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Lehigh Township tables proposed alcohol-permit changes for parks amid enforcement and liability concerns
Summary
Facing enforcement uncertainty and liability questions, the Board tabled revisions to the parks alcohol ordinance that would have removed park-specific naming and required permits for alcohol; Attorney Backenstoe recommended permit-holder insurance and hold-harmless language if alcohol is allowed.
The Lehigh Township Board on Feb. 24 discussed proposed amendments to Chapter 107-7 to change how alcohol is handled in township parks and ultimately voted to table the proposal for further work.
The Recreation Board proposed removing specific park names from the ordinance and requiring a permit for alcohol consumption in park areas or pavilion spaces. Supervisors questioned whether routine baseball games would need a permit and whether police could realistically enforce a rule that permits alcohol only under pavilions. Supervisor Cindy Miller said baseball teams should not treat parks as places to "sit in the parking lot and drink" and argued for clearer rules; other supervisors suggested a per-season permit for organized leagues.
Solicitor Backenstoe advised that permitting with insurance and a hold-harmless agreement can reduce Township liability if alcohol is allowed. He recommended reviewing the Township insurance carrier before approving a new permitting scheme.
Janet Sheats moved to table the ordinance changes for more study; the motion passed unanimously.
The Board requested additional work to define what constitutes an "event," whether seasonal permits are feasible for teams, and what enforcement resources the police would need if alcohol is allowed in some parks under permit.
