WEST MILFORD – You may soon be able to buy an alcoholic drink or packaged good before noon on Sundays.
The Township Council will consider an ordinance that will move the time that liquor can be sold in the municipality to 11 a.m. on Sunday as opposed to noon.
Mayor Michele Dale said that the recommendation comes from the Chamber of Commerce.
According to member businesses of the chamber, other communities allow for the sale of alcohol earlier than West Milford, which causes residents to go out of town to stores or restaurants in order to buy alcohol or have a drink with a meal.
Council President Peter McGuinness said that he opposed the change because of the religious significance of the day.
“People can get what they need on Saturday,” he said.
The other council members said they would support an ordinance with the earlier time, and voted to create the law for consideration at the next meeting.
“The only Irish guy (on the council), and I vote no,” McGuinness joked following the vote.
The proposed ordinance will be on the agenda for introduction at the next meeting, April 24, and then will come up for final adoption two weeks later.
The township currently allows the sale of alcohol Monday-Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m., just restricting the sale start time to noon on Sundays.