By Sunayana Prabhu
RED BANK – With the Christmas tree officially installed at Riverside Gardens Park this week, borough council members announced holiday events, discussed short-term rentals expected to peak in the upcoming festive months, and acknowledged two new cannabis business applications. Council members also formally welcomed the borough’s new CFO Thomas Seaman at the Nov. 9 regular meeting.
The two new cannabis applications the council acknowledged are from Divine Garden, LLC, which has applied for a class 1 (cultivators) license and 918 RB LLC which has applied for a class 5 (retailers) license.
Short-Term Rentals
Late this summer, the borough council proposed an ordinance to define the permitting process for short-term rentals and regulate where they could operate. Council member Michael Ballard, who also chairs the code enforcement committee, said he is still working on the ordinance draft with Police Chief Darren McConnell and borough attorney Dan Antonelli before introducing it to the council. “There’s apparently a state regulation that these short-term rentals will also be subject to a 3% state tax and we want to make sure that we capture that in the ordinance as well, but it will not be introduced today,” Ballard said.
He noted that the purpose of the short-term rental ordinance is to protect and maintain the borough’s inventory of long-term rental property for residents who want to live in the borough for an extended period and to protect affordable housing. He said suggestions from Shawna Ebanks, community development director, to include a caveat to exclude some single-family homes, was added into the ordinance. “This is a work in progress that is open to further discussion,” Ballard said.
Speaking in favor of short-term rentals in the borough, longtime resident Vahid Walker said his single-family home rented as an Airbnb is not just a source of additional income for him but also serves special hospitality needs of people who may need them. Walker suggested the council could use “common sense regulation” to factor in the special needs of renters “whether they need a kitchen or a backyard, or they just prefer a separate type of family environment.” Walker urged the council to “not reject potential tourism in a time we need to support small businesses.”
Holiday Cheer
The council shared the line up of events and activities adding to the festive season this year. “Holiday cheer is headed to Red Bank,” council member Ed Zipprich said. “A holiday is one of the most exciting festive times of the year for a downtown,” he noted.
In addition to the lights and the décor, council members Kathy Horgan and Kate Triggiano shared some events expected to provide opportunities for businesses to participate in a time-honored tradition.
The annual town lighting and Holiday Express concert event is scheduled for Nov. 25; the holiday scavenger hunt will take place from Nov. 25 through Dec. 24; Small Business Saturday is Nov. 26 with several new promotions.
Free parking will be available downtown Nov. 25 – 27 and Dec. 12 – 25.
Horgan said there will also be two special mailboxes in town and “Santa will be responding to all children – and adults, I guess – who leave a letter.” The mailboxes are located outside RiverCenter at 140 Broad St. and at the corner of Shrewsbury Avenue and Dr. James Parker Boulevard.
“Santa” will also be calling Red Bank children between 6 and 8:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15. Red Bank schools will be sending information home about the program.
Residents can participate in a holiday home decorating contest organized by the parks and recreation department; the top three homes will receive gift baskets. Sign up by calling the office at 732-530-2777, extension 222.
The Red Bank Public library hours have been extended until 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
In support of mental well-being throughout the season, Horgan said the library has introduced “tele-talks.”
“If you need to have a private conversation the library’s tele-talk booth can be used for job interviews, your telehealth appointments or if you simply want to make a personal and confidential call,” she said. “Everyone should take advantage of all these services.”
And finally, council member Jacqueline Sturdivant reminded residents, before they become immersed in holiday cheer, “COVID vaccines and boosters are available at St. Anthony’s on Wednesdays starting at 10 o’clock and closing at 3:30 every Thursday.”
The article originally appeared in the November 17 – 23, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
