Measure would fight underage drinking parties Violators may face license loss, stiffer fines in Middletown BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer An ordinance intended to curb underage drinking parties at private homes in Middletown was introduced at last week's Township Committee meeting. Presently, according to Township Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger, there is no provision on the books stating that police can enter a private home to break up a house party. He also said that he and the rest of the committee referred to a similar ordinance in Ocean Township. Last week, North Brunswick enacted a similar ordinance, which calls for a $250 fine for a first offense and a $350 fine for a second offense. "We felt that it was definitely time to draft something like this for our township," Scharfenberger said. "We really did take the time to research this for quite a while, since the beginning of the year at least." In addition to the monetary penalties, a judge can decide to suspend the driving privileges of a person for six months. If the minor has not yet turned 17, his or her license would be suspended for six months upon turning 17. Mike Slover, chairman of the Middletown Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, said he supports the ordinance, one that he feels is overdue. "I'm 100 percent behind this ordinance because it's a tool that cops need," said Slover, who is also a retired veteran of the Middletown Police Department. "We are ahead of many towns on many things so at least on this, we can catch up finally. I want Middletown to be a leader in this aspect for many years to come." Committeeman Thomas Hall said he wants students in the town to know that there are consequences to their actions with the new ordinance. "Students need to realize that after this is adopted, things will change," Hall said. "From now on, students will be responsible for their actions when it comes to underage drinking within private residences." Township Attorney Bernard Reilly also noted that there are approximately 80 municipalities throughout the state that already have similar ordinances on the books. "I have seen some teenagers speak at meetings of the Middletown Municipal Alliance and some parents speak about how they don't see a problem if their kids stay at home and drink, and as a township we cannot condone this - there's no way," Scharfenberger said. A public hearing and vote on the ordinance's adoption is scheduled to take place at the March 19 Township Committee meeting.