On Issue of Liquor Referendums, Town Council Has No Choice

is “compelled” to pass two resolutions tonight directing County Clerk Timothy Tyler to put referendums on the ballot that—if approved by voters—would allow the sale of liquor in town for the first time in a century, according to Mayor John Button.

Township Clerk Patricia Hunt that called for two ballot questions: One to allow the sale of alcohol in town, the other to restrict those sales to full-service restaurants at the Moorestown Mall. Both petitions met, and exceeded, the number of signatures required by state statute in order to appear on the ballot.

In light of the certifications, Button said—and Hunt and petitioner Seth Broder also confirmed—the town has no choice but to approve the resolutions and have the questions placed on the ballot.

“I am perfectly fine with putting it to the voters,” Button said. “Let’s let the voters decide.”

The mayor said he’s prepared for a large, vocal crowd at tonight’s council meeting, though he added, “It’s not going to change what we have to do. This isn’t the work of council at the moment.”

He welcomes the discussion and debate that has resulted from the referendum issue, even if at times it has become vitriolic.

“When this issue was on the ballot last time (in 2007), there was very little public discussion about the ,” he said. “I would like to think everyone’s reasonable and will consider the facts.”

Township council meets at 7:30 p.m. tonight at William Allen Middle School.