Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Narberth board starts overhaul of facilities rental rules: recurring users, kitchen access and earlier weeknight closing proposed
Summary
Council heard staff recommendations to clarify fee exemptions, define 'recurring users', create a recurring-user agreement, set a 10 p.m. weeknight closing time, and resolve long‑standing uncertainty about kitchen use and alcohol tiers. The issue was referred to the Finance & Administration committee for detailed recommendations.
Borough staff told council Feb. 5 that the current facilities-rental policy (last updated circa 2019) contains ambiguous language about which events qualify as "free and open to the public" and which groups qualify for fee exemptions. Staff reported increased recurring bookings and building wear-and-tear (plumbing problems and aging tables) and recommended clearer forms, verification of nonprofit status when required and a recurring-user agreement to reduce staff time spent vetting applicants.
Staff outlined operational complications from back-to-back and late-night events that leave limited time for a small housemen staff to reset rooms. To address that, staff proposed changing weeknight (Sunday–Thursday) closing from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m., clarifying that events must be vacated and the room returned to its original condition by the deadline. Councilmembers generally supported the change and suggested building break-down time into the event schedule.
Other notable items in the review included a three-tier alcohol policy: (1) special events with vendor-served alcohol and indemnification, and (2) two additional tiers including BYOB distinctions; staff said the policy language and insurance requirements would be clarified with the solicitor. Staff also raised a longstanding unresolved question about kitchen access: New Horizons is currently licensed by the health department to use the kitchen, but the policy does not specify whether outside user groups can use the kitchen and under what conditions.
Council directed staff to send the facilities-rental policy, including the kitchen question and proposed closing-time change, to the Finance & Administration committee (F&A) for recommended language and implementation logistics. Staff said they will update the application form to list capacity details (tables/chairs), ask whether an event is free/open to the public and request nonprofit verification when applicable.
What happens next: F&A will develop specific fee and eligibility language, recommended lead times for applications and the draft recurring-user agreement; staff will return to council with recommendations and a proposed ordinance or policy update.
