Conditions allow bar to stay open for now Johnny G's agrees to close earlier in light of residents' complaints BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer MICHAEL ACKER Johnny G's bar on Embroidery Street, Sayreville, is permitted to continue serving alcohol under new conditions. Johnny G's is open for business.The bar, which was ordered to shut down in September after residents complained to Sayreville officials, has reopened under conditions that limit its hours of operation. Johnny G's owner, John Golaszewski, agreed to the terms, which are part of an effort to appease residential neighbors who say the business brings problems such as loitering, public urination and littering to their neighborhood. The borough took action to close the establishment Sept. 25, but the state division of Alcoholic Beverage Control [ABC] then ordered that the liquor license be extended to a later date. An ABC hearing was held Nov. 1, with neighboring residents present, according to Borough Attorney Brian Hak, who updated the public on the bar's status during the Nov. 6 council meeting. "We were in court last week before the ABC in Trenton, resolving the case on a temporary basis," Hak said. The bar now closes at midnight Sunday through Thursday, at 1:30 a.m. on Friday nights, and at 1 a.m. Saturday nights. Live entertainment cannot go past 10:30 p.m., Golaszewski said. "I made the business decision not to fight the hours, because it would cost more in legal fees than it is worth at this point," Golaszewski said. "I incurred legal fees that I feel were unnecessary, because I do not think that the borough has allowed me any due process since day one." At the Nov. 6 meeting, Hak also mentioned the possibility of the business creating an area in the back of the property where patrons can smoke. "That was one of the primary causes of noise outside," Hak said. "If they relocate it to the back, hopefully there will be less noise." Golaszewski said this could be done immediately, but zoning restrictions do not allow alcoholic beverages outside the premises. This restriction includes the rear of the property, which is considered residential and therefore a nonconforming use. "We were looking into doing that originally, but the zoning guy said we can't do that," Golaszewski said. "After the meeting, he said he would look into it with Hak and my attorney. It is a great suggestion." Hak also said the ABC wants to hear from the borough and the bar by February, when it will assess how the new conditions are working out. "It is a very good start, and the key to this is going to be enforcement," Hak said. Antoinette Smith, who resides on a nearby street, said she called the police in regard to illegal parking, but it did not result in a ticket for the violator. She added that she also saw a driver who she believed to be intoxicated pull out of George Street. Council President Thomas Pollando advised Smith and residents who witness issues related to the bar to keep a record and track the situation's progress. He made reference to allegations by residents who said that intimidation was keeping people from complaining about the bar. "I know the concerns of the residents," he said. "They feel intimidated by coming here." Golaszewski told the Suburban that police have returned to normal patrols in the area, adding that the increased police presence cost taxpayers. "Why do [the neighbors] feel intimidated? Nothing ever happened to them," Golaszewski said. "The residents and politicians have been intimidating myself and my customers." Councilman Dennis Grobelny advised Smith and other residents to let Borough Business Administrator Jeff Bertrand know whether police are responding to their concerns. "From the results achieved down in Trenton, it shows yourself and your neighbors that it was worth it," Grobelny said. Grobelny suggested that the borough consider making Embroidery Street a one-way road. Golaszewski said Cecelia Street is in greater need of that sort of action than Embroidery. "He should do it on Cecelia Street," Golaszewski said, "because you can't get two cars down that street." Golaszewski told the Suburban that the borough had no jurisdiction to hold a hearing on Sept. 25 when the council resolved to shut down Johnny G's after hearing testimony from residents. "They have exposed themselves to litigation because they are using this as a political football," he said. Pollando told the Suburban that the governing body's motivation for taking action was not political, adding that he and Grobelny have both met with Golaszewski. "The motivation is far from political," Pollando said. "It is the quality-of-life issues for the residents in that area. The residents brought this to the attention of the council. We didn't solicit this, we are reacting to residents. Obviously, the ABC must have felt that they were justified to put conditions on Johnny G's." Golaszewski told the Suburban that the business' telephone number was not listed because it is owned by a third-party company. He added that residents who have concerns can reach the bar at (732) 238-7189.