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Beach Haven council renews liquor licenses, approves Marlin renewal over owner’s objection
Summary
The Beach Haven Borough Council approved multiple routine measures and a slate of liquor-license renewals June 9, 2025, including a contested renewal for the Marlin Restaurant & Bar (Resolution 154-2025), which passed 4–1 after a request by the Marlin’s representative to postpone for settlement talks.
At its June 9 meeting, the Beach Haven Borough Council approved routine municipal business — including the May 12 minutes, adoption of Ordinance 2025-14C to establish a handicap parking space at Sixth Street and Station Plaza, a set of consent resolutions, and a package of liquor-license renewals for the 2025–2026 season.
The council opened each license for public comment and approved most renewals without public input. Resolutions approved included, among others, 145-2025 (Burden Betty's LLC), 146-2025 (JC Beach Haven Tavern/Buckaloo's), 147-2025 (Beach Haven Marlin & Tuna Club), 148-2025 (Murphy's Market), 149-2025 (Lenhard, Inc./Don Raml's), 150-2025 (Black Whale Fish House), 151-2025 (Angleside), 152-2025 (Sea Shell Resort and Beach Club), 153-2025 (Tucker's Restaurant), and 163-2025 (Ocean Professional Theater Company). The consent agenda of other resolutions was also approved.
Resolution 154-2025, the renewal for the Marlin Restaurant & Bar, drew extended public comment from Mr. Batista, who asked the council to postpone action so the parties could negotiate a settlement rather than proceed and prompt an appeal. Batista said the matter relates to a 1999 settlement that included a federal court order and a decision by the ABC director, and he argued that removal of a condition permitting a "team night" should be resolved outside of court. Batista said he would be compelled to appeal if the license was approved before a settlement was reached: "I'm asking you tonight to postpone this renewal… I want to settle it and I'll do anything reasonable that you ask to settle this."
Council members and legal counsel discussed whether to delay; multiple members indicated they preferred to proceed with routine renewals while continuing settlement talks. On the motion to approve Resolution 154-2025, the vote was: Miss Anderson — yes; Mrs. Ball Miller — yes; Mr. McCaffrey — yes; Miss Snider — no; Mayor Colleen Lambert — yes. The motion carried 4–1.
The council also presented a bill list described in the meeting record as "3,368,45.99"; the figure in the transcript appears malformed and was not clarified on the record. The meeting closed to an executive session of roughly 20 minutes and reconvened at 7:06 p.m. before adjourning.
