Underage Drinking Ordinance to Be Voted on Thursday

After months of debate, the is expected to vote on the at Thursday's regular meeting.

The vote was postponed in July a few days after the council held a special meeting in the auditorium specifically to allow the public to ask questions and comment on the ordinance, which would impose penalties on underage individuals found drinking or in possession of alcohol on private property. The council was not pleased with the low turnout (35 people) of the special meeting and decided the timing of the meeting, in mid-summer, might have prevented interested residents from being able to attend.

The which has the support of was originally . If enacted, it would impose fines and the possible suspension or loss of a driver's license to underage drinkers. On the first offense, the fine would be about $250. Currently, police are able to penalize underage drinkers who are found to be in possession of alcohol on public property only.

Since the vote was postponed, the public will have had the opportunity to come forward and speak about the ordinance at five council meetings (including Thursday). So far, no one from the public has commented on the ordinance at the meetings.

Thursday's meeting will be held at 8 p.m. in the council chambers at the Kinnelon Municipal Building on Kinnelon Road.