Merchantville public commenters press Borough Council on proposed consumption lounge; decision moved to caucus

Mayor Edward Brennan opened the Jan. 13 meeting of the Borough Council of Merchantville and heard several public comments on a proposed consumption lounge operated by a business named Gynsyng.

Resident Kerri Menzer asked the council who would vote for the lounge and said residents’ rights and concerns about impairment should guide the decision. "I don’t want to be in conflict but I want to know who is going to vote for the consumption lounge and why? Why do you want to increase the impairment of the people? Residents have rights," Menzer said.

Councilmember Sean Fitzgerald responded during the public-comment period that he would vote yes if the application came before the council, arguing that alcohol and marijuana have been illegal in the past and should not be treated differently. "I will be voting yes, alcohol and marijuana were illegal in the past. They are along the same line and should not be treated differently," Fitzgerald said, adding that he believed the business would monitor the lounge.

Local business owners also spoke in favor. Nicole Northan, who said she represents the Merchantville business association, said the lounge would draw customers to town and provide tax revenue; she also noted her husband, a police officer, said certified testing for impairment covers both alcohol and marijuana. "It is beneficial to the town for the tax that will be paid," Northan said. Jenn Phillips, another business owner, said the applicant "has integrity and should be approved for a consumption lounge."

After public comment, the council listed the consumption-lounge item under Old Business and moved consideration to the caucus meeting for further review; no formal vote or final action occurred that night. The move to caucus means the application will receive additional internal discussion before any public vote.