Outdoor Drinking On Agenda For Westfield Council Meeting

WESTFIELD, NJ — Spring has sprung, the weather is getting warmer and Westfield residents soon might be able to drink freely outdoors in certain designated areas.

The Westfield Town Council will hold a meeting on Tuesday, and a new ordinance on the agenda — if passed — would allow residents to consume alcoholic beverages in certain designated areas of town.

The new ordinance explains that certain areas of Downtown Westfield have long been hubs of entertainment and activity, as there are numerous food and beverage places in the area for people to enjoy, and permitting people to have open containers of alcohol in certain areas would "enhance their enjoyment" of downtown.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ordinance also states that providing more opportunities for people to congregate in open air, while social distancing, is something that interests a lot of people.

If the council passes this ordinance, it would potentially allow people — ages 21 and over — to drink alcohol on the streets during town-sanctioned events, block parties and special Downtown Westfield Corporation-sponsored events like "Sweet Sounds Downtown."

Here are the specific spots in Westfield that would allow open containers of alcohol, according to the ordinance:

• Quimby Street from Central Avenue to Elm Street
• East Broad Street from Prospect Street to Elm Street
• Elm Street from North Avenue to East Broad Street
• "Foundation Park" — portion of 454 South Avenue West, Block 3101 — only during town-sponsored events
• Portion of public sidewalk adjacent to Central Avenue located at Block 3107, Lots 6, 13 and 14 — only during town-sponsored events
• On any street during a residential block party that is approved by a permit

Within these areas, there would be specific designated areas where people could drink from open containers — mainly in the proximity of outdoor dining and seating areas.

Tuesday's meeting will take place in Council Chambers at 8 p.m. and will be streamed virtually on Facebook.

The full agenda can viewed on the town's website.

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