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Morrisville council directs solicitor to draft repeal of park alcohol ordinance; motion passes 7–0
Summary
After a lengthy discussion about liability, insurance and lease restrictions, Morrisville Borough Council voted unanimously to direct the solicitor to draft an ordinance to repeal the existing rule permitting alcohol in borough parks. The solicitor will prepare language for public review before any vote to adopt the repeal.
MORRISVILLE, Pa. — Morrisville Borough Council voted unanimously to direct the borough solicitor to draft an ordinance that would repeal the existing ordinance permitting alcohol in borough parks.
Council members and the borough solicitor discussed insurance exposure, lease restrictions for church‑leased park land and the extra staffing and monitoring costs the borough would face if alcohol were permitted on public property. Solicitor Adam Plager told council the next step is drafting formal ordinance language for review: “It would be to direct the solicitor to draft an ordinance to repeal the prior ordinance that permitted alcohol sales in borough parks.”
Multiple council members and staff emphasized that the change would not ban private businesses from selling alcohol or prevent private event organizers from obtaining special‑event permits through the state liquor control board. Plager noted that special event permits and private liquor licenses are separate processes and that certain park leases and insurance policies could make on‑park alcohol problematic.
After discussion, a motion to direct the solicitor to prepare the repeal ordinance was made, seconded and approved by voice vote; the presiding official announced the motion “passes 7–0.” The solicitor’s office will draft the ordinance, follow required public‑notice and advertisement steps, and return the proposed text to council for deliberation and a formal vote on adoption.
Council members said they expect public review and comment before any final action. The solicitor repeated that advertisement and public‑notice procedures must be followed before council could vote to adopt or reject the draft ordinance.
