are not allowing this establishment to play any music? Music should be set by decibels. We are not here to destroy businesses.”
City Clerk Elaine Jasko rattled off a list of items that this establishment has been cited for. “Since June 2015, the police have been dispatched to this establishment 63 times (some dealing with loud music or noise) and 8 summonses have been issued. There is a pending suit in court. An Officer was attacked by 3 patrons as he escorted 3 under aged patrons out of the establishment.”
Fernando Gonzalez said, “Because of the noise complaints, this establishment has applied for a double door, but was denied by Code Enforcement.”
Acting Law Director Louis Rainone told Gonzalez they had violated the noise ordinance.
Acting Police Chief Larry Cattano came forward to shed more light on this problem. He said, “Double doors were discussed.”
After Cattano’s statement, Business Administrator Adam Cruz said, “The problem was that those doors might encroach on the right-a-way of the sidewalk. The owner of the establishment thought that the double doors would take away from the design of the inside. A line has to be drawn somewhere so that they can operate within the guidelines set forth under this Resolution.”
Cattano told the Council, “Multiple callers have called in to complain at different times about this business.”
Finally Councilman Irizarry had heard enough and stated, “Good businesses don’t get 63 complaint calls and when do we draw the line? We are concentrating on the business, but what about the people living near the business? We are not there when their windows rattle at all different times of day and night when loud music is playing.”
When it came time to vote on R-421, it was moved by Councilman William Petrick and seconded by Councilman Joel Pabon. Councilman Fernando Gonzalez abstained. The other Members of the Council voted “Yes.” R-421 passed.