Lower Merion Debates Allowing Alcohol on Township Property

Lower Merion officials are debating allowing alcoholic beverages to be served at fundraisers for township facilities and services, though no decision has yet been made.

Specifically, Friends of have expressed an interest in holding a wine and cheese party there to raise funds, Assistant Township Manager Pat Ryan told commissioners at a township properties committee meeting Feb. 1. Parks Friends groups have also said they would like to hold fundraisers at parks or on trails, where beer or wine could be available. 

“This is aimed at fundraisers to enhance services at a township facility,” Ryan said. “We’re not suggesting opening this to all sorts of unaffiliated nonprofits.” 

Events would be approved on a case-by-case basis and would involve charging a fee for the event but not per drink, Ryan added.

Per the recommendation to the Board of Commissioners, no more than two such events could be held at any one facility each year. Under existing township code, alcoholic beverages are permitted only at and at . 

Kate Galer, president of Friends of Linwood Park, spoke during public comment to express her support for the proposal, saying that hosting such an event in the exact space that would benefit from the funds raised would be a good tool to bring in more donations.

Still, several commissioners were concerned about the potential ill effects of such a policy.

“Once you open the door to this, I don’t see how you close it,” said Commissioner George Manos. “While this is a democracy, there may be some things that you may have to look at where you respect the minority.”

Commissioner Cheryl Gelber said her primary concern is safety, and Commissioner Paul McElhaney said parents might send kids to a park without knowing there was an event there where alcohol was being served.

"This building belongs to everyone in the township at every age," Manos said of Ludington. "Those people ought to be able to come here at any time and feel comfortable there."

The application is unrelated to last year’s Oktoberfest held on Cricket Avenue in Ardmore, Ryan said. The Board of Commissioners and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board made an exception for that event.

Also unrelated to this request, at this week’s building and planning committee meeting the Ardmore Initiative is requesting permission from the board to hold an event similar to Oktoberfest, noted Township Manager Doug Cleland. The event, a Cricket Avenue Craft and Brew Fest, would be held on April 28 on Cricket Avenue between Cricket Terrace and Athens Avenue in Ardmore.

Ardmore is interested in asking for a permit for an event twice a year, Cleland added.

“I think we’re talking about two issues: the first, revising an ordinance, and a code, and I believe that our staff has enough to incorporate so we don’t need to take action today,” said Commissioner Rick Churchill.

Churchill encouraged the Friends of Ludington Library to proceed with their request at a future meeting and to have township staff come up with a revision of the code and ordinance separately.

Manos asked that the library also have an alternative plan.