Little Silver voters go to the polls in November to decide if, for the first time, the borough will have its own neighborhood restaurant that serves alcohol. The last time this issue was placed before the residents in 1981 it was soundly defeated by a 2 to 1 margin. The now defunct Farmhouse Restaurant, a popular borough eatery, requested the referendum in order to be competitive with surrounding establishments. The measure would allow for only one license given that the state Division of Beverage Control limits licenses one per 3,000 residents and the borough’s population hovers just under 6,000. Little Silver is promising to draft a referendum that allows for something “rational and reasonable” but of course, that’s up to the voters to decide. The most protected right in the state is home rule, which will stand all the way to the State Supreme Court in most cases. New Jersey has one of the strongest home rule protections in the country if not the strongest, with few exceptions. That allows towns to maintain the character they choose and Little Silver residents should certainly decide whether this is something they want or not. But, economically, as well as for convenience, it is the correct decision. Every town loves a local restaurant, where they see their friends and neighbors and friends; a local Cheers, where everybody knows your name. Westwood Road’s Matt Kelly says he wants to create a place in keeping with Rumson’s Molly McGuire’s, a place that would be welcoming to families socializing after sports and other community events or simply going out for a burger. He has been the force behind the referendum, although the license would be subject to public auction. Mayor Robert Neff said the response he has heard from the public is that residents were for it, thinking it would add character to the town but he said a fair number of residents said it should be a referendum, as it should. He does understand the concerns some residents have and those are legitimate as well and should be addressed in the details of the referendum to ease any fears and concerns. Then, let the people speak.
